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ReadingWillow structured literacy program for Australian students
Poetry Library

— Stephen Crane

I stood upon a high place,

And saw, below, many devils

Running, leaping,

And carousing in sin.

…

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adjective

Engaged in or ready for action; characterized by energetic work, thought, or speech.

“The students were very active in class discussions, asking many thoughtful questions.”

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THE OPEN SECRET.

59 lines
Coventry Patmore·1823–1896
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he Heavens repeat no other Song,And, plainly or in parable,The Angels trust, in each man's tongue,The Treasure's safety to its size.In shameful HellThe Lily in last corruption lies,Where known 'tis, rotten-lily-wise,By the strange foulness of the smell.Earth, that, in this arcanum, spiesProof of high kinship unconceiv'd,By all desired and disbeliev'd,Shews fancies, in each thing that is,Which nothing mean, not meaning this,Yea, does from her own law, to hint it, err,As 'twere a trust too huge for her.Maiden and Youth pipe wondrous clearThe tune they are the last to hear.'Tis the strange gem in Pleasure's cup.Physician and Philosopher,In search of acorns, plough it up,But count it nothing 'mong their gains;Nay, call it pearl, they'd answer, 'Lo,Blest Land where pearls as large as pumpkins grow!'And would not even rend you for your pains.To tell men truth, yet keep them darkAnd shooting still beside the mark,God, as in jest, gave to their wish,The Sign of Jonah and the Fish.'Tis the name new, on the white stone,To none but them that have it known;And even these can scarce believe, but cry,'When turn'd was Sion's captivity,Then were we, yea, and yet we seemLike them that dream!'In Spirit 'tis a punctual rayOf peace that sheds more light than day;In Will and Mind'Tis the easy path so hard to find;In Heart, a pain not to be told,Were words mere honey, milk, and gold;I' the Body 'tis the bag of the bee;In all, the present, thousandfold amendsMade to the sad, astonish'd lifeOf him that leaves house, child, and wife,And on God's 'hest, almost despairing, wends,As little guessing as the herdWhat a strange Phoenix of a birdBuilds in this tree,But only intending all that He intends.To this, the Life of them that live,If God would not, thus far, give tongue,Ah, why did He his secret giveTo one that has the gift of song?But all He does He doubtless means,And, if the Mystery that smites Prophets dumbHere, to the grace-couch'd eyes of some,Shapes to its living face the clinging shroud,Perchance the Skies grow tired of screens,And 'tis His Advent in the Cloud.
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