Poems (Elliott)/Prohibition
Prohibition
Long past, in dim and misty centuries, When all the world was new and Paradise Grew green and fair about the Tree of Life, From' the God-head the prohibition came To touch or taste its beauteous golden fruit—The one thing only that was stem forbade. For knowledge of Evil and Good would come, To our first parents, with the taste thereof. Now here-to-fore in lovely Eden, reigned Peace, Love and Joy, Content and Happiness, Until this edict came, that roused the pair To discontent—for curiosity Works oft more sin and disobedience Than natural inclination toward the wrong. And then the Serpent entered with his wiles, Persuading Eve that none would wiser be If she of the forbidden fruit did eat. She ate—and then the knowledge swiftly came Of all the Good and Evil in the world—A knowledge mingled with both joy and pain. And she, who from her spouse no secret had, Persuaded him—that he might knowledge have Of all the Good and Evil in the world—And thus was lovely Eden lost to them! From then till now, in all things of this world 'Twas ever so, that prohibition stem Begets the dire condition 'twould avoid. And since to be a perfect rounded man Or woman, each must widest knowledge have Of good and ill, so that in choosing they May choose the best in life, may it not be That, rather than the prohibition stern, We cultivate the growth of self control,That we may temperance practice in all things. So long as there is Evil in the world,And that will be long after we are dust,So long will Prohibition be a law If made, broken again as soon as made. Rather let us for temperance give our voice—Temperance in all the good things of this world