THE THINGS THAT ARE MORE EXCELLENT.
By William Watson
To HUG the wealth ye can not use,
And lack the riches all may gain—
O blind and wanting wit to choose,
Who house the chaff and burn the grain!
And still doth life with starry towers
Lure to the bright divine ascent.
Be yours the things ye would; be ours
The things that are more excellent. The grace of friendship—mind and heart
Linked with their fellow-heart and mind,
The gains of science, gifts of art,
The sense of oneness with our kind,
The thirst to know and understand—
A large and liberal discontent;
These are the goods in life's rich hand,
The things that are more excellent. In faultless rhythm the ocean rolls;
A rapturous silence thrills the skies;
And on this earth are lovely souls
That softly look with aidful eyes.
Tho dark, O God, thy course and track,
I think Thou must at least have meant
That naught which lives should wholly lack
The things that are more excellent!
—William Watson.