Words of Cheer for the Tempted, the Toiling, and the Sorrowing

What Is Noble?

WHAT is noble? to inherit
      Wealth, estate, and proud degree?
There must be some other merit,
      Higher yet than these for me.
Something greater far must enter
      Into life’s majestic span;
Fitted to create and centre
      True nobility in man!

What is noble? ’tis the finer
      Portion of our mind and heart:
Linked to something still diviner
      Than mere language can impart;
Ever prompting—ever seeing
      Some improvement yet to plan;
To uplift our fellow-being—
      And like man to feel for man!

What is noble? is the sabre
      Nobler than the humble spade?
There’s a dignity in labour
      Truer than e’er Pomp arrayed!
He who seeks the mind’s improvement
      Aids the world—in aiding mind!
Every great, commanding movement
      Serves not one—but all mankind.

O’er the Forge’s heat and ashes—
      O’er the Engine’s iron head—
Where the rapid Shuttle flashes,
      And the Spindle whirls its thread;
There is Labour lowly tending
      Each requirement of the hour;
There is genius still extending
      Science—and its world of power!