Worldly Place

"Worldly Place"

Matthew Arnold (1822-1888)

Even in a palace, life may be led well! 

So spake the imperial sage, purest of men, 

Marcus Aurelius. But the stifling den 

Of common life, where, crowded up pell-mell, 

Our freedom for a little bread we sell, 

And drudge under some foolish master's ken 

Who rates us if we peer outside our pen— 

Match'd with a palace, is not this a hell? 

Even in a palace! On his truth sincere, 

Who spoke these words, no shadow ever came; 

And when my ill-school'd spirit is aflame 

Some nobler, ampler stage of life to win, 

I'll stop, and say: "There were no succour here! 

The aids to noble life are all within."