WHAT boots it to be great? <br />To live in royal state <br /> And feast with kings, <br /> Since now all things <br /> One doom await? <br />5 <br />What boots it to be fair? <br />Sweet eyes and golden hair, <br /> And youthful bloom, <br /> Since in the tomb <br /> All foulness there? <br />10 <br />To live in royal state— <br />That is not to be great; <br /> Sweet eyes and golden hair— <br /> That is not to be fair. <br />What is it to be great? <br />15 <br />Content with thine estate; <br /> To serve thy God and King <br /> In everything— <br /> That is it to be great. <br />What is it to be fair? <br />20 <br />Sweet modesty to wear; <br /> To keep thine honour sure, <br /> Thy bosom pure— <br /> That is it to be fair. <br />Much boots it to be great, <br />25 <br />Much boots it to be fair.<br /><br />Frederick George Scott<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/an-ode-12/
