Herba Santa

by Herman Melville

　　

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IAfter long wars when comes releaseNot olive wands proclaiming peace Can import dearer shareThan stems of Herba Santa hazed In autumn's Indian air.Of moods they breathe that care disarm,They pledge us lenitive and calm.IIShall code or creed a lure affordTo win all selves to Love's accord?When Love ordained a supper divine For the wide world of man,What bickerings o'er his gracious wine! Then strange new feuds began.Effectual more in lowlier way, Pacific Herb, thy sensuous pleaThe bristling clans of Adam sway At least to fellowship in thee!Before thine altar tribal flags are furled,Fain wouldst thou make one hearthstone of the world.IIITo scythe, to sceptre, pen and hod— Yea, sodden laborers dumb;To brains overplied, to feet that plod,In solace of the Truce of God The Calumet has come!IVAh for the world ere Raleigh's find Never that knew this suasive balmThat helps when Gilead's fails to heal, Helps by an interserted charm.Insinuous thou that through the nerve Windest the soul, and so canst winSome from repinings, some from sin, The Church's aim thou dost subserve.The ruffled fag fordone with care And brooding, God would ease this pain:Him soothest thou and smoothest down Till some content return again.Even ruffians feel thy influence breed Saint Martin's summer in the mind,They feel this last evangel plead,As did the first, apart from creed, Be peaceful, man—be kind!VRejected once on higher plain,O Love supreme, to come again Can this be thine?Again to come, and win us too In likeness of a weedThat as a god didst vainly woo, As man more vainly bleed?VIForbear, my soul! and in thine Eastern chamber Rehearse the dream that brings the long release:Through jasmine sweet and talismanic amber Inhaling Herba Santa in the passive Pipe of Peace.

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