John Godfrey Saxe / The Blind Men and the Elephant (1872)
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.The
First approached the elephant,
And happening to fallAgainst 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 hereSo very round and smooth and sharp?
To me 't is mighty clearThis wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!"The
Third approached the animal,
And happening to takeThe 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;"'T is clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!"The
Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: "E'en the blindest manCan 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,Than, 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! MORAL. So, oft in theologic wars
The disputants, I ween,Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,And prate about an ElephantNot one of them has seen!
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This is a fine art giclee print on a 90lb cream-colored 100% rag (cotton) printmaking sheet. Signed and numbered in a limited edition of 175 or open gallery editions.
* Sold Unframed. Check FAQ ↓ for framing info.