Let those who will hang rapturously o'er The flowing eloquence of Plato's page; Repeat, with flashing eyes, the sounds that pour From Homer's verse as with a torrent's rage; Let those who list ask Sully to assuage Wild hearts with high-wrought periods, and restore The reign of rhetoric; or maxims sage Winnow from Seneca's sententious lore. Not these, but Judah's hallowed bards, to me The temperate grief of Job; the artless strain SIR AUBREY DE VERE I THE MAKING OF MAN When the Lord would fashion men, "Lo! Our will is there shall be Spake the Angels, "Wilt Thou make Of Thy precepts the forsaker? But Thou knowest all, and we Celebrate Thy majesty." Answered Allah, "Yea, I know What ye know not of this making; Gabriel! Michael! Israfil! Go down to the earth, and, taking Seven clods of colors seven, Bring them unto Me in Heaven." Then those holy Angels three Spread their pinions and descended; Seeking clods of diverse clay, That all colors might be blended; Yellow, tawny, dun, black, brown, White and red, as men are known. But the Earth spake, sore afraid, That the dread Creator make not Therefore, empty-handed came Saying, "Lord! Thy Earth imploreth Spake the Lord to Azrael, Go thou, who of wing art surest. Tell my Earth this shall be well; Bring those clods which thou procurest From her bosom, unto Me; Shape them as I order thee." Thus 'tis written how the Lord All save Iblis; and this story 66 Come thou!" at the hour of death. SIR EDWIN ARNOLD 2 MERCY'S REPLY AN ARABIAN ALLEGORY The earth was made, yet still, though full of light And spoke as God can speak alone, "Shall We make man?" Then stern-eyed Justice cried, 66 'Oh, make him not, for he, in his vain pride, And base ingratitude to Thee, the great First Cause, Then Truth," Yes, make him not! his impious foot Gazed up and cried, amid her sterner peers, 66 And with thy brother gently deal below!" ANONYMOUS |