THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT
It was six men of Indostan, To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation, Might satisfy his mind.
Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation, Might satisfy his mind.
The First approach’d the Elephant, And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl:
“God bless me! but the Elephant, Is very like a wall!”
Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl:
“God bless me! but the Elephant, Is very like a wall!”
The Second, feeling of the tusk, Cried, -”Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp? To me ‘tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant, Is very like a spear!”
So very round and smooth and sharp? To me ‘tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant, Is very like a spear!”
The Third approached the animal, And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake:
“I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant, Is very like a snake!”
The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake:
“I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant, Is very like a snake!”
The Fourth reached out his eager hand, And felt about the knee.
“What most this wondrous beast is like, Is mighty plain,” quoth he,
“’Tis clear enough the Elephant, Is very like a tree!”
“What most this wondrous beast is like, Is mighty plain,” quoth he,
“’Tis clear enough the Elephant, Is very like a tree!”
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: “E’en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant, Is very like a fan!”
Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant, Is very like a fan!”
The Sixth no sooner had begun, About the beast to grope,
Then, seizing on the swinging tail, That fell within his scope,
“I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant, Is very like a rope!”
Then, seizing on the swinging tail, That fell within his scope,
“I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant, Is very like a rope!”
And so these men of Indostan, Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion, Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong!
Each in his own opinion, Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong!
So oft in theologic wars, The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance, Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant, Not one of them has seen!
Rail on in utter ignorance, Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant, Not one of them has seen!
