THE MISANTHROPE.
In dreams!
WISDOM.
In both extremes there seems convey'd,
A truth to own, and yet deny;
But what between the extremes has made
The master-difference?
HOPE.
I!—
What wert thou, Wisdom, but for me?
Though thou the Past, the Present see,
Through ME alone, the eye can mark
The Future dawning on the dark.
I plant the tree, and till the soil;
I show the fruit,—where thou the toil;
Where thou despondest, I aspire—
Thine sad Content, mine bright Desire.
Under my earthlier name of Hope,
The love to things unborn is given,
But call me Faith—behold I ope
The flaming gates of Heaven!
Take ME from Man, and Man is both
The Dastard and the Slave;
And Love is lust, and Peace a sloth,
And all the Earth a Grave!
THE IDEAL WORLD.
ARGUMENT.
Section I.