From the beginning good and fair are one, But men the beauty from the truth will part, And, though the truth is ever beauty's heart, After the beauty will, short-breathed, run, And the indwelling truth deny and shun. Therefore, in cottage, synagogue, and mart, Thy thoughts came forth in common speech, not art; With voice and eye, in Jewish Babylon, Thou taughtest--not with pen or carved stone, Nor in thy hand the trembling wires didst take: Thou of the truth not less than all wouldst make; For Truth's sake even her forms thou didst disown: Ere, through the love of beauty, truth shall fail, The light behind shall burn the broidered veil!