who ken'st so well the world-to-be,
The Future when the Past is not,
the Present merest dreamery;

* Moses in the Koran.

What know'st thou, man, of Life? and yet,
forever twixt the womb, the grave,
Thou pratest of the Coming Life,
of Heav'n and Hell thou fain must rave.

The world is old and thou art young;
the world is large and thou art small;
Cease, atom of a moment's span,
To hold thyself an All-in-All!



III.


Fie, fie! you visionary things,
ye motes that dance in sunny glow,
Who base and build Eternities
on briefest moment here below;

Who pass through Life liked caged birds,
the captives of a despot will;
Still wond'ring How and When and Why,
and Whence and Whither, wond'ring still;