The Idol.
I
have known it young, I have known it old,1
I have found an idol of purest gold,2
And yet there has always come a day3
When I saw that the idol’s feet were clay.4
Of purest gold was fashioned the rest,5
In that one idol I loved the best ;6
And ah ! that there should be this to say,7
That the feet were clay, the feet were clay.8
You may watch till watching outdoes your might,9
Never the gold is a whit less bright ;10
The idol never shall lose a ray,11
But the feet are clay, the feet are clay.12
I had counted, half knowing, the cost before ;13
‘ If only the idol is mine to adore,’14
I cried, ‘ it is naught if the trumpets bray15
That the feet are clay, the feet are clay.16
‘ If the thunder’s voice should bear it afar17
That the idol is what all idols are ;18
If I take them for gold what matters it, pray,19
If the feet of the idol are only clay ? ’20
And yet the news one day must come21
With tune of harp or rattle of drum,22
In strife of squadrons, on moonlit bay,23
That the feet after all are nothing but clay.24
Let the people tell it, and let them repeat25
What tales they like of the idol’s feet,26
To this assurance my life I’ll hold,27
That the idol’s heart is of purest gold.28
A worshipper must be brave and wise—29
The gold is a dauntless gazer’s prize ;30
’Tis the blind who chant in the same dull way31
That the feet of our idols are always clay.32
Let the darkened eyes of the blind awake,33
Let them see the truth for the truth’s own sake,34
They shall know ’tis a foolish tale is told,35
That even the feet are of aught but gold.36
Let the blind but open their eyes to the light,37
Nay, let them see truth in their visions of night,38
So shall they an idol fashioned behold,39
Through and through of the purest gold.40