masterful creature Of all the Masterful plan; p. 60The Formless Cause, with form and feature; The Power that heeds not limit or ban; Man, wonderful man. I would do good deeds, and forget them straightway; I would weave my woes into ropes and climb Up to the heights of the helper’s gateway; And Life should serve me, and Time, And I would sail out, and out, and find The treasures that lie in the deep sea, Mind. I would dream, and think, and act; I would work, and love, and pray, Till each dream and vision grew into a fact, If I were a man, a young man, and knew what I know to-day.

p. 60

If I were a man, a young man, and knew what I know to-day, I would guard my passions as Kings guard treasures, And keep them high and clean.  (For the will of a man, with his passions, measures; p. 61It is strong as they are keen.)  I would think of each woman as some one’s mother; I would think of each man as my own blood brother, And speed him along on his way. And the glory of life in this wonderful hour Should fill me and thrill me with Conscious power, If I were a man, a young man, and knew what I know to-day.

p. 61

p. 62WE MUST SEND THEM OUT TO PLAY

p. 62

Now much there is need of doing must not be done in haste; But slowly and with patience, as a jungle is changed to a town. But listen, my brothers, listen; it is not always so: When a murderer’s hand is lifted to kill, there is no time to waste; And the way to change his purpose is first to knock him down And teach him the law of kindness after you give him the blow.

The acorn you plant in the morning will not give shade at noon; And the thornless cactus must be bred by year on year of toil. But listen, my brothers, listen; it is not ever the way, p. 63For the roots of the poison ivy plant you cannot pull too soon; If you would better your garden and make the most of your soil, Hurry and dig up the evil things and cast them out to-day.

p. 63

The ancient sin of the nations no law can ever efface; We must wait for the mothers of men to grow, and give clean souls to their sons. But listen, my brothers, listen—when a child cries out in pain, We must rise from the banquet board and go, though the host is saying grace; We must rise and find the Herod of Greed, who is killing our little ones, Nor ever go back to the banquet until the monster is slain.

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