Leaf after leaf, like a magician's book, Unfolds the Universe, and needs we now, Cousin of mine (while the whole world doth look Our shoulders over with its rocky brow), In turn our living story must transact Upon the surface of its earthen pages; When the still shade of our most needless act Shall paint itself with iron syllables In the arched sight of unawakened ages; Therefore 'tis ours, and his who with us dwells Beneath the roof of the same starry hour, Both in his own and in the general mind, Which is the world, all truth and good to find, And finding practise to his end of power. @3Feb.@1 29, 1824. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SHALL I SAY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON OCTAVES: 7 by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON JOHN BARLEYCORN by ROBERT BURNS |