The Real Good

�What is the real good?�

I asked in musing mood.

�Order,� said the law court;

�Knowledge,� said the school;

�Truth,� said the wise man;

�Pleasure,� said the fool;

�Love,� said the maiden;

�Beauty,� said the page;

�Freedom,� said the dreamer;

�Home,� said the sage;

�Fame,� said the soldier;

�Equity,� said the seer.

Spake my Heart fully sad:

�The answer is not here.�

Then within my bosom

Softly this I heard:

�Each heart holds the secret:

�Kindness� is the word.�

-- John Boyle O�Reilly