Religious Isolation
By Matthew Arnold
Children (as such forgive them) have I known,
Ever in their own eager pastime bent
To make the incurious bystander, intent
On his own swarming thoughts, an interest own;
Too fearful or too fond to play alone.
Do thou, whom light in thine own inmost soul
(Not less thy boast) illuminates, control
Wishes unworthy of a man full-grown.
What though the holy secret which moulds thee
Moulds not the solid Earth? though never Winds
Have whisperd it to the complaining Sea,
Natures great law, and law of all mens minds
To its own impulse every creature stirs:
Live by thy light, and Earth will live by hers