Gotthold Ephraim Lessing; The Three Kingdoms of Nature
Channel: Age of Enlightenment
Date: 15/11/2015

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing 1729-1781
The Three Kingdoms of Nature 

I SOUGHT, while drinking, to unfold 
Why nature's kingdoms are three-fold. 
Both man and beast, they drink and love 
As each is lifted from above; 
The dolphin, eagle, dog and flea, 
In that they love and drink, agree: 
In all that drink and love then we 
The first of these three kingdoms see. 

The plants the second kingdom are, 
But lower in creation far; 
They do not love, but yet they drink, 
When dripping clouds upon them sink; 
Thus drinks the clover, thus the pine, 
The aloe-tree, the branching vine: 
In all that drink, but love not, we 
The second of these kingdoms see. 

The stony kingdom is the last, 
Here diamonds with sand are classed; 
No stone feels thirst, or soft desires, 
No love, no draught its bosom fires  
In all that drink not, love not, we 
The last of these three kingdoms see. 
For without love, or wine, now own! 
What wouldst thou be, O man? A stone.