Page:Poems, Household Edition, Emerson, 1904.djvu/346

310 But when the noisy scorn was past,

Emerge the wingèd words in haste.

New-bathed, new-trimmed, on healthy wing,

Right to the heaven they steer and sing.

A Brother of the world, his song

Sounded like a tempest strong

Which tore from oaks their branches broad,

And stars from the ecliptic road.

Times wore he as his clothing-weeds,

He sowed the sun and moon for seeds.

As melts the iceberg in the seas,

As clouds give rain to the eastern breeze,

As snow-banks thaw in April's beam,

The solid kingdoms like a dream

Resist in vain his motive strain,

They totter now and float amain.

For the Muse gave special charge

His learning should be deep and large,

And his training should not scant

The deepest lore of wealth or want:

His flesh should feel, his eyes should read

Every maxim of dreadful Need;

In its fulness he should taste

Life's honeycomb, but not too fast;

Full fed, but not intoxicated;

He should be loved; he should be hated;

A blooming child to children dear,

His heart should palpitate with fear.