Show their full length in graves, or even indeed
Exaggerate their stature, in the flat,
To noble admirations which exceed
Nobly, nor sin in such excess. For that
Is wise and righteous. We, who are the seed
Of buried creatures, if we turned and spate
Upon our antecedents, we were vile.
Bring violets rather! If these had not walked
Their furlong, could we hope to walk our mile?
Therefore bring violets! Yet if we, self-baulked,
Stand still a-strewing violets all the while,
These had as well not moved, ourselves not talked
Of these. So rise up with a cheerful smile,
And, having strewn the violets, reap the corn,
And, having reaped and garnered, bring the plough
And draw new furrows 'neath the healthy morn,
And plant the great Hereafter in this Now.
IX.
As each man gained on each, securely!—how
Each by his own strength sought his own ideal,
The ultimate Perfection leaning bright
From out the sun and stars, to bless the leal
And earnest search of all for Fair and Right,
Through the dim forms, by earth accounted real!
Because old Jubal blew into delight
The souls of men, with dear-piped melodies,
What if young Asaph were content at most
To draw from Jubal's grave, with listening eyes,
Traditionary music's floating ghost
Into the grass-grown silence? were it wise?
Is it not wiser, Jubal's breath being lost,
