The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-05-21
DELUSiONS.

As diamonds sparkle in the light.
Are rayless in the shades OF night
Or seen through coiorca glass appear
The color Of the glass TO wear:
So do the windows Of the soul
The images within control;
Their forms and colors. light and shade
Are By the outward senses made.
Through perfect vision nature shines.
shows beaateous forms and graceful lines,
But spectral shapes and funeral gloom,
Through morbid sight. and film and rheum.
And taste deprayed is prone TO cheat
Will make q nauseous weed seem sweet,
And poisonous drinks, and noxious food,
Preferred 10 wholesome. pure and good.
The ear. to jargon bred and used,
Will hear harmonious notes confused.
Or membrane stunned or rent, mayhap
By cannon boom or thunderclap,
VIII say there is no voice nor sound,
Though Babers builders CHATTER round.
THIS weaken or perverted sense
will serve US with incompetence,
Or manifest vicious force
And run true nature out OF course.
And thus each groveling sordid mind
Will search the world in vain TO find
The shining treasures manifold
its mines OF thought and wisdom hold.
Foul passions stains and gloomy doubt
Will shut the blessed visions out.
To dingy drosS change lustrous gold,
And paint the fresh earth grim and old
Turn diamond TO o worthless stone,
And chiIdhood's laughter TO groan.
See how distorted partial views
Through dim and narrow avenues
Make shadows seem as real things,
And warp our best imaginings.
And mortals thus deludcd rest
On fame and gain to make them blest,
Forget what wise experience says,
And cling TO broken promises;
On fame-that vague, unreal form
Whose heart no generous feelings warm.
Whose outstretched hand no love imparts.
But points them out for envy's darts;
and cruel mammon-that false god
Men worship while he plies the rod.
They groan. but still his service keep.
Though wounds and nightmare murder slceI
Most cruel oft when worshiped most,
He li!ts them as jeering ghost
Then sinks amid the gloom away.
As night absorbs the waning day.
Yet more deceived the idle throng
Who row no boat. but float along.
Who quit the fields Of useful strife.
And make childish toy OF life.
Deem pleasure paradise enough.
And waste their hour at blind mans BUM"
And, catching shadows wildly guess
Each phantom form Is happiness;
But blind see not her shining face,
And pass her in their hapless chase.
Meanwhile she laughs and sings for all
Who hear and heed her gracious call:
" Go, seek me not with selfish breast,
TO be alone OF bliss possessed;
Your motive would defeat your aim:
To win me thus would change my name.
When thus pursued rise and fly,
AS scared bird from hunters eye.
Go, sec and hear, and taste and feel,
All God and nature will reveal;
But keep your spirits windows clean,
That visions may be clearly seen.
Lest in your twilight specter> rise,
Or vices pose in virtues guise.
For truth and duty you must learn.
And real from the false discern.
You'll see me when your eyes are free
From covcting and jealousy.
Your gladdenei ear will hear my voice.
When yours has made the sad rejoice.
You'll feel my presence when your hand
Has helped fallen one to stand.
You'll clasp me in rapt embrace,
When your love clasps the human race"
". T. w. Horton, in Western Rural.