All in a garden fair; the simple story of three boys ... - University Library

2i6 ALL IX A GARDEN FAIR.
^vllicll oiiirlit to fit you for it. A poet should
know tlie Voice of nature. You were brought
up in tlio solitudes among the trees and thu
silence of the forest. A poet should know the
great works of other poets. You have read the
best of French and English poets. A poet
should >h()W himsuir I'cady to struggle against
adverse circumstances. You have served your
apprenticeship in being forced to spend your
days in a City ofTu^c. A ])oet should know the
Voice of Art. You have learnal to recognise
that Voice, Allen ; your education is comj)lete,
except one thing.'
' What is tliat I-' ' he
asked.
' "i'ou have not yet learned to know the
Voice of the Teople.'
' Oh I " said Will, who was also present.
Ikit he s:iid no more, and therefore we are quite
free to guess what he meant ; but I tliink he
remembered a ceitain saying of M. Philipon's
about Tliimaiiily.
*
I was myself,' Hector continued, ' the poet
of Humanity. Wliat else a poet e.\i>ts for I