But rid it of all circumscribing vows.”

“Of all its vows?” I ask’d.

“Why not?” he said:

“No character, I think, grows wholly ripe

Save that which grows as nature guides its growth;

And nature made us pairs. I know some say

The soul should conquer nature; but this means

That spirits all should claim their rights,—be lords

Of forms that spring from earth. But are they so

When by a vow they swear to serve a form,