1. The freeman knows no bond if he
Has paid his thanks to Him whose hands have blessed.

2. True bondage is but sinfulness; the good
Are free although in chains; the thankless still

3. Are slaves, though throned. And thus the hands that give
Bind some recipients till they own their debt

4. And pay it, and so free themselves; while some
Deny it, but confess it 'gainst their will

5. By wearing still the shackles self-imposed.
Blessings are but fetters, which when one meets

6. With gratitude, as his deliverance,
Cease to be bindings. One there is who paid

7. For every gift of God with equal grace,
For gratitude is but love's second self.

8. If once he seemed to turn away his eyes
From largesse, he but turned them back within

9. His heart to find the place of gratitude.
Go thou secure from bondage and live safe

10. From Time's caprice and all the ills that wait
On fortune's fickleness and chance's change.

11. Thy neighbor who so long has been thy friend
Is still the best of neighbors; his abode

12. Has been the very fount and spring of good.
Exalted, proud nobility is his;

13. The helper of all helpers is his arm;
The first of all the first to speed his steed.

14. His spirit's aim transcends the farthest bound;
He rides alone as rides the uncompanied.

15. That part of wealth that circulates is his,
For he lets flow his bounty's living source

16. As freely as the spring-rains down the hills.
Not idly lost in sport and wantonness,

17. But working good and teaching men thereof.
Still adding to his immenseincrease

18. That brooks from none aught taken or withheld.
No charming harmony allures his soul,

19. Nor aught that might from single-mindedness beguile.
He stores all fruits of enterprise and toil

20. To help him on his way to Paradise.
He scatters blessings with a generous hand

21. As freely as all types of mortals share God's air.
He rules his mind with sense and wisdom sound

22. As others by good government their realms, -
In solitude, when no companions near,

23. Loneliness weighs not on his spirit proud,
Since, self-sufficing, he can pleasure find

24. In his own virtue's sweetness, and can make
The law of righteousness his rule and guide.

25. e wanders on through the deep dark unseen,
Yet by his inner light leads others right,

26. Needing no touchstone that should certified
His sterling worth. He is a stand-apart