Song + 

VIII + 

Human Folly + 

Alas! how wide astray + 

Doth Ignorance these wretched mortals lead + 

From Truth’s own way! + 

For not on leafy stems + 

Do ye within the green wood look for gold, + 

Nor strip the vine for gems; + 

Your nets ye do not spread + 

Upon the hilltops, that the groaning board + 

With fish be furnishèd; + 

If ye are fain to chase + 

The bounding goat, ye sweep not in vain search + 

The ocean’s ruffled face. + 

The sea’s far depths they know, + 

Each hidden nook, wherein the waves o’erwash + 

The pearl as white as snow; + 

Where lurks the Tyrian shell, + 

Where fish and prickly urchins do abound, + 

All this they know full well. + 

But not to know or care + 

Where hidden lies the good all hearts desire⁠— + 

This blindness they can bear; + 

With gaze on earth low-bent, + 

They seek for that which reacheth far beyond + 

The starry firmament. + 

What curse shall I call down + 

On hearts so dull? May they the race still run + 

For wealth and high renown! + 

And when with much ado + 

The false good they have grasped⁠—ah, then too late!⁠— + 

May they discern the true! + 