I set my heart on being good, Believed the Bible to the letter, Yes, joined a Christian brotherhood When I was young and knew no better;
And, if I sometimes sinned, I wept That God's commandments were not kept. As time went on, I understood That it was wrong to be so good.
My heart I set on being wise And passing for a clever fellow: Reading o’ nights I spoilt my eyes, And lack of fresh air turned me yellow.
Each book I read said t’ other lied, I saw the less the more I pried, And so I found, to my surprise, I was a fool to be so wise.
I set my heart on making friends Pleasant and clever, kind and witty; They now are at the earth's four ends, Two only have n't left the city.
The one is given up to trade, The other in the churchyard laid. And when youth's gone and leisure ends, It is too late for making friends.
I set my heart upon a girl Who chose at my approach to smile. Did she but pat some frizzled curl, I knew the angel free from guile.
But now a rich man owns my belle, I find the others smile as well, And my moustache no more I twirl, Nor set my heart upon a girl.
I set my heart on seeing things, And wished through every land to travel, See Troja's ruins, Nikis’ springs, And culture's history unravel.
When many a sea had made me sick, Men still were bipeds, houses brick. Since nearer Truth no journey brings I make an end of seeing things.
I set my heart on politics; I glowed for honesty and freedom. My earnest thoughts I tried to fix Upon the poor, and how to feed‘ em.
But the reformer cheats himself, He serves his prejudice or pelf, And no man's will but inward fate Governs the fortunes of the state.
I set my heart on nothing now, But bless the gifts of every hour, Holding my hand beneath life's bough To catch the fruit or falling flower.
With the world breathing at my feet, I find the sunset stillness sweet, And with the night wind on my brow I set my heart on nothing now.
He scarce had done, when the last man, Who'd listened hard to every word, Thus, rising in his place, began As if impatient to be heard:
Cookies on Poetry Cove