Melville’s Gnostic Fragment (Commonplace Book)

Melville, author of Moby-Dick, wrote pretty good poetry, it turns out:

Found and family, build a state
The pledged event is still the same.
Matter in end will never abate
His ancient brutal claim.

Indolence is heaven’s ally here,
And energy the child of hell.
The Good Man pouring from his pitcher clear
But brims the poisoned well.