'TO lead a life divine?' <br />This is the question which, with upward strife, <br />Earth to herself proposes, asking ever, <br />'How shall I lead this life?' <br /> <br />And in her infancy <br />From east and west according answer came, <br />Poet and priest the doctrine taught and bless'd, <br />'Divinity is Fame.' <br /> <br />In a more polish'd age, <br />'Poor toilsome fools, fair women, fairer wine, <br />Purple, fine linen, pictures, statues, gold, <br />Beauty is most divine.' <br /> <br />Long-bearded sages then <br />With still more scorn their own solution gave,-- <br />'Thought is the only good to be desir'd, <br />Leave matter to the slave.' <br /> <br />God gave a helping word, <br />But Earth was blind, and would misread the sign, <br />Saying, 'It means deny, fast, scourge, and pray,-- <br />The ascetic is divine.' <br /> <br /> <br />And now we, year by year, <br />Do painfully spell out our golden rule, <br />In woe for its neglect; the wisest men, <br />The little child at school, <br /> <br />Learning that wisdom, art, <br />Denying vow, world's honour, are but slaves to love, <br />Whose law encircles us with a command, <br />Ev'n as its pleadings move. <br /> <br />We are not free to choose, <br />But ever find our portions strictly meted <br />When we look purely for them, and a sign <br />Of blessing if completed: <br /> <br />Set in a narrow groove, <br />In our obedience alone made free <br />With freedom worth the purchase, and enjoin'd <br />To work it silently: <br /> <br />Which following <br />In meek surrender,--'Not my will but Thine'-- <br />Is, in its aspect, fruit, and consciousness, <br />Indeed a Life Divine.<br /><br />Bessie Rayner Parkes<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/earth-s-question/
