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1824–1905

PROFESSOR NOCTUTUS.

George MacDonald

Nobody knows the world but me. The rest go to bed; I sit up and see. I'm a better observer than any of you all, For I never look out till the twilight fall,

And never then without green glasses, And that is how my wisdom passes. I never think, for that is not fit: I observe. I have seen the white moon sit

On her nest, the sea, like a fluffy owl, Hatching the boats and the long-legged fowl! When the oysters gape — you may make a note — She drops a pearl into every throat.

I can see the wind: can you do that? I see the dreams he has in his hat, I see him shaking them out as he goes, I see them rush in at man's snoring nose.

Ten thousand things you could not think, I can write down plain with pen and ink! You know that I know; therefore pull off your hat, Whether round and tall, or square and flat:

You cannot do better than trust in me; You may shut your eyes in fact — I see! Lifelong I will lead you, and then, like the owl, I will bury you nicely with my spade and showl.

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PROFESSOR NOCTUTUS. · George MacDonald · Poetry Cove