O ye, who from your earliest youth Seek wisdom and would learn the truth, Happy are ye if ye discern Falsehood from Truth in all ye learn! | If ye with bold and eager mind Cast prejudice and fear behind, That so the Truth may set you free From dreams and Error's slavery! | 322 If to your comprehensive thought, The lore that ancient sages taught Is but the stepping-stone to more And deeper truths unknown before! | Nor suffer fame to be your goal, Still less to break the wise control Of law and duty; seek aright To grow more perfect through more light. | Whoe'er on God's great works can cast A clearer light than in the past, And teach new eyes with awe to see Their wonders,--ah, how happy he! | Learn ever clearer what adorns, Ennobles life, and blunts its thorns What in each nation, every State, Has brought it low or made it great. | Learn too what shames us, what is base, Virtue's whole worth and beauty trace, Here and hereafter what the source Of joys that cannot bring remorse. | And never deign to make for Vice A league with Error, or with lies; Nor speak of Truth with careless scorn, For every truth of God is born. | Whate'er ye learn, rejoice to share With others, show them every snare On learning's path where men have tript, Be honest where yourselves have slipt. | 323 Forget not ye must live for aye, Study not only for to-day, Think of the reckoning ye must give, And wisely, virtuously live. | All truth is God's as He is true, Whate'er ye know He shows it you, So let your knowledge as it grows Draw you to Him more near and close. | Happy indeed is such a sage, He shall be lionoured in his age, And fame shall follow where he trod, For he, he is a light from God. | |