Page:All quiet along the Potomac and other poems.djvu/206

 200 THE LESSON OF A SHADOW.

Were mapped in gold on the dewy ground, With a grassy rim like a ribbon round.

And Max, wise Max, in the doorway stood, In a doubting man s misanthropic mood, Saying, &quot; Uncle Ralph, may be that is so, For you, but for me Unless I know Through my senses keen either hear, or see, Why, the thing itself is unproved to me.&quot;

This the phrase I caught out of long debate On the need of faith in our mortal state, As I looked the loops of the woodbine through At the old brown face full of glory new.

&quot;Look yonder, Max.&quot; In a pool of sun

Flitted here and hither a shadow dun

Of a little bird that we could not see.

&quot; Can you prove that robin a fact to me?

Do you see the bird ? Do you hear it?&quot; &quot;Nay.&quot;

&quot; Then there is no bird. Is it thus you say,

Friend Max?&quot; Why, where has the wise man gone,

Leaving Uncle Ralph on the porch alone

To shake his head, while a tender smile

Comes over his patient face the while ?

&quot;Only shadows now, but the substance then, &quot; He said, as the bird trilled a loud &quot;Amen.&quot;

�� �