Poetry break

Great God, I Ask Thee for No Meaner Pelf
by Henry David Thoreau
Great God, I ask for no meaner pelf

Than that I may not disappoint myself,

That in my action I may soar as highAs I can now discern with this clear eye.
And next in value, which thy kindness lends,

That I may greatly disappoint my friends,

Howe'er they think or hope that it may be,

They may not dream how thou'st distinguished me.
That my weak hand may equal my firm faithAnd my life practice what my tongue saith

That my low conduct may not show

Nor my relenting lines

That I thy purpose did not knowOr overrated thy designs