Heard I a Preacher loud and high,
With speech mellifluous,
Who deftly wove before mine eye
Doctrines circuitous.
I heard him, ay, I gladly heard,
Heard all he had to tell—
Thinking full many a prettier bird
Warbled a tithe as well.
Then thought I: Friend, full sweet to hear,
Yet say, were I in need,
Were all about dim and drear,
What then might be your deed?
Full glibly do the lips relate
Expressions that the heart
Never hath gripped, whose pomp and state
Of utterance dwell apart.
And what their Worth? Barren and bald
If it be that the Hand
Wakes not so ready, whene’er called,
To make request command!
To speak, to speech, to vaunt and preach,
How passing easy ’tis!
But to stretch forth a loving hand
To souls in Ill’s abyss,—
Such is the noblest part of Life;
Ay, well to know it deep!
For Speech, ’mid daily Stress and Strife
Oft rocks the Deed asleep!