The Human Abstract

Pity would be no more
If we did not make somebody poor;
And Mercy no more could be If all were as happy as we And mutual fear brings peace.
Till the selfish loves increase;
Then Cruelty knits a snare,
And spreads his baits with care
He sits down with holy fears,
And waters the ground with tears;
Then Humility takes its root
Underneath his foot
Soon spreads the dismal shade
Of Mystery over his head;
And the caterpillar and fly
Feed on the Mystery
Leave. leave me to my sorrows;
Here I’ll sit and fade away.
Till I’m nothing but a spirit,
And I lose this form of clay
Then if chance along this forest
Any walk in pathless ways.
Thro' the gloom he’ll see my shadow
Hear my voice upon the breeze
And it bears the fruit of Deceit,
Ruddy and sweet to eat;
And the raven his nest has made
In its thickest shade
The Gods of the earth and sea
Sought thro’Nature to find this tree:
But their search was all in vain:
There grows one in the Human brain