Page:Dealings with the dead.djvu/94

 temples on the four shores of the two great seas. Pity it is that people do not believe their own religious creeds, for if they did there would be fewer-lonely ones on either side of the grave. Sung a poet, quite as good, if not so great as Milton:

If men cared less for wealth and fame, And less for battle-fields of glory; If writ in human hearts, a name Seemed better than in song or story: If men, instead of nursing pride, Would learn to hate it and abhor it; If more relied on Love to guide, The world would be the better for it. If men dealt less in stocks and lands, And more in bonds and deeds fraternal: If Love's work had more willing hands To link this world to the Supernal; If men stored up love's oil and wine, And on bruised human hearts would pour it, If "yours" and "mine" would once combine, The world would be the better for it.

If more would the play of Life, And fewer spoil it by rehearsal; If bigotry would sheathe its knife, Till good became more universal: If Custom gray with ages grown, Had fewer blind men to adore it: If talent shone in truth alone, The world would be the better for it. If men were wise in little things, Affecting less in all their dealings; If hearts had fewer rusted strings, To violate their kindly feelings: If men, when Wrong beats down the Eight, would strike together and restore it: If Right made Right in every fight, The world would be the betted for it.