Exalted Master, he would not presume—
This poor weak mortal, who doth dare to stand
Before thee now in body,—e’en to shape
One wish that thy successor he might be
Within this ancient consecrated place.
He is not worthy e’en to place one step
Across the threshold of this mystic shrine,
But what he dares not wish for, for himself,
He must perceive in deep humility
Since powers of fate have of necessity