quote · Legacy record
I ask not for his lineage, I ask not for his name— If manliness be in his heart, He noble birth may claim. I care not though of world’s wealth But slender be his part; If yes you answer, when I ask— Hath he a true man’s heart? I ask not from what land he came, Nor where his youth was nursed— If pure the stream, it matters not The spot from whence it burst: The palace or the hovel, Where first his life began, I seek not of: but answer this— Is he an honest man? Nay, blush not now—what matters it Where first he drew his breath? A manger was the cradle-bed Of Him of Nazareth! Be nought, be any, every thing— I care not what you be— If yes you answer, when I ask— Art thou pure, true, and free?
I ask not for his lineage, I ask not for his name— If manliness be in his heart, He noble birth may claim. I care not though of world’s wealth But slender be his part; If yes you answer, when I ask— Hath he a true man’s heart? I ask not from what land he came, Nor where his youth was nursed— If pure the stream, it matters not The spot from whence it burst: The palace or the hovel, Where first his life began, I seek not of: but answer this— Is he an honest man? Nay, blush not now—what matters it Where first he drew his breath? A manger was the cradle-bed Of Him of Nazareth! Be nought, be any, every thing— I care not what you be— If yes you answer, when I ask— Art thou pure, true, and free?
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- R. Nicoll (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 302 · printed citation: R. Nicoll · subject: HONESTY
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.