He had a rich man or two Who took up with him against the powerful frown Which looked him down. For you'll always find a rich man or two To take up with anything. There are those who can't get into society or bring Their riches to a social recognition; Or ill-formed souls who lack the real patrician Spirit for life. But as for him he didn't care, he passed Where the richness of living was rife. And like wise Goethe talking to the last With cabmen rather than with lords He sat about the markets and the fountains, He walked about the country and the mountains, Took trips upon the lakes and waded fords Barefooted, laughing as a young animal Disports itself amid the festival Of warm winds, sunshine, summer's carnival-- With laborers, carpenters, seamen And some loose women. And certain notable sinners Gave him dinners. And he went to weddings and to places where youth slakes Its thirst for happiness, and they served him cakes And wine wherever he went. And he ate and drank and spent His time in feasting and in telling stories, And singing poems of lilies and of trees, With crowds of people crowded around his knees That searched with lightning secrets hidden Of life and of life's glories, Of death and of the soul's way after death. Time makes amends usually for scandal's breath, Which touched him to his earthly ruination. But this city had a Civic Federation, And a certain social order which intrigues Through churches, courts, with an endless ramification Of money and morals to save itself. And this city had a Bar Association, Also its Public Efficiency Leagues For laying honest men upon the shelf While making private pelf Secure and free to increase. And this city had illustrious Pharisees And this city had a legion Of men who make a business of religion, With eyes one inch apart, Dark and narrow of heart, Who give themselves and give the city no peace, And who are everywhere the best police For Life as business. And when they saw this youth Was telling the truth, And that his followers were multiplying, And were going about rejoicing and defying The social order and were stirring up The dregs of discontent in the cup With the hand of their own happiness, They saw dynamic mysteries In the poems of lilies and trees, Therefore they held him for a felony.