I SAW an idler on a summer day Piping with Iris¹ by a dancing brook²； And all his world was rife³ with Pleasures gay, And languid Follies⁴ smiled from every nook.

    I saw an artist in a world of dreams, His rainbow rising from his radiant task, To throw its magic prism beams O'er Fancy's changeful masque and counter- masque.

    I saw Toil——stooping underneath⁵ a world Whereon his foster-brothers lighter⁶ tread, His skyward pinions⁷ ever closer furled Before the grim necessity of bread！

    I saw a sinner working hard to be Worthy⁸ his death-wage from the mint of time； I saw a sailor, unto whom the sea Was hearth⁹ and hope and love and wedding- chime.

    I saw a mother living in her child—— I saw a saint among his fellow men—— Brave soldiery before my eyes defiled¹⁰ And solemn-hearted scholars——Sudden then

    I cried： "The stars are no less neighborly In their ethereal remoteness swung, Than these near human orbits wherein we Live out our lives and speak our chosen tongue！

    "Love seek through all——less there be one Least soul unlit within the night—— And over all, the selfsame sun Give each creation light！"