Classic Poem

Why hast thou breathed, O God, upon my thoughts
And tuned my pulse to thy high melodies,
Lighting my soul with love, my heart with flame,
Thrilling my ear with songs I cannot keep —
Only to set me in the market-place
Amid the clamor of the bartering throng,
Whose ears are deaf to my impassioned plea,
Whose hearts are heedless of the word I bring?

And yet — dear God, forgive! I will sing on.
I will sing on until that shining day
When one perchance — one only it may be —
Shall turn aside from out the sordid way,
List'ning with eager ears that understand.
Until that day — thy day — help me to bear
The hurt of cold indifference and the pain
Of seeing all the multitude rush by,
Drowning thy music with their cry for gold!