Make knowledge circle with the winds; Bear seed of men and growth of minds. Watch what main-currents draw the years: Nor toil for title, place, or touch Not clinging to some ancient saw : Not mastered by some modern term; Not swift nor slow to change, but firm: And in its season bring the law; That from Discussion's lip may fall With Life, that, working strongly, binds Set in all lights by many minds, To close the interests of all. For Nature also, cold and warm, And moist and dry, devising long, Through many agents making strong, Matures the individual form. Meet is it changes should control We all are changed by still degrees, So let the change which comes be free A saying hard to shape in act; Even now we hear with inward strife A motion toiling in the gloom The Spirit of the years to come Yearning to mix himself with Life. A slow-developed strength awaits The warders of the growing hour, Of many changes, aptly joined, A wind to puff your idol-fires, And heap their ashes on the head; To shame the boast so often made, That we are wiser than our sires. O yet, if Nature's evil star Drive men in manhood, as in youth, To follow flying steps of Truth Across the brazen bridge of war — If New and Old, disastrous feud, And this be true, till Time shall close, Not yet the wise of heart would cease To hold his hope through shame and guilt, But with his hand against the hilt, Would pace the troubled land, like Peace; Not less, though dogs of Faction bay, Would serve his kind in deed and word, Certain, if knowledge bring the sword, That knowledge takes the sword away Would love the gleams of good that broke From either side, nor veil his eyes: And if some dreadful need should rise, Would strike, and firmly, and one stroke: To-morrow yet would reap to-day, As we bear blossom of the dead; Raw Haste, half-sister to Delay. THE GOOSE. I. I KNEW an old wife lean and poor, II. He held a goose upon his arm, He uttered rhyme and reason, Here, take the goose, and keep you warm, It is a stormy season." III. She caught the white goose by the leg, A goose 't was no great matter. The goose let fall a golden egg With cackle and with clatter. |