The Poetry Corner

Translations. - The Metaphysician. (From Schiller.)

By George MacDonald

"How far the world lies under me! Scarce can I see the men below there crawling! How high it bears me up, my lofty calling! How near the heavenly canopy!" Thus, from tower-roof where he doth clamber, Calls out the slater; and with him the small big man, Jack Metaphysicus, down in his writing-chamber! Tell me, thou little great big man,-- The tower, whence thou so grandly all things hast inspected, Of what is it?--Whereon is it erected? How cam'st thou up thyself? Its heights so smooth and bare-- How serve they thee but thence into the vale to stare?