THE Mother Brain, through tidal ebb and flow Of vasty years, sends forth for weal or woe Brain children, peopling thick the universe. Some puling pygmies die still-born. Some live To view a second summer, then expire. Some linger on, but, dwarfed by cold neglect, Or damning doubt, or poorly nourished by A disapproving world, discouraged die. Some drift as derelicts on idle waves, Some cunning charlatans impose false creeds That for a time delude and lead astray. Some hiss as vipers, poisoning the air; Anathemas are hurled that vitriol-like Sear tender flesh as with corroding fire. Some seeds of strife and deadly discord sow; With naked sword in hand, while at their heels Are war dogs licking drops of human blood. Some scatter seeds of love that fructify The smiling earth with goodness and good-will, While white-robed Peace, a messenger of light, Diffuses benedictions o'er the world. Some giants in their strength and power sway The fickle populace; dynasties fall, Or toppling thrones uprise at their command. Immortal some; the principles of truth Imbedded in their souls, like vital spark Translated into heaven, can never die! The earth may pass, the glowing stars burn out, World upon world dissolve and fall to dust, Yea, yonder heaven like parchment roll, but fixt Upon a granite rock of truth they stand, Immutable as deity itself! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CARELESS CONTENT by JOHN BYROM THE PLEASURES OF IMAGINATION; A POEM. ENLARGED VERSION: BOOK 3 by MARK AKENSIDE THE LESSER BEAUTY by MARGARET STEELE ANDERSON THE STEAM-ENGINE: CANTO 10. THE RAILWAY BOOM, 1845 by T. BAKER A WOMAN'S SONNETS: 8 by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT PETRUCHIO'S WIFE by AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR GLIMPSES OF ITALY: 3. OLD STORY-TELLING by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON THE BEELAH VIADUCT by JOHN CLOSE EPISTLE TO SIR CLIFFORD CLIFTON, THEN SITTING IN PARLIAMENT by CHARLES COTTON |