Mine be the Rock, as thine the Ocean.
TIME.
Discuss, ye symbols of the twain
Great Creeds—the Steadfast and Improving;
The one shall rot that would remain,
The one wear out in moving!
THE
PHILANTHROPIST AND THE MISANTHROPE.
A DIALOGUE.
THE PHILANTHROPIST.
Yes, thou mayst sneer, but still I own
A love that spreads from zone to zone:
No time the sacred fire can smother!
Where breathes the man, I hail the brother.
Man! how sublime,—from Heaven his birth—
The God's bright Image walks the earth!
And if, at times, his footstep strays,
I pity where I may not praise.
THE MISANTHROPE.
Thou lov'st mankind. Pray tell me, then,
What history best excuses men?
Long wars for slight pretences made,
See murder but a glorious trade;
Each landmark from the savage state,
Doth virtue or a vice create?
Do ships speed plenty o'er the main?—
What swells the sail? The lust of gain!
What makes a law where laws were not?
Strength's wish to keep what Strength has got!
If rise a Few—the true Sublime,
Who lend the light of Heaven to Time,
What the return the Many make?
The poison'd bowl! the fiery stake!
Thou lov'st mankind,—come tell me, then,
Lov'st thou the past career of men?