How often have the critics, trained br To look upon the sky br Through telescopes securely chained, br Forgot the naked eye. br br Within the compass of their glass br Each smallest star they knew, br And not a meteor could pass br But they were looking through. br br When a new planet shed its rays br Beyond their field of vision, br And simple folk ran out to gaze, br They laughed in high derision. br br They railed upon the senseless throng br Who cheered the brave new light. br And yet the learned men were wrong, br The simple folk were right.