CHILDREN (as such forgive them) have I known, Ever in their own eager pastime bent To make the incurious bystander, intent On his own swarming thoughts, an interest own; Too fearful or too fond to play alone. Do thou, whom light in thine own inmost soul (Not less thy boast) illuminates, control Wishes unworthy of a man full-grown. What though the holy secret which moulds thee Moulds not the solid Earth? though never Winds Have whisper’d it to the complaining Sea, Nature’s great law, and law of all men’s minds To its own impulse every creature stirs: Live by thy light, and Earth will live by hers. |