What care I how fair she be?”

—The Shepherd’s Resolution.

  Here we have in this truism Mr. James’s pragmatism. Test your troubles day by day With it, and they fly away. Is the weather boiling hot, Hot enough to boil a pot—  If it be not so to me, What care I how hot it be?

  Take a pudding made of bread; Much against it has been said; But it does not lack defense—  Many say it is immense. Be it damned or be it blessed, Let us make the acid test—  If it be not so to me, What care I how good it be?

  So with every blooming thing That has power to soothe or sting; Ships or shoes or sealing wax, Carrots, comets, carpet tacks. Every philosophic need Covered by this capsule creed:  If it be not so to me, What care I how it be?

[Pg 95]

[Pg 95]

THE LAND OF RAINBOW’S-END

  Young Faintheart lay on a wayside bank, Full prey to doubts and fears, When he did espy come trudging by A Pilgrim bent with years. His back was bowed and his step was slow, But his faith no years could bend, As he eagerly pressed to the rose-lit west And the Land of Rainbow’s-End.

Full prey to doubts and fears,

A Pilgrim bent with years.

But his faith no years could bend,

And the Land of Rainbow’s-End.

 “It’s ho, for a pack!” sang the Pilgrim gray, “And a stout oak staff for friend, And it’s over the hills and far away To the Land of Rainbow’s-End!”

“It’s ho, for a pack!” sang the Pilgrim gray,

“And a stout oak staff for friend,

To the Land of Rainbow’s-End!”

 “Thou’rt old,” young Faintheart cried, “thou’rt old, And there’s many a league to go; And still thou seekest the pot of gold At the farther end of the bow.” “I am old, I am old,” said the Pilgrim gray, “But ever my way I’ll wend To the 

 Prev. P 58/75 next