Page:Near nature's heart; a volume of verse (IA nearnaturesheart00jack).pdf/48

 But oh to understand the purpose of her heart, Her princely, hidden life; Just what or who unfolds the vital part, Despite dark death and strife.

O Faunus tell—return to earth and speak The word that satisfies; Or haughty mountain give, or valley meek, The answer to my cries.

The gods are silent all! But drink may I Of Nature's founts o'er flowing; I feel her throbs of heart in earth and sky, And loving leads to knowing.

Henceforth, of all the wines of gods and men, To me give Nature's nectar; Of all the feeble songs of tongue and pen From every dull director—

Oh give me Nature's rich and ripest lore, Her palaces and poses; Her peaceful ways and rest, her fullest store Of pure Pierian roses.

Ah, this I know—'tis all I need to know— The great Mother has her plan; With God she labors long, at last to show Her perfect child and man.

A NIGGER AND A MULE

I've lived in the city, I've sailed the wide sea; I've studied in many and many a school; I've sat at the feet of the bond and free, And a lot has come to a fellow like me, Since a new ground I plowed with a balky mule, But I've lived to see balky and a nigger fool.

No deep-seated scorn of the African fool— There's plenty like him from the hills to the sea; 'Tis the union of nigger and a stubborn mule, That surpasses the sport of an all-round school, If not for professor for fun-loving me, And as long as I'm playful, my play shall be free.

Aye friend, 'tis a wonderful thing to be free, Though many a free man I'd call a fool, And no doubt some of them would thus entitle me, Though tutored in the city, the college and the sea Yet the nigger and hybrid, I'd take for a school; For 'tis hard to beat a pure nigger and a mule.