Not alone by generous birth
(Greatly though it fashions men),
Not by all the wealth of earth,
Not by all the talents ten,
Not by beauty, nor by wit,
No, nor manners well refined,--
Is that name of honour writ
On the forehead of the mind.

Poverty retains it oft,
With the peasant it hath dwelt,
And its influence sweet and soft
In the scholarless been felt;
Lowly birth, and sorrow's power,
All that want of all things can,
Have not marr'd -- nor made -- one hour
This true knight, the Gentleman.

Charity,-- unselfish zeal
Lest a sorrow or a shame
Any one be made to feel
Undeserving scorn or blame,--
Dignity, the generous sense
That himself is heir outright
To that heritage immense,--
King and priest of worlds of light,--

Lowliness of heart withal,--
Purity of word and life--
Courage,-- not for arms to call
But to quell insurgent strife,--
Honour,-- for the good and true
With Bayard to guard the van,--
And what courtesies are due,
These make up the Gentleman.

Ay Sir Calm and cold and proud,
Trust me, for the word is true,
There are thousands in the crowd
Finer gentleman than you;
More,-- for all your courtly birth
And each boon by fortune given,
Know that gentleman of earth
Are always gentle sons of heaven.

Chesterfields, and modes, and rules
For polish'd age or stilted youth,
And high breeding's choicest schools
Need to learn this deeper truth,
That to act, whate'er betide,
Nobly on the Christian plan,
This is still the surest guide,
How to be the Gentleman!