Rosemary and Pansies/A Poet's Optimism
A POET'S OPTIMISM
He who derives much happiness from life,
Which here and there a favoured one may do,
Should he look coldly on the seething strife
Of the unfavoured mass who struggle through
An ever-anxious and care-laden lot.
And blandly thus address them, "Look at me
And take example! Wherefore do you not
Cease to complain and life's full glory see:
I grant you seem most wretched; but in truth
If you are so, why God and I can find
Excellent reasons for it: in good sooth
He who denies all's well is deaf and blind."
Fine preaching! but methinks I've heard such lore
From many a fat-paunched alderman before.
Which here and there a favoured one may do,
Should he look coldly on the seething strife
Of the unfavoured mass who struggle through
An ever-anxious and care-laden lot.
And blandly thus address them, "Look at me
And take example! Wherefore do you not
Cease to complain and life's full glory see:
I grant you seem most wretched; but in truth
If you are so, why God and I can find
Excellent reasons for it: in good sooth
He who denies all's well is deaf and blind."
Fine preaching! but methinks I've heard such lore
From many a fat-paunched alderman before.