Religion

First Be, Then Teach

by Robert Leighton born 1822; living 1855–57

Religion

If, Poet, thou wouldst live beyond the age,
First be the thing thy teachings would create:
Make thine own life oracular, thy page
Will then be lord of Fate.

A few unlettered sentences Christ gave

Out of His purity. The years may bear
Their unregretted learning to the grave —
His words we cannot spare.

MLA

Leighton, Robert. “First Be, Then Teach.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/leighton/1/.

Chicago

Leighton, Robert. “First Be, Then Teach.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/leighton/1/.

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