For some the narrow lane of "must,"
Be mine the big, broad "may";
Better to love--be happy--trust,
Than simply to obey.
O troubled over many things,
Choose thou the better part;
Service unconscious of itself,
And childlikeness of heart.
Why cast your burden on the Lord
And strive to drag it, too?
Call work an opportunity
Till it grows joy to you.
"Ought" is a servant's work, not mine;
I sign no grudging pledge;
I am a child and son; my toil
Is only privilege.
Who'd be a thrall to vain debates
Of "were this right or wrong,"
When he might toss these cares to God
And catch instead a song!
Why breathe earth's heavy atmosphere,
Forgetful we can fly,
When the high zenith, "God is Love,"
Allures us to the sky?
The virtues hide their vanquished fires
Within that whiter flame,
Till conscience grows irrelevant,
And duty but a name!
--Frederic Lawrence Knowles.