Thus, from a hearth and rough shed, rose a home, With revolutions many thence to come; And when stop? With comfort, unknown of old, Men grew impatient of rude toil and cold. Plenty and leisure stirred the torpid heart; And love and tenderness required their part. Marriage fought free-love; couples plighted troth; And offspring were the property of both. Pledges of love, they had power to warm Beyond the circle where they were life’s charm. How could a father keep a heart of stone, When he felt a child’s throbbing on his own? Tenderness breeds tenderness; men at length Recognized binding duties owed by strength To weakness—assuming what it has willed Must be done—in the stammer of a child Dictating to its father. From the hearth Sympathy with helplessness spread through Earth. Right of the weak was the keystone whereon Neighbours that would not do or see wrong done, Founded their leagues; AND THOUGH SOME BASE WAR-LORD WOULD HERE AND THERE BE FALSE TO HIS SWORN WORD, THE BEST, THE MAIN PART, STOOD BY THEIRS, PURE, CHASTE:— Else, mankind had perished, Earth been a waste! Throughout it all, Mankind was being taught To voice the rising requirements of Thought. Gradual process! Gesture was first stage; The fingers point a want in infant age. Each creature feels what force the best to spend To indicate a need, and gain an end. An angry calf soon after it is born, Butts with forehead not armed as yet with horn; Whelps of panthers, and cubs of lions treat As weapons teeth to be, and clawless feet. Chickens ruffle spread-wings, as at a foe, Threatening trespassers things they might do. What emotion will not all beasts succeed In expressing, though without speech, at need? Your Molossian draws back his large, soft lips, And shews his hard teeth! Strangers, ware, he grips! Then comes an old friend of the Master’s—hark! With frolic round and round, the joyous bark! So with the whole tribe; whether in a glow Of love they lick their pups; or to and fro Roll them—mimic rage—and bare, as to glut Cannibal hunger, teeth in jaws half shut. All who know but a little of the kind, And listen to the scolding match, will find Worlds of difference from the doleful bay Of hound deserted, whipt, cow’ring away. Horses, again; does not the rule apply? You tell by a steed’s neigh that mares are nigh; Straightway he feels the spur of wingéd love; They interpret his challenge to the drove. But—nostrils spread, the neigh become a snort; War steeds, jangling armour, pass—he would join the sport! Nor are birds, ospreys, gulls, without their choice Of vents for feeling; all unlike the voice, In wooing, to the hunger-scream of strife, Or victor’s, grappling sea fish for its life. Even, it is believed, some kinds that ride The air have means by varied cries to guide Men’s acts. Rough throated rooks and crows are said