'The Human Abstract'

'The Human Abstract' is the partner poem in Songs of Experience, and it looks at the same virtues with a much darker eye.

Pity would not exist if no one were made poor; Mercy would not exist if all were as happy as we. Peace comes only from mutual fear, until selfish loves increase.

Then Cruelty knits a snare (a trap), and spreads his baits with care. He sits down with 'holy fears', and waters the ground with tears. Humility takes root underneath his foot.

Soon the dismal shade of Mystery spreads over his head, and the Caterpillar and the Fly feed on it.

The tree bears the fruit of Deceit, ruddy and sweet to eat; and the Raven, a bird of death, makes his nest in its thickest shade.

The gods of the earth and sea searched through all nature to find this tree, but their search was in vain: it grows in the Human Brain. Selfish, calculating reason, not nature, is the root of cruelty and deceit.