Being born of a worldly age I bow

To all the lessons history may show,

For oft when choosing action for this hour

A lucid past can light the way we go.

What has been done before may well convey

How cause and consequence entwine their art,

So distillations of steeped time may sway—

The seasoned truths wise counsel would impart.

Thus may we learn from faults of those before,

And glean much more than triumphs e’re revealed;

For deeming knowledge past as ancient lore

Blinds us to studied sequence time has sealed—

For what shall stand must rest on what’s transpired;

And lessons past can wills and ways inspire.