Page:Ferishtah's fancies - Browning (1884).djvu/74

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FERISHTAH'S FANCIES.
So think!—for certain: think the mass—mankind—Disparts, disperses, leaves thyself alone!Ask thy lone soul what laws are plain to thee,—Thee and no other,—stand or fall by them!That is the part for thee: regard all elseFor what it may be—Time's illusion. ThisBe sure of—ignorance that sins, is safe.No punishment like knowledge! Instance, now!My father's choicest treasure was a bookWherein he, day by day and year by year,Recorded gains of wisdom for my sakeWhen I should grow to manhood. While a child,Coming upon the casket where it layUnguarded,—what did I but toss the thingInto a fire to make more flame therewith,
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