Let not young souls be smothered out before
They do quaint deeds and fully flaunt their pride;
It is the world's one crime its babes grow dull,
Its poor are ox-like, limp, and leaden eyed.

Not that they starve, but starve so dreamlessly;
Not that they sow, but that they seldom reap;
Not that they serve, but have no gods to serve;
Not that they die, but that they die like sheep.