Lxxv

Then, how diverse the modes prescribed to who would deal With either kind of creature! 'T is Man, you seek to seal Your very own? Resolve, for first step, to discard Nine-tenths of what you are! To make, you must be marred,-- To raise your race, must stoop,--to teach them aught, must learn Ignorance, meet halfway what most you hope to spurn I' the sequel. Change yourself, dissimulate the thought And vulgarize the word, and see the deed be brought To look like nothing done with any such intent As teach men--though perchance it teach, by accident! So may you master men: assured that if you show One point of mastery, departure from the low And level,--head or heart-revolt at long disguise, Immurement, stifling soul in mediocrities,-- If inadvertently a gesture, much more, word Reveal the hunter no companion for the herd, His chance of capture 's gone. Success means, they may snuff, Examine, and report,--a brother, sure enough, Disports him in brute-guise; for skin is truly skin, Horns, hoofs, are hoofs and horns, and all, outside and in, Is veritable beast, whom fellow-beasts resigned May follow, made a prize in honest pride, behind One of themselves and not creation's upstart lord! Well, there 's your prize i' the pound--much joy may it afford My Indian! Make survey and tell me,--was it worth You acted part so well, went all-fours upon earth The live-long day, brayed, belled, and all to bring to pass That stags should deign eat hay when winter stints them grass?