TO ——
Thee would I choose as my teacher and friend. Thy living example
Teaches me,—thy teaching word wakens my heart unto life.
THE PRESENT GENERATION.
Was it always as now? This race I truly can't fathom.
Nothing is young but old age; youth, alas! only is old.
TO THE MUSE.
What I had been without thee, I know not—yet, to my sorrow
See I what, without thee, hundreds and thousands now are.
THE LEARNED WORKMAN.
Ne'er does he taste the fruit of the tree that he raised with such trouble;
Nothing but taste e'er enjoys that which by learning is reared.
THE DUTY OF ALL.
Ever strive for the whole; and if no whole thou canst make thee,
Join, then, thyself to some whole, as a subservient limb!
A PROBLEM.
Let none resemble another; let each resemble the highest!
How can that happen? let each be all complete in itself.
THE PECULIAR IDEAL.
What thou thinkest, belongs to all; what thou feelest, is thine only.
Wouldst thou make him thine own, feel thou the God whom thou thinkest!
TO MYSTICS.
That is the only true secret, which in the presence of all men
Lies, and surrounds thee for ay, but which is witnessed by none.
THE KEY.
Wouldst thou know thyself, observe the actions of others.
Wouldst thou other men know, look thou within thine own heart.
THE OBSERVER.
Stern as my conscience, thou seest the points wherein I'm deficient;
Therefore I've always loved thee, as my own conscience I've loved.