Rejoining she: "A good may be the subject of desire, And not be motive to achievement. Life, If I may speak the riddle, is a scheme Of indirections. My own happiness Is something to desire; and yet, I know That I must win it by forgetting it In ministry to others. If I make My happiness the motive of my work, I spoil it by the taint of selfishness. But are you sure that you do not presume Somewhat too much, in claiming the desire For a good name as motive of your life? Greatness, not goodness, is the end you seek, If I mistake you not; and these are held, In the world's thought, as two, and most distinct. King Solomon was wise, but wiser He Who said to those who loved and followed him, 'Who would be great among you, let him serve.' The greatest men and artists should be such, For they are God's nobility and man's Should work from greatest motives. Selfishness Is never great, and moves to no great deeds. To honor God, to benefit mankind, To serve with lofty gifts the lowly needs Of the poor race for which the God-man died, And do it all for love--oh! this is great! And he who does this will achieve a name Not only great but good." "Not in this world," I answered her. "I know too much of it. The world is selfish; and it never gives Due credit to a motive which assumes To be above its own. If a man write, It takes for granted that he writes for fame, And judges him accordingly. It holds Of no account all other aims and ends; And visits with contempt the man who bears A mission to his kind. The critic pens That twiddle with his work, or play with it As cats with mice, are not remarkable For gentle instincts; and my name must live By pens like these. I choose to take the world Just as I find it, and I pitch my tune To the world's key, that it may sing my tune. And sing for me. Ay, and I take myself Just as I find myself. I do not love The human race enough to work for it. Having no motive of philanthropy, I'll make pretence to none. The love of praise I count legitimate and laudable. 'Tis not the noblest motive in the world, But it is good; and it has won more fames Than any other. Surely, my good wife, You would not shut me from it, and deprive My power of its sole impulse."