Unknown it is to me, who handed down br From sire to son mine humble family; br Whether they dwelt in low obscurity, br Or by achievements purchased high renown: br Whether with princely or baronial crown br Their brows were bound, or martyr--wreath of flame: br No glories mark the track through which my name br Hath come: I only know it as mine own. br Yet I am one of no mean parentage: br The poorest line of Christian ancestry br Might serve upon the world's unbounded stage br To act God's dealings: all mankind might see br More truth than now they know, were this my line br Of distant sires their evidence to join.