538 ZOOLOGY 



THE LAST LECTURE 



Our course is run, our harvest garnered in, 



And taking stock of what we have, we note how life, 



This strange, mysterious life which now we hold and now 



eludes our grasp, 



Is governed still by natural law, and its events 

 Tread on each other's heels, each one compelled to follow 



where the first has led. 

 Noting all this, and judging by the past, 

 We form our plans, until we know at last 

 The treasure in the future's lap. 



The man, the plant, the beast, must all obey this law, 

 Since in the early dawn of this old world 

 The law was given, and the stuff was made 

 Which still alone can hold the breath of life : 

 Whereby we know that grass and man are kin, 

 The bond a common substance which within 

 Controls their growth. 



Can we know all ? Nay, but the major part 



Of all that is must still elude our grasp, 



For life transcends itself, and slowly noting what it is, 



Gathers but fragments from the stream of time. 



Thus what we teach is only partly true. 



Not knowing all, we act as if we knew, 

 Compelled to act or die. 



Yet as we grow in wisdom and in skill 

 The upward path is steeper and each step 

 Comes nigher unto heaven, piercing the clouds 

 Which heretofore have hid the stars from view. 



The new-gained knowledge seems to fill the air, 

 It seems to us the soul of truth is there. 

 Our quest is won. 



