" I read his printed words, and, in despite
Of my conviction that they would ensnare,
My thoughts, like moths, went hovering round the light —
So dangerous, yet so fair.

" With glowing hues, his wonder-working pen
Painted bright pictures of the fair and good;
The while he set before his fellow men
A feast of poisonous food.

" I said: " I will avoid him and forget
These subtle arguments that give me pain;
But whensoe'er by choice or chance we met,
I listened rapt again.

" Till, shall I own it? Was it overbold?
No matter now — the memory is sweet:
My heart poured out its treasures, all untold,
Unasked, at this man's feet.

" I knew our paths, that lay so far apart,
Could never meet on earth, and yet it seemed
That we should be united, heart to heart,
Somewhere — and so I dreamed.

" And, in my dream strange aspirations came,
Not for applause of men nor golden gain —
A nobler purpose and a loftier aim
Inspired my teeming brain.

" My thoughts took higher range and larger scope;
I saw a work for heart, mind, soul and pen,
And life grew brighter with the blessed hope
Of doing good to men.

" Of the assumption of the rich and strong,
The degradation of the poor and weak,
Of want, of wretchedness and cruel wrong,
I had the right to speak.