Poem “Noblesse Oblige” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Maurine and Other Poems

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American Literature – American Poetry – Ella Wheeler Wilcox – Poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox – Maurine and Other Poems
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Noblesse Oblige

I hold it the duty of one who is gifted,
And specially dowered in all men’s sight,
To know no rest till his life is lifted
Fully up to his great gifts’ height.

He must mold the man into rare completeness,
For gems are set only in gold refined.
He must fashion his thoughts into perfect sweetness,
And cast out folly and pride from his mind.

For he who drinks from a god’s gold fountain
Of art or music or rhythmic song
Must sift from his soul the chaff of malice,
And weed from his heart the roots of wrong.

Great gifts should be worn, like a crown befitting!
And not like gems in a beggar’s hands.
And the toil must be constant and unremitting
Which lifts up the king to the crown’s demands.

< < < After The Battles Are Over
And They Are Dumb > > >

American Literature – American Poetry – Ella Wheeler Wilcox – Poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox – Maurine and Other Poems

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Maurine and Other Poems

Noblesse Oblige

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