Art
by Herman Melville
In placid hours well-pleased we dream Of many a brave unbodied scheme. But form to lend, pulsed life create, What unlike things must meet and mate: A flame to meltβa wind to freeze; Sad patienceβjoyous energies; Humilityβyet pride and scorn; Instinct and study; love and hate; Audacityβreverence. These must mate, And fuse with Jacob's mystic heart, To wrestle with the angelβArt.