The Gods and the Man-Child.
Reading edition
I.
The Gods of Life to the Man-Child crept They whispered low as the Man-Child slept,— The God of Love and the God of Hate, And the God of the Glories Three; And smiles and frowns wove the Man-Child's fate In a crown that was sad to see!
II.
"Come worship me!" said the God of Love, "And life shall equal the realms above; My cheeks are ruddy and white in turn,— And my lips are as red as wine, And Grief ne'er comes where the pleasures burn And the joys that are slaves of mine!"
III.
"Come worship me!" said the God of Hate; "Revenge is sweetest of faith and fate! To conquer foes that revile and leer With the scorn of the fiends of hell, Is work that brings to the soul good cheer And is worthy of doing well!"
IV.
"There is no worship like that of me!" Cried long the God of the Glories Three; "I have no love and I have no hate, But the Power and Wealth and Fame; The crowns I hold are the crowns of state And of gold and the world's acclaim!"
V.
The Man-Child woke from the world old dream, And launched his boat on the tossing stream; A God he sought that was none of these, But a greater and sweeter far, And question made of the rain and breeze, And the blossom and blazing star!
VI.
He heard faint calls from the far-off days; He saw faint steps in the lonely ways; He caught faint glimpses by wayside path, As he threaded the shadows dim, And through the years with their peace and wrath In the quest of the soul for Him!