Classic Poem

Each day a beggar-woman at the portal
Of God's high house, by urgent need emboldened,
I ask three gifts for you, my well-beloved,
Three gifts beyond the wealth of djinn or mortal.

Courage to stand now all the earth seems quaking,
And wise men grow perplexed and kingdoms totter
Now faith is sifted, old tradition tattered,
A broken world in need of each man's making.

Love that shall find your kith in friend and stranger,
Brother in man, and beast in saint and sinner,
Cleanse you of grudge, or pride, or grievance,
Bidding you seek Christ in an ass's manger.

Fun ever quick to kindly speech and laughter,
Swift with a jest the day your heart is breaking.
Fun that shall cheer dull years and send you whistling
Clear-eyed and cool to meet the brave Hereafter.

With these you shall not need men's praise or pity,
Defeat shall brace you, conquest make you humble,
So you shall fight and march and sing till sunrise
Lights up the walls of the Celestial City.