Classic Poem

AN INNOCENT FABLE .

Once on a time, no matter when,
Nor under what a king,
But so it was, in yonder wood,
An Owl began to sing;

With phiz so grave, and whoop so loud,
He made a learned din,
And all the burden of his song
Was " O! the light within!

" This inward light, this jewel hid,
" Is all in all to me,
" By it I know, I judge, and act,
" Nor would I wish to see.

" What blockheads call external guides,
" I'm wiser far without,
" And had I eyes, as others have,
" I'd surely pluck them out.

" No foreign help do I require,
" To guide my flights of youth,
" For common sense is all I need
" To lead me into truth.

" When in self-cogitation wrapt,
" I use my Light innate,
" 'Tis then I search th' eternal laws
" Of nature and of fate.

" Your outward light may be of use
" To yonder herd of fools,
" The light within is what directs
" Philosophers and owls. "

An Ass, who long had been his friend,
Pricks up his leathern ears,
And gapes and swallows every note,
Like music of the spheres.

" So sweet a song so wondrous sweet,
" Was ever such a strain?
" And O! my dearest Doctor Owl,
" Repeat it o'er again! "

Charm'd with the sound of booby's praise,
The self-taught Sage agrees,
And makes additions here and there
A second time to please.

Then o'er and o'er like minstrels meet,
They both in concert act,
And what the one demurely sings,
The other echoes back.

And now the Ass is qualified
To play the Teacher's part,
Till every ass in yonder wood
Has got the song by heart.