Sonnet for Simplicity

Should you discover on that height   
   Some simple race still wrapped in ignorance,   
   Untaught in tales of man's immense advance 
From the deep dark of neolithic night      
   To triumph, and that glorious upward flight   
   With all its count of pride and circumstance, 
   Of war and pageantry and high romance 
That brought our lovely world to its last plight - 

Should you meet such, ah, seek not to invoke 
   Our gods of progress for them, nor increase     
Man's knowledge 'mid these foolish, favoured folk.   
   Climb down, climb down again in haste and cease 
Conversion, with man's message yet unspoke: 
   And leave them to their folly - and their peace.