Ive been searching for the text of the poem "dicitarata" for months now. It was written in 1927 and released along with music in the 60's.

Can anyone help?

-- Brad Donnelly (bwd@nbnet.nb.ca), February 10, 1999

Answers

Desiderata

"Go placidly amid the noise and haste..."

This is copyrighted poem and is not in the public domain as is believed by many distributors. The author is Max Ehrmann, a poet who lived from 1872 to 1945. Desiderata was written in 1927, and is printed in a collection of his poems published in 1948. In 1956, the rector of St. Paul's Church in Baltimore, Maryland, used the poem in a collection of material he compiled for his congregation. Someone who printed it later said that it was found in Old St. Paul's Church, dated 1692. The year 1692 is the founding date of the church and is unrelated to the poem, although Desiderata has been widely printed and distributed with the implication that the poem was dated 1692.

-- Prabal Ray (Prabal.Ray@uk.abnamro.com), February 11, 1999.

Do you mean "Desiderata"?

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant, for they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with other, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is, many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

- Max Ehrmann

-- Prabal Ray (Prabal.Ray@uk.abnamro.com), February 11, 1999.