  Play thou on men as on a hÁrp’s strÍng: Though of themselves they lifeless are In them thy spirit’s music shall ring. Breathe thou in them as through a reed Thy soul’s strong message, through them declare To the dead world thy living need. They are to thee as the senseless words That embody thought’s full-felt commands; Thy passive tools, obedient hands To serve thy purpose, thy trusty swords: They shall thy beauteous will express Though they be graceless & purposeless. Yea, live thou in men as their life’s will, So long as life is, & good & ill.
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