DE TE 



The ravage of a reckless life ; 



The havoc of a hurricane 

 Of passions through that breadth of brain, 



Like headlong horses that had run 

 Riot, regardless of the rein — 



'* Madman, he might have lived and done 



Better than most men," whisper'd one. 



The beams and blots that Heaven allots 



To every life with life begin. 

 Fool ! would you change the leopard's 

 spots, 



Or blanch the Ethiopian's skin ? 

 What more could he have hoped to win, 



What better things have thought to gain, 

 So shapen — so conceived in sin ? 



No life is wholly void and vain, 



Just and unjust share sun and rain. 



Were new life sent and life misspent 



Wiped out (if such to God seem'd good), 



Would he (being as he was) repent. 

 Or could he, even if he would, 



Who heeded not things understood 



(Though dimly) even in savage lands 



203 



