But fresh as Adam in the Hebrew tale;
Only you would have left the serpent out,
And left him, naked, in the garden still.
Or somehow, dodging this, have still contrived
That he should learn the whole curriculum
And never miss a lesson—never fail—
Be born, like Buddha, all accomplished, wise.
Would you have chosen to begin life old,
Well-balanced, cautious, knowing where to step,
And so untortured by the memory