Luther, Jefferson, Pope

Hail Martin! Godly man! Your intellect.
Revealed that grace alone rescinds the fall.
You preached us faith. You taught us to expect
the Jews to taint, unless we burn them all.

Whose ringing words proclaimed a Nation's birth:
Hail Thomas! Scribe of freedom, liberty,
and happiness! All born of equal worth!
Except the ones who're slaves to you and me.

Those words of truth, the wisdom, wit and style,
The threads of beauty woven with finesse
Hail Alexander! Poetry may smile,
Or does it sneer? I fear your bitterness.

So all my heroes -- wise, and great, and blind.
What hope for me to have unsullied mind?