Forgive me, masters of the mind!
At whose behest I long ago
So much unlearnt, so much resign'd -
I come not here to be your foe!
I seek these anchorites, not in ruth,
To curse and to deny your truth; Not as their friend, or child, I speak!
But as, on some far northern strand,
Thinking of his own Gods, a Greek
In pity and mournful awe might stand
Before some fallen Runic stone -
For both were faiths, and both are gone. (Matthew Arnold)

Forgive me, masters of the mind! At whose behest I long ago So much unlearnt, so much resign'd - I come not here to be your foe! I seek these anchorites, not in ruth, To curse and to deny your truth; Not as their friend, or child, I speak! But as, on some far northern strand, Thinking of his own Gods, a Greek In pity and mournful awe might stand Before some fallen Runic stone - For both were faiths, and both are gone.

Matthew Arnold

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awe behest child curse fallen far foe friend greek might mind northern pity ruth seek speak stand stone strand thinking truth masters gods

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