WHO, harnessed in his mail of Self, demands To be men's master and their sovran guide? -- Proclaims his place, and by sole right of pride A candidate for love and reverence stands, As if the power within his empty hands Had fallen from the sky, with all beside, So oft to longing and to toil denied, That makes the leaders and the lords of lands? He who would lead must first himself be led; Who would be loved be capable of love Beyond the utmost he receives; who claims The rod of power must first have bowed his head, And, being honored, honor what's above: This know the men who leave the world their names. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SATIRES OF CIRCUMSTANCE: 9. AT THE ALTAR-RAIL by THOMAS HARDY POCAHONTAS [JANUARY 5, 1608] by WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY ON IMAGINATION by PHILLIS WHEATLEY THE SABBATH LAMP by GRACE AGUILAR |