Page:In Bohemia (1886).djvu/68

62 There is naught but age can allay the rage of the passions that rule men's lives; And a man to be free must a poor man be, for unhappy is he who thrives: He fears for his ventures, his rents and debentures, his crops, and his son, and his wife; His dignity's slighted when he's not invited; he fears every day of his life. But the man who is poor, and by age has grown sure that there are no surprises in years. Who knows that to have is no joy, nor to save, and who opens his eyes and his ears To the world as it is, and the part of it his, and who says: They are happy, these birds. Yet they live day by day in improvident way—improvident? What were the words Of the Teacher who taught that the field-lilies brought the lesson of life to a man? Can we better the thing that is schoolless, or sing more of love than the nightingale can? See that rabbit — what feature in that pretty creature needs science or culture or care? Send this dog to a college and stuff him with knowledge, will it add to the warmth of his hair?