The Elite

I stood among a troop of soldiers. Twenty would be chosen for combat. The Major selected his men and sent the rest of us on our way.
I stood on a wharf among a hundred sailors. The captain looked us all over, chose twenty good men, and sent the rest of us on our way.
I prayed in the company of priests among a throng of beggars. The priests fed soup to five people and sent the rest of us on our way.
I presented myself along with three other pages in the queen's court. She chose the tallest and most handsome and sent the rest of us on our way.
I talked and reasoned with the thinker of the ages among a class of peers, and he gave pensive response and dear attention on the ones who had memorized Plato, and the rest of us he sent on our way.
I stood among the company of battered rocks near the sea, and the waves came down and chose to spare the rocks, but the rest of me was sent on my way.
I stood among the company of soldiers, sailors, pages, and thinkers, in the court of another World, and its King looked at me and smiled, and the rest of them he sent on their way.