Classic Poem

ADDITIONAL LINES

— They had their choice, you say, their will was free,
And nothing hindered each and every one
From thinking always as he should have thought
From doing always as he should have done.
So had he found the right and saved his soul
Look you, this choosing seems a simple thing
But could we always choose as we would choose,
When nothing seems to bind us in our choice
What painters, sculptors, poets, we might be!
— Lay me those flakes of color thus and so —
Here are the brush and palette, — you are free —
Make me a picture such as Raphael drew!
Here are the block and chisel, you may work
Just as you will with them, — choose well your strokes,
You'll find the Queen of beauty in the stone!
Spread open on your desk the ample page
That holds the treasures of our English tongue;
You have your choice of each and every word;
And you are free to place them as you will:
Write me a play like Hamlet, or a song
Like his who sang of Eden and its woe!
Lend me your patience O ye solemn stars.