Here was one, at least, who with unfailing judgment
predicted his own fate; yet his knowledge could not avail
him, and with open eyes he must fulfil his tragic destiny.
Ten years before the end he had written his epitaph; and
neither subsequent events, nor the critical eyes of
posterity, have shown us a word in it to alter. And, lastly,
has he not put in for himself the last unanswerable plea? -
"Then gently scan your brother man,
Still gentler sister woman;
Though they may gang a kennin wrang,
To step aside is human:
One point must still be greatly dark - "
One? Alas! I fear every man and woman of us is "greatly
dark" to all their neighbours, from the day of birth until
death removes them, in their greatest virtues as well as in
their saddest faults; and we, who have been trying to read
the character of Burns, may take home the lesson and be
gentle in our thoughts.
CHAPTER III - WALT WHITMAN
OF late years the name of Walt Whitman has been a good deal
bandied about in books and magazines. It has become familiar
both in good and ill repute. His works have been largely
bespattered with praise by his admirers, and cruelly mauled
and mangled by irreverent enemies. Now, whether his poetry
is good or bad as poetry, is a matter that may admit of a
difference of opinion without alienating those who differ.
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