The Base of All Metaphysics

And now, gentlemen,
A word I give to remain in your memories and minds,
As base, and finale too, for all metaphysics.

(So, to the students, the old professor,
At the close of his crowded course.) 5

Having studied the new and antique, the Greek and
　　　Germanic systems,
Kant having studied and stated--Fichte and Schelling
　　　and Hegel,
Stated the lore of Plato--and Socrates, greater than
　　　Plato,
And greater than Socrates sought and stated--Christ
　　　divine having studied long,
I see reminiscent to-day those Greek and Germanic
　　　systems, 10
See the philosophies all--Christian churches and tenets
　　　see,
Yet underneath Socrates clearly see--and underneath
　　　Christ the divine I see,
The dear love of man for his comrade--the attraction of
　　　friend to friend,
Of the well-married husband and wife--of children and
　　　parents,
Of city for city, and land for land. 15