From books that were forbidden to mine eyes.
And thus I learned new scientific thought.
Hard was the struggle as I sought the path
Wandering through many a way to find mine own;
Nor did I ever gain by cunning thought
Whate’er of truth revealed itself to me.
In fierce-fought battles have I torn the roots
From out my spirit’s soil of all that brought
Peace and contentment to me when a child.
I understand indeed the heart that fain