Guide to my heart’s behests, clue to my wish,—thou’rt he.
Their thread is in thy hand; thy guidance can it shift;
The pearls upon it strung are gems, thy soul’s free gift.
Write down the qualities by which a Teacher’s known.
Select thy Teacher first; then, follow all he’s shown.5
A Teacher’s summer’s glow; cold winter, crowd terrene;
The rabble’s darkness self; the Teacher, moon serene.
Young Fortune have I named my Teacher, for the nonce;—
Young Fortune, truth’s real Teacher; vigorous at once.
An ancient Teacher he; commencement he ne’er had;