our certain arts

in the beginning the true word was fear

of both the sun and the restraining night

of lack of motion and of urgent flight

the rule was terror on earth and in air

so all would tremble and not one would dare

give voice to fervour  truth is not so light

upon our shoulders nor is human might

so sorely lacking that all must despair

when we are banded there's an end to shock

while sorrow must retreat before clear hearts

and terrors be forgotten once again

when we reject the foolish as they mock

our hard-won knowledge and our certain arts

of patience that beat wisdom out of pain