"The gates of heaven are lightly locked, 
      We do not guard our gold,
      Men may uproot where worlds begin,
      Or read the name of the nameless sin;
      But if he fail or if he win
      To no good man is told.

      "The men of the East may spell the stars,
      And times and triumphs mark,
      But the men signed of the cross of Christ
      Go gaily in the dark.

      "The men of the East may search the scrolls
      For sure fates and fame,
      But the men that drink the blood of God
      Go singing to their shame.

      "The wise men know what wicked things
      Are written on the sky,
      They trim sad lamps, they touch sad strings,
      Hearing the heavy purple wings,
      Where the forgotten seraph kings
      Still plot how God shall die.

      "The wise men know all evil things
      Under the twisted trees,
      Where the perverse in pleasure pine
      And men are weary of green wine
      And sick of crimson seas.

      "But you and all the kind of Christ
      Are ignorant and brave,
      And you have wars you hardly win
      And souls you hardly save.

      "I tell you naught for your comfort,
      Yea, naught for your desire,
      Save that the sky grows darker yet
      And the sea rises higher.

      "Night shall be thrice night over you,
      And heaven an iron cope.
      Do you have joy without a cause,
      Yea, faith without a hope?"

-From "The Ballad of the White Horse" by G. K. Chesterton