A Leaf from the Old Forest
resided, And his only glory rested, In the numbers he created, In their beauty of formation, Which in secret depths he fashioned. Weemus was a prince the second, Great among the princely chieftains; He was keeper of the subjects, Took them from the hands of Kalim Young and tender as a blossom, Fed the spirit in their bosom, Cared and kept them out of danger, Framed them unto firmer being, Led them unto good or evil, Led them on to pomp and glory, Rising out of great achievements, By these ways to wealth and grandeur, Scattered on their footpaths wisdom— Wisdom, knowledge, and discretion, Evils, vices, lust, and anger, p. 22As a sower scatters corn-seed; Let them gather as they listed Of the good or of the evil. They had powers of true discernment, To direct them as they gathered Which were good and which were evil, Written and engraved on records, Words of endless power and meaning; And a few the good selected, Gathered from a wise discretion; But the crowds were blind and heedless, Minded not the laws and records, Gathered freely of the evil, Wandered on in lusts and vices, Wandered on to spoil and plunder, Wandered on to want and sorrow, Misery, and pain, and anguish. Strange his dealings were and hidden; Oft would take the greatest boaster, Mighty in his own beholding, Who in pomp and riches loitered, In high seats of veneration, And would draw him downward, downward, Rob him of his pomp and splendor, Of his riches and his glory, Set him by the homeless beggar, p. 23Holden in the pangs of hunger, Gladly feeding on the morsels Given by the poor and humble, Who were once by him despiséd. Lone, and destitute, and humbled, Soon he learns his frail condition, And that he is only mortal. Or the unpretending stranger, From a poor and humble dwelling, And unknown among the people, Weemus oft would take and guide him High unto a seat of honor, To reside in noble mansions, Fame and praise for ever by him. Thuswise Weemus often acted, Fearless of rebuke or censure, And accounted not his reasons, Dealing ever as he listed. Sero was the third prince calléd; He was stern, and fierce, and warlike; Fear and terror walked before him In the sight of all the people, And his bearing was majestic; Quick and keen his glances darted, Like a strong man’s arrow flying; And the people tried to shun him, p. 24To avoid the ways he haunted; And they trembled sadly, sorely, If he ever ventured near them. Yet beneath his hardened manner Dwelt a gentle spirit calmly; It was only to the wicked, To the evil and the sinful, That his terror was revealéd. Sero from the hands of Weemus Took the people rudely, boldly, As directed by the spirit Which for ever ruled his actions. Old, and young, and middle-aged, Heedless of their years he took them, Heedless of their power or greatness, 
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