Explore "Two Schools (Lyrics)" by Henry Van Dyke on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
I put my heart to school / In the world, where men grow wise, / "Go out," I said, "and learn the rule; / "Come back when you win a prize."
My heart came back again: / "Now where is the prize? " I cried. -- / "The rule was false, and the prize was pain, / "And the teacher's name was Pride."
I put my heart to school / In the woods, where veeries sing, / And brooks run cool and clear; / In the fields, where wild flowers spring, / And the blue of heaven bends near. / "Go out," I said: "you are half a fool, / "But perhaps they can teach you here."
"And why do you stay so long, / "My heart, and where do you roam? " / The answer came with a laugh and a song, -- / "I find this school is home."
April, 1901.