Man is not What he Wills (excerpt) Leonard Swain
Man is not what he wills; the simple child,
That, pouting, hunts the dreamy butterfly,
Doth pause at sudden, of his prey beguiled,
A smitten victim of the western sky.
When o’er the burning hills it takes the sun
To that bright place of happiness and gold;
And as he turns away, the lesson done,
Here goes another child , by other thoughts controlled.
The Reverend Leonard Swain was the first minister of Central Congregational Church (1852-1869). The above is his only surviving poem. His great-granddaughter, Susan Swain Tabor, is currently writing a book about Reverend Swain. She has donated his sermons, letters, and other manuscript documents in her possession to CCC.
Man is not What he Wills (excerpt)
— Leonard Swain
Man is not what he wills; the simple child,
That, pouting, hunts the dreamy butterfly,
Doth pause at sudden, of his prey beguiled,
A smitten victim of the western sky.
When o’er the burning hills it takes the sun
To that bright place of happiness and gold;
And as he turns away, the lesson done,
Here goes another child , by other thoughts controlled.
The Reverend Leonard Swain was the first minister of Central Congregational Church (1852-1869). The above is his only surviving poem. His great-granddaughter, Susan Swain Tabor, is currently writing a book about Reverend Swain. She has donated his sermons, letters, and other manuscript documents in her possession to CCC.