Lapsus Calami (Apr 1891)/The Philosopher and Philanthropist

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On the Fly-Leaf of Maclise's Portrait Gallery
Lapsus Calami
by J.K.S.
The Philosopher and Philanthropist
The Critic's Speech
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First published in Out of School at Eton and later included in Lapsus Calami. In the third and subsequent editions it is followed immediately by "To a Friend".

1787871Lapsus Calami — The Philosopher and PhilanthropistJ.K.S.
​

The Philosopher and Philanthropist.

Searching an infinite Where,
Probing a bottomless When,
Dreamfully wandering,
Ceaselessly pondering,
What is the Wherefore of men:
Bartering life for a There,
Selling his soul for a Then,
Baffling obscurity,
Conning futurity,
Usefulest, wisest of men!

Grasping the Present of Life,
Seizing a definite Now,
Labouring thornfully,
Banishing scornfully
Doubts of his Whither and How:
Spending his substance in Strife,
Working a practical How,
Letting obscurity
Rest on futurity,
Usefuler, wiser, I trow.

Published in Out of School at Eton, 1878. 

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