The Crowning Gift

I have had courage to accuse;

And a fine wit that could upbraid;

And a nice cunning that could bruise;

And a shrewd wisdom, unafraid

Of what weak mortals fear to lose.

I have had virtue to despise

The sophistry of pious fools;

I have had firmness to chastise ;

And intellect to make me rules,

To estimate and exorcise.

I have had knowledge to be true;

My faith could obstacles remove ;

But now, by failure taught anew,

‚I would have courage now to love,

And lay aside the strength I knew.