Poem by Matthew Arnold

“In Harmony with Nature”

TO A PREACHER.

“In harmony with Nature?” Restless fool,
Who with such heat dost preach what were to thee,
When true, the last impossibility,--
To be like Nature strong, like Nature cool!

Know, man hath all which Nature hath, but more,
And in that _more_ lie all his hopes of good.
Nature is cruel, man is sick of blood;
Nature is stubborn, man would fain adore;

Nature is fickle, man hath need of rest;
Nature forgives no debt, and fears no grave;
Man would be mild, and with safe conscience blest.

Man must begin, know this, where Nature ends;
Nature and man can never be fast friends.
Fool, if thou canst not pass her, rest her slave!

1. A Modern Sappho
2. To George Cruikshank
3. Stanzas Composed at Carnac
4. Written in Butler’s Sermons
5. To the Duke of Wellington

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