Had I the Tongues of Greeks and Jews

Had I the tongues of Greeks and Jews

And nob­ler speech than an­gels use

If love be ab­sent

I am found

Like tink­ling brass

an emp­ty sound.

Were I in­spired to preach and tell

All that is done in Heav’n and hell

Or could my faith the world re­move

Still I am no­thing with­out love.

Should I dis­trib­ute all my store

To feed the bow­els of the poor

Or give my bo­dy to the flame

To gain a mar­tyr’s glo­ri­ous name;

If love to God and love to men

Be ab­sent

all my hopes are vain:

Nor tongues

nor gifts

nor fie­ry zeal

The work of love can e’er ful­fill.