For what are men better than sheep or goats/ That nourish a blind life within the brain,/ If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer/ Both for themselves and those who call them friend?/ For so the whole round earth is every way/ Bound by gold chains
This gray spirit yearning in desire/ To follow knowledge like a sinking star,/ Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.
This truth within thy mind rehearse,/ That in a boundless universe/ Is boundless better, boundless worse.
I have fought for Queen and Faith like a valiant man and true;/ I have only done my duty as a man is bound to do.