Is it Degenerate ?
Is it degenerate, to fall from Wealth,1
To live in straitened shores, on scanter fare,2
To put on homespun, and to house in bare3
Simplicity, the hardy nurse of health ?4
Is it degenerate, if Power or Stealth5
Pluck from the brow uncertain coronet,6
And unsubstantial pride of sword or gun,7
And make a realm on which sun never set8
A realm of spirit needing not the sun ?9
Nay, these are accidents which never yet10
Could hurt nobility. But one thing may11
Brand on our brow the mark, “ Degenerate ” :12
To lose the vision of the truly Great,13
And lapse from effort on the starry Way !14