 | Three Hundred Sonnets |  |
40
SOLON.
To know thyself,—a knowledge beyond price,Which some of this world's wisest cannot learn;
To search the heart, and keenly there discern
Even among its flowers of Paradise
The watchful subtle snake of natural vice,
And thus aware, to fly it,—nor to fan
Those guilty sparks that else shall scorch and burn
Thine innocence,—this is thy wisdom, Man:
This, had no messenger of grace aloud
Proclaim'd it for thy weal, of yonder sage
Separate in glory from that white-robed crowd,
Thou long hadst learnt: Solon, from age to age
One short full phrase a noble proof supplies
That thou wert wise as good, and good as wise.
| Three Hundred Sonnets | |