A wise man in a crowded street winneth his way with gentleness, Nor rudely pusheth aside the stranger that standeth in his path; He knoweth that blind hurry will but hinder, stirring up contention against him, Yet holdeth he steadily right on, with his face to the scope of his pursuit: Even so, in the congress of opinions, the bustling highway of intelligence, Each man should ask of his neighbour, and yield to him again, concession. Terms ill-defined, and forms misunderstood, and customs, where their reasons are unknown, Have stirred up many zealous souls to fight against imaginary giants: But wisdom will hear the matter out, and often, by keenness of perception, Will find in strange disguise the precious truth he seeketh; So he leaveth unto prejudice or taste the garb and the manner of her presence, Content to see so nigh the mistress of his love. There is no similitude in nature that owneth not also to a difference, Yea, no two berries are alike, though twins upon one stem; No drop in the ocean, no pebble on the beach, no leaf in the forest, hath its counterpart, No mind in its dwelling of mortality, no spirit in the world unseen: And therefore, since capacity and essence differ alike with accident, None but a bigot partizan will hope for impossible unity. Wilt thou ensue peace, nor buffet with the waters of contention, Wilt thou be counted wise and gain the love of men, Let unobtruded error escape the frown of censure, Nor lift the glass of truth alway before thy fellows: I say not, compromise the right, I would not have thee countenance the wrong, But hear with charitable heart the reasons of an honest judgment; For thou also hast erred, and knowest not when thou art most right, Nor whether to-morrow's wisdom may not prove thee simple to-day: Perchance thou art chiding in another what once thou wast thyself; Perchance thou sharply reprovest what thou wilt be hereafter. A man that can render a reason, is a man worthy of an answer; But he that argueth for victory, deserveth not the tenderness of Truth.