Heminges and Condell
Let us now praise two unremembered men,
who in one singular and momentous
act preserved English’s preeminent pen
from an obscurity calamitous.
For these unsung two, actors both, had the
inspired resolve to compile and publish
literature’s magnificent saga,
from which humankind can ever nourish.
Whatever their motive, the consequence
was such, the last word in the written word,
rescued from oblivion’s black offense,
lived on, and in ope minds ever flowered.
From on high there’s the sigh of Shakespeare,
‘O John and Henry, two true friends most dear.’