“I HAVE LOOKED INTO ALL MEN’S HEARTS”

I have looked into all men’s hearts. Like houses at night unshuttered they stand, And I walk in the street, in the dark, and on either hand There are hollow houses, men’s hearts. They think that the curtains are drawn. Yet I see their shadows suddenly kneel To pray, or laughing and reckless as drunkards reel Into dead sleep till dawn. And I see an immortal child With its quaint high dreams and wondering eyes Sleeping beneath the hard worn body that lies Like a mummy-case defiled. And I hear an immortal cry Of splendor strain through the sodden words, Like a flight of brave-winged heaven-desirous birds From a swamp where poisons lie. —I have looked into all men’s hearts. Oh, secret terrible houses of beauty and pain! And I cannot be gay, but I cannot be bitter again, Since I looked into all men’s hearts.