Forbearance

Hast thou named all the birds without a gun?

Loved the wood-rose and left it on its stalk?

At rich men's tables eaten bread and pulse?

Unarmed, faced danger with a heart of trust?

And loved so well a high behavior,

In man or maid, that thou from speech refrained,

Nobility more nobly to repay?

Oh, be my friend, and teach me to be thine!

- Ralph Waldo Emerson