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| IT happens that a man quite blind | |
| A lame man on the street doth find. | |
| With hope the blind man’s heart is gay: | |
| There’s one to lead him on his way! | |
| “I help you?” says the lame. “What talk! | 5 |
| Helpless myself, I cannot walk. | |
| It seems, your healthy shoulders there | |
| With ease a little load could bear. | |
| Come, carry me upon your way; | |
| Which path to follow, I shall say. | 10 |
| Your hardy foot my foot shall be, | |
| And with my bright eye you shall see.” | |
| The lame man with his crutch we find | |
| Upon the broad back of the blind. | |
| United they can do what one | 15 |
| Alone could nevermore have done. | |
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| What you have not, will be possessed | |
| By others not with your gifts blessed. | |
| And from such imperfection springs | |
| The bond that men together brings. | 20 |
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| Did not my neighbour lack the gift | |
| That nature gave me in her thrift, | |
| He, thinking of himself alone, | |
| A care for me would scarce have known. | |
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| Vex not the gods with discontent: | 25 |
| The gift upon another spent | |
| Shall truly be a common good, | |
| If we but live in brotherhood. | |
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