Poetry THE IDEAL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2420, 14 January 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

Poetry THE IDEAL.

Sought nf ages, bright, elusive, bearing on thy brow "Tho Best,', Hope of man—all, individual—ill Protean aspect dres 1 - — Principal of lif-. • sind .shrill uofc lift) thy fluid vision bindTo some rule reduce thy problem and its common factor find ? May we not flash forth in radiance, as of some, world beacon-fire, One word, to eacli heart illuming all now wrapt in vague desire,— Heralding to minds belated, where the welcome ray may fall, 'There is fact amid the fancies—fact within the reach of all ?' _ Weary of the mists of dogma or the sceptic's darker night Oladly would wo hail the birth-star of a universal light: And we strain our eyes with longing for a point wore all may meetUse a thousand subtle lenses for a glory— lit our feet Harken to the voice of Science—she will never lead astray For her breath is Truth attested —mark her latest word to-day ! Hear her tell two singlo Forces guide and over guided Man Toward 11 common ob.jcct wand'ring through the mighty cosmic plan : By the first—self preservation—he is ever spent in strife. Lavishing his every effort in the maintenance of life, — .Struggling toward some goal of pleasure promising life-tenure failCounting any cost well-givon thai may purchase title there. But that primal tension slackened, which in selfish instinct warr'd, Then tho thought — race-preservation— turns its inward eyo abroad : For his wife, his children, neighbours, levels he his second lanceAll his energies devoting to their best continuance. Finding still a deeper solace for the self his gifts contemn In the sacrifice of pleasure and in ministry to them. Such tho principles of action Science traces only reisjn Spurring us from the Creation to our one ideal domain,— . Only Self and Race-devotion ! these alone to poaco can bring— Is it hard to sifttheir method—find a cup to taste the spring ? Heart of their twain-Force, that squanders life to Cherish and to Live, Wo can feel a sublime constant pulsing, pulsing simply—" (sive !" Hence, call Happiness tho Ideal, thus rosolved its Forces prove All our happiness is rated as we give our life to Love. Douci.as Adam.