Classic Poem

" " We come into the world unstained and pure
As those fair blossoms by the brooklet sown,
With gifts that should a higher life insure
Than man has ever known.

" " But when the mind begins to comprehend
The scope and purpose of its powers astute,
They curb its aspirations, lest they tend
To crave forbidden fruit.

" " They will not let us climb to lofty heights,
Those wise and reverend teachers of our youth;
They close the door and quench the kindling light,
Lest we should see the truth.

" " They lead us where they say, our feet should tread;
They teach us what to think, what to believe;
Warn us of thousands lost who were misled
By false lights that deceive.

" " They tell us, " Thus and thus saith God; " and so,
The fountain head of knowledge closed and sealed,
We may not question more nor seek to know
What He hath not revealed.

" " They bind our winged thoughts with fetters wrought
By Superstition, in his monkish cell,
And fill our minds with dreams, by priestcraft taught
Since fabled Adam fell;

" " Load us with old opinions, stale conceits,
And fables, grown realities by use;
Dogmas and forms that age to age repeats,
As mysteries abstruse.

" " They teach us that the Uncreated One,
With whom is no beginning and no end;
Around whose throne eternal circles run,
Myriads of worlds extend,

" " Was incarnated, of a woman born,
To make atonement for the guilt of man,
Who had repaid His love with slight and scorn,
Since human life began."