What weight of woe we owe to thee, Accurst comparative degree! Thy paltry step can never give Access to the superlative; For he who would the wisest be, Strives to make others wise as he, And never yet was man judged best Who would be better than the rest; So does comparison unkind Dwarf and debase the haughty mind. Make not a man your measuring-rod If you would span the way to God; Heed not our petty "worse" or "less," But fix your eyes on perfectness. Make for the loftiest point in view, And draw your friends along with you. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHAMBER MUSIC: 2 by JAMES JOYCE SEVEN TWILIGHTS: 2 by CONRAD AIKEN THEN AND NOW by CECIL DAY LEWIS QUESTION by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON CHAMBER MUSIC: 9 by JAMES JOYCE MARTHA WASHINGTON by SIDNEY LANIER |