My Virtual Reading Room

"What is the real good?"
I asked in musing mood.

Order, said the law court;
Knowledge, said the school;

Truth, said the wise man;
Pleasure, said the fool;
Love, said a maiden;
Beauty, said the page;
Freedom, said the dreamer;
Home, said the sage;
Fame, said the soldier;
Equity, the seer;--

Spake my heart full sadly,
"The answer is not here."

Then within my bosom
Softly this I heard:
"Each heart holds the secret;
Kindness is the word."

(John Boyle O'Reilly)