The Real Good?
What is the real good?
I asked in musing mood.
Order, said the law-court;
Knowledge, said the school;
Truth, said the wise man;
Pleasure, said the fool;
Love, said the maiden;
Beauty, said the page;
Freedom, said the dreamer;
Home, said the sage;
Fame, said the soldier;
Equity, the seer: -
Spake my heart full sadly,
“The answer is not here.”
Then within my bosom,
Softly this I heard,
“Each heart holds the secret,
Kindness is the word!”
Poet: John Boyle O'Reilly