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OttersSwim -> Think thou a worm? (9/18/2009 11:57:22 AM)
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With apologies to William Shakespeare....
WORM. O that I am here so unworthy, So low I bow to You, a worm, a petty man unfit to be in Your presence, to lick Your feet, nor gaze on Your likeness.
SHE. What's he that wishes so?
Are you then just a worm? No, my fair man;
If ye are mark'd just to be below the dirt, we are enow
To do us all loss; and if so to live,
The fewer men who think as you do, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more who thinks as do you!
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns Me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in My desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour and pride in those who serve Me,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, My coz, wish not a man from such ground, nor a hundred such.
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more methinks would share from Me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, thou self named “worm”, through My host,
That he which hath no stomach to stand before Me with pride and honor,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not be in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to stand with Me.
This day is call'd upon males to stand.
He that outlives this day, and comes to his feet,
Will stand a tip-toe when he is nam'd,
And rouse within him feelings of pride and honor.
He that shall live this day beside a Lady, and see old age,
Will think on this time and with his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is an especial day.', and remember Her
Then will he strip his trousers and remember his marks,
And say 'These wounds I had of Her.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did for Her in those days.
Then shall the names of those he surrounded himself with,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
An this story shall the good man teach others;
And a day shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world.
But we in it – the honor of service - shall be remembered-
You few, you happy few, you band of brothers;
For he to-day that stands with Me today
Shall gain My esteem and consideration; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition, and strengthen his spine;
And gentlemen in all parts now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That stood with Me on this day.
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