Page 79 - Fairbrass
P. 79

great,       Oh,  if  I  could  only  be  a  mighty
                                    orator ! ’

                                         ‘ Ah 1 F  the  Kneeling  Knight  replied
                                    compassionately,  ‘ I  knew that was certain to
                                    be  your  pet  wish,  for  the  simple  reason  that

                                    you  caiVt  speak.         All  human  beings  who
                                    are  worthy of the  name  set  out with  a  desire

                                    for what  they  never  can  attain/
                                         'And  I  shall  never  be  of  any  use  in  the

                                    world,'  sighed  Fairbrass.
                                         ' Hush  !'  said  the  Kneeling  K n igh t;

                                     1 don't say  that,  but  listen  to  this.’
                                         Unperceived  by  Fairbrass,  some  of  the

                                    younger  choristers  had  been  brought  into
                                    the  church  for  hymn  practice,  and  now,  to

                                    the soul-stirring1  accompaniment of the great
                                    organ,  the  boys1  fresh  voiccs  sang :

                                           ( I f   on  our  daily  course  our  mind
                                            Be  set  to  hallow  all  wo  find,
                                           New  treasures  Still,  of  countless  price,
                                            God  will  provide  for  sacrifice.

                                           ‘  Tlie  trivial  round,  the  common  task,
                                           W o u ld   furnish  alJ  w e  ought  to  ask,
                                            Room   to  deny  ourselves*  a  road
                                           T o   bring  us  daily  nearer  God.1
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