A Reply

Thou tell'st me from the wrath to come to flee,"'Tis safest to believe" thy coward's plea:What! dost thou think my spirit's poor as thine?Such doctrines are for bond-slaves, not the free.

What's true is true, what's false is false, and IRefuse for gain to palter with a lie:The truth in scorn of consequence I seek,And dare to ask of God or Devil Why?

Such Truth as will to reach it may attain,Such certitude as studious toil may gain,This do I seek, and having found hold fast,Though it bring bitter sorrow in its train.

The creeds are many, there is but one Truth:Art sure thou hast discovered it in sooth?Thou that hast taken thy beliefs on trust,And putt'st thy faith in Merry-Andrew Booth!

Though Truth's clear face may not be manifest,'Tis easy to bring Falsehood to the test;Easy its vain pretensions to exposeWhen in the scales of reason 'tis assessed.

The Truth of Truths perchance man ne'er may know,Yet he the search for it may not forego:'Tis good to climb the mountain's craggy side,Though we reach not its pinnacle of snow.

Falsehood's a harlot with seductive smile,Practised in every loose and wanton wile;To every temper she doth suit herselfBy flattery, cajolery, or guile:

But Truth all art or artifice disdains,No painting uses, no false beauty feigns;Cares not though men regardless pass her by,And all-sufficient to herself remains.

Though she may seem to wear a frowning face,Shrink not, but dare approach her and embrace,And then her veil falls off and you beholdImperial beauty and celestial grace.

1899