Statesmen whom only statesmen understand,

Artists whom only artists can command,

Sages whom all but sages scorn, whose fame

Dies down in lies, in synonyms for shame

With the best populace beneath the sun.

God give us tasks that martyrs can revere,

Still too much hated to be whispered here.

Would we might drink, with knowledge high and kind

The hemlock cup of Socrates the king,

Knowing right well we know not anything,