A time there was—as one may guess
And as, indeed, earth's testimonies tell -
         Before the birth of consciousness,
                 When all went well.

         None suffered sickness, love, or loss,
None knew regret, starved hope, or heart-burnings;
         None cared whatever crash or cross
                 Brought wrack to things.

         If something ceased, no tongue bewailed,
If something winced and waned, no heart was wrung;
         If brightness dimmed, and dark prevailed,
                 No sense was stung.

         But the disease of feeling germed,
And primal rightness took the tinct of wrong;
         Ere nescience shall be reaffirmed
                 How long, how long?