My Symphony

By William Ellergy Channing

To live content with small means;

to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion;

to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich;

to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly;

to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart;
to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurrying never.

In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common.

This is to be my symphony.