Henry Van Dyke (Генри Ван Дайк)

Two Schools


I put my heart to school
In the world, where men grow wise,
”Go out,” I said, ”and learn the rule;
Come back when you win a prize.”

My heart came back again:
”Now where is the prize?” I cried. ----
”The rule was false, and the prize was pain,
And the teacher’s name was Pride.”

I put my heart to school
In the woods, where veeries sing,
And brooks run cool and clear;
In the fields, where wild flowers spring,
And the blue of heaven bends near.
”Go out,” I said: ”you are half a fool,
But perhaps they can teach you here.”

”And why do you stay so long,
My heart, and where do you roam?”
The answer came with a laugh and a song, ---
”I find this school is home.”

Henry Van Dyke’s other poems:

  1. The Statue of Sherman by St. Gaudens
  2. The Wind of Sorrow
  3. Spring in the South
  4. Urbs Coronata
  5. Francis Makemie




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