Songs of Innocence and Experience

<h3><SPAN name="38">THE HUMAN ABSTRACT</SPAN></h3> Pity would be no more<br/> If we did not make somebody poor,<br/> And Mercy no more could be<br/> If all were as happy as we. <br/><br/>And mutual fear brings Peace,<br/> Till the selfish loves increase;<br/> Then Cruelty knits a snare,<br/> And spreads his baits with care. <br/><br/>He sits down with his holy fears,<br/> And waters the ground with tears;<br/> Then Humility takes its root<br/> Underneath his foot. <br/><br/>Soon spreads the dismal shade<br/> Of Mystery over his head,<br/> And the caterpillar and fly<br/> Feed on the Mystery. <br/><br/>And it bears the fruit of Deceit,<br/> Ruddy and sweet to eat,<br/> And the raven his nest has made<br/> In its thickest shade. <br/><br/>The gods of the earth and sea<br/> Sought through nature to find this tree,<br/> But their search was all in vain:<br/> There grows one in the human Brain. <hr width="150"><br/> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />