Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 123, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 May 1919 — WHAT THEN IS LIFE? [ARTICLE]

WHAT THEN IS LIFE?

“What ia Life?" I asked of a wanton child. As he chased a butterfly; And his laugh gushed out all joyous and wild. As the Insect flitted by. “What is Life?” I asked. “Oh, tell me, I pray!’ His echoes rang merrily, “Life is Play!” “What is Life?” I asked of the maiden ... „fair.— —-- And I watched'her glowing cheek. As the blushes deepened and softened there,' And the dimples played "hide and seek.” “What is Life? Can you tell me its fullest measure?” She smilingly answered, "Life is Pleasure!” "What is life?" I asked of a soldier brave, As he grasped the hilt of his sword. As he planted his foot on a /oeman’s grave And looked "creation’s lord,” "What is Life?” I queried. “Oh, tell me its story!” His brow grew bright as he answered, “Glory!" \ > "What is Life?” I asked a mother proud. As she bent o’er her babe asleep. With a low, hushed tone, lest a thought aloud Might waken its slumber deep. Her smile turned grave, though wondrous in beauty, As she made reply, “Life? Life is Duty!" I turned to the father, who stood nearby, , And gazed on his wife with pride; Then a tear of joy shone bright in his eye For the treasure that lay at her'side; I listened well*for the tale that should come: z "My life?” he cried. "My life is Home!” "What is Life?" I asked the statesman grand. The idol of the hour; The fate of a nation ,was in his hand; He. sickening, turned from the world’s call ‘ ress. “ 'Tis a bubble!" he cried. ’Tis emptiness!” I turned and asked my inner heart What story it could unfold; It bounded quick in its pulse's start ' As the record it unrolled. I read on the page, "Love, Hope. Joy, Strife— What the heart would make it—such is Life!” —Sarah Brock, an English Poet of the Early Nineteenth Century.