Problems

Man’s is the learning of his books-- What is all knowledge that he knows Beside the wit of winding brooks, The wisdom of the summer rose!

How soil distils the scent in flowers Baffles his science: heaven-dyed, How, from the sunshine and the showers, They draw their colors, hath defied.

Nor hath he solved why light is white, Yet paints with hues the dawns and noons, Stains all the hollow edge of night With glory as of molten moons.

What knows he of the laws of birth Or death, or what these are and why! Or what it is within the earth That helps us live and helps us die!