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Coventry Patmore - The Circles
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‘Within yon world-wide cirque of war
              What`s hidden which they fight so for?’
              My guide made answer, ‘Rich increase
              Of virtue and use, which are by peace,
              And peace by war. That inner ring
              Are craftsmen, working many a thing
              For use, and, these within, the wise
              Explore the grass and read the skies.’
              ‘Can the stars’ motions give me peace,
               Or the herbs` virtues mine increase?
               Of all this triple shell,’ said I,
               ‘Would that I might the kernel spy!’
               A narrower circle then I reach`d,
               Where sang a few and many preach`d
               Of life immortal. ‘But,’ I said,
               ‘The riddle yet I have not read.
               Life I must know, that care I may
               For life in me to last for aye.’
               Then he, ‘Those voices are a charm
               To keep yon dove-cot out of harm.’
               In the centre, then, he show`d a tent
               Where, laughing safe, a woman bent
               Over her babe, and, her above,
               Lean`d in his turn a graver love.
               ‘Behold the two idolatries
               By which,’ cried he, ‘the world defies
               Chaos and death, and for whose sake
               All else must war and work and wake.’
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