 | The Poetry of Real Life |  |
136
TO MAN.
O what is Man, that he should, poor, frail thing!Walk on the greenwove carpet of the grass:
While flowërs, 'neath his steps, as he doth pass,
Shoot up, to make their scented offering?
What is he, that still, as he goes, the spring
Makes music for his hearing, and the mass
Of Nature's wonders strive which shall surpass
In doing him most service, like a King!
Wherefore all this, O Man? because thou art
Endowed with intellect majestical,
Looking before and after, and a heart
To love all things—therefore art thou of all
This lovely world sole lord—Nature and Art
Kneel at thy feet, and thee their master call!
| The Poetry of Real Life | |