Imperfection

Not as the eye hath seen, shall we behold
  Romance and beauty, when we've passed away;
  That robed the dull facts of the intimate day
  In life's wild raiment of unusual gold:
  Not as the ear hath heard, shall we be told,
  Hereafter, myth and legend once that lay
  Warm at the heart of Nature, clothing clay
  In attribute of no material mold.
  These were imperfect of necessity,
  That wrought thro' imperfection for far ends
  Of perfectness--As calm philosophy,
  Teaching a child, from his high heav'n descends
  To Earth's familiar things; informingly
  Vesting his thoughts with that it comprehends.