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YOUNG’S
NIGHT THOUGHTS.
YOUNG’S
NIGHT THOUGHTS.
With Life, Critical Dissertation, and
Explanatory Notes,
BY THE
REV. GEORGE GILFILLAN.
**With Life, Critical Analysis, and Explanatory Notes,**
BY THE
REV. GEORGE GILFILLAN.
EDINBURGH:
JAMES NICHOL, 9 NORTH BANK STREET.
LONDON: JAMES NISBET AND CO.
DUBLIN: W. ROBERTSON.
M.DCCC.LIII.
EDINBURGH:
JAMES NICHOL, 9 NORTH BANK STREET.
LONDON: JAMES NISBET AND CO.
DUBLIN: W. ROBERTSON.
1853.
ON THE LIFE AND POETIC GENIUS OF EDWARD YOUNG.
Between the period of George Herbert, and that of Edward Young, some singular changes had taken place in British poetry as well as in British manners, politics, and religion. There had passed over the land the thunderstorm of the Puritanic Revolt, which had first clouded and then cleared, for a season, the intellectual and moral horizon. The effect of this on poetry was, for such fugitive though felicitous hymns as those of Herbert, to substitute the epic unities and grand choral harmonies of Milton. Then came the Restoration—the Apotheosis of falsehood; including in that term false principles, false politics, and false taste. Britain became the degraded slave of France, at once in laws and in literature. Dryden, indeed, maintained, in some measure, the character and the taste of his nation, but he stood almost alone. To him succeeded Addison and Pope, both gifted but both timid men, whose genius, great as it was, never, or rarely, ventured on original and daring flights, and who seemed always to be haunted by the fear of French criticism. Pope, especially, lent all his influence to confirm and seal the power of a foreign code of literary laws; and so general and so deep was the submission, that it is to us one of the strongest proofs of Edward Young’s genius, that he ventured, in that polished but powerless era, to uplift a native voice of song, and not to uplift it in vain; for, if he did not absolutely make a revolution, [vi] or found a school, he yet established himself, and left his poetry as a glorious precedent to all who should afterwards be so hardy as to “go and do likewise.”
Between the time of George Herbert and Edward Young, some significant changes occurred in British poetry as well as in British customs, politics, and religion. The country had endured the storm of the Puritan Revolt, which initially darkened and then temporarily brightened the intellectual and moral landscape. The impact of this on poetry was that it replaced Herbert's fleeting but joyful hymns with the epic unities and grand choral harmonies of Milton. Then came the Restoration—the glorification of falsehood, which encompassed false principles, false politics, and false taste. Britain became the degraded servant of France, both in laws and in literature. Dryden, to some extent, preserved the character and taste of his nation, but he was almost alone in this. He was followed by Addison and Pope, both talented yet timid men, whose genius, significant as it was, seldom ventured into original and bold expressions, always seemingly shadowed by the fear of French criticism. Pope, in particular, used his influence to reinforce and legitimize a foreign set of literary standards; so widespread and profound was this submission that it stands as one of the strongest testaments to Edward Young’s genius that he dared, in that refined but ineffectual time, to raise a native voice of poetry—and he did so successfully; for, while he may not have initiated a revolution or founded a school, he established himself and left his poetry as a magnificent example for anyone brave enough to “go and do likewise.”
Edward Young was born in June 1681 (according to some, two years earlier), in the village of Upham, Hampshire. His father was rector of the parish, and is represented as a man of great learning and abilities. He was the author of some volumes of sermons, and, on account of their merit, and through the patronage of Lord Bradford, he was appointed chaplain to King William, and Dean of Salisbury. He died in 1705, in the sixty-third year of his age, and Bishop Burnet, the Sunday after his decease, pronounced a glowing panegyric on his character, in a funeral sermon delivered in the Cathedral.
Edward Young was born in June 1681 (some say two years earlier) in the village of Upham, Hampshire. His father was the parish rector and was known to be a man of great knowledge and talent. He wrote several volumes of sermons, and due to their quality and the support of Lord Bradford, he was appointed chaplain to King William and Dean of Salisbury. He passed away in 1705 at the age of sixty-three, and the Sunday after his death, Bishop Burnet delivered a heartfelt tribute to his character in a funeral sermon at the Cathedral.
Edward was sent to Winchester School, and thence to Oxford, where he obtained a law fellowship in All-Souls College, and afterwards took successively the degrees of Bachelor and Doctor of Civil Law, besides obtaining a fellowship in 1706. When the Codrington Library was founded, he was appointed to deliver the Latin oration. It was published, but met with a frigid reception, being full of conceits and puerilities, and the author wisely omitted it from his collected works. Little else is known of his career at College. He is said to have blended fits of study with frequent dissipation. When he relaxed, it was in the company of the infamous Duke of Wharton, who patronised, corrupted, and laughed at him. When he studied, he would shut his windows, create around him an artificial night, and make it more hideous by piling up skulls, cross-bones, and instruments of death in his room. His talent was then as well known as his eccentricity. Tindal the sceptic bore a striking testimony to this when he said, “The other boys I can always answer, because I always know where they have their arguments, which I have read a hundred times; but that fellow Young is continually pestering me with something of his own.”
Edward was sent to Winchester School, and from there to Oxford, where he earned a law fellowship at All-Souls College, and later obtained the degrees of Bachelor and Doctor of Civil Law, in addition to gaining a fellowship in 1706. When the Codrington Library was established, he was chosen to deliver the Latin oration. It was published but received a cold response, as it was filled with pretentiousness and childishness, and the author wisely left it out of his collected works. Not much else is known about his time at College. He is said to have mixed intense study with frequent partying. When he relaxed, it was with the notorious Duke of Wharton, who supported him, led him astray, and mocked him. When he studied, he would close his windows, create an artificial night around him, and make the atmosphere even more unsettling by filling his room with skulls, cross-bones, and death-related props. His talent was as famous as his odd behavior. Tindal the skeptic notably commented on this, saying, “I can always respond to the other boys because I know their arguments, which I've read a hundred times; but that guy Young constantly bothers me with his own ideas.”
He seems to have been nearly thirty ere he began to tune that lyre which was afterwards to thrill with vibrations of song so powerful and melodious. His first choice of a subject was characteristic of the lofty and ambitious tone of his genius: it [vii] was, “The Last Day.” This poem was written in 1710, although not given to the world till 1713. He had previously, in 1712, published an epistle to Lord Lansdown, which displayed little of his peculiar power, but was at once feeble and pretentious. Young became afterwards heartily ashamed of it. In the same year that “The Last Day” appeared, he prefixed to Addison’s “Cato” a copy of verses of no great merit. Shortly after, he issued a poem entitled, “The Force of Religion; or, Vanquished Love:” it was founded on the story of Lady Jane Grey and her husband, and was ushered in by a flaming dedication to the Countess of Salisbury. On the death of the Queen, in 1714, he published a panegyric in verse on her memory, and inscribed it to Addison. In these days flattery to princes and nobles was a commodity almost essential to poetry—a tawdry court dress which every poet was obliged to put on for the nonce; and not even Dryden has excelled Young in the violent unlikeness and unsparing incense of his adulations. It is satisfactory to remember that, on cool reflection, he cancelled the most of those unworthy effusions; although he continued to the last very much of a courtier, as the dedications to the “Night Thoughts” sufficiently prove. He is supposed about the year 1717 to have visited Ireland in company with Wharton.
He seems to have been nearly thirty when he started to play the lyre that would later resonate with powerful and beautiful songs. His first choice of subject reflected the high and ambitious nature of his talent: it was “The Last Day.” This poem was written in 1710 but wasn’t published until 1713. Earlier, in 1712, he published a letter to Lord Lansdown, which showed little of his unique ability and came off as weak and pretentious. Young later felt truly embarrassed about it. In the same year that “The Last Day” came out, he added some verses, of no great value, to Addison’s “Cato.” Shortly after, he released a poem called “The Force of Religion; or, Vanquished Love,” based on the story of Lady Jane Grey and her husband, which was introduced with an extravagant dedication to the Countess of Salisbury. After the Queen died in 1714, he published a tribute to her memory in verse and dedicated it to Addison. Back then, flattery toward royalty and nobles was almost a requirement for poets—a tacky court outfit everyone had to wear for the occasion; and not even Dryden surpassed Young in the foolish inconsistency and excessive flattery of his praises. It’s reassuring to know that upon reflection, he retracted most of those unworthy works; although he remained quite a courtier until the end, as the dedications to the “Night Thoughts” clearly show. It is believed that around 1717 he visited Ireland with Wharton.
In 1719 his tragedy of “Busiris” appeared on the stage, and had considerable success. He sold the copyright afterwards to B. Lintot, for £84, which, for a first play by an author previously unknown, was thought a large sum. “Busiris” is a play of that solemnly pompous and intensely artificial school, the race of which has been long since gathered to its fathers. It is conceived and written in Ercles’ vein;[1] and Nat Lee himself, in his wild ranting plays, has scarcely surpassed the torrents of bombastic nonsense which issue from the lips of Myron. Immediately after “Busiris” he published his Paraphrase on part of the Book of Job, a production scarcely worthy either of Young or of the sublime original. The descriptions in that grandest of all poems, which are so rich and massive as to press almost on the sense, are more fairly represented in our common prose translation [viii] than in the poetical paraphrase of Young. We are far, however, from being opposed, with some critics, to the principle of paraphrasing Scripture. We admire to enthusiasm many of the Scottish paraphrases, some of Byron’s and Moore’s Hebrew Melodies, and Croly’s Scenes from Scripture; and should like to see all the poetry of the Bible versified by some competent hand.
In 1719, his tragedy “Busiris” premiered, achieving notable success. He later sold the copyright to B. Lintot for £84, which was considered a significant amount for a debut play by an unknown author. “Busiris” belongs to a style that is solemnly pompous and highly artificial, a kind that has long since faded away. It's written in the style of Ercles’ vein;[1] and even Nat Lee, with his wild and dramatic plays, barely exceeds the barrage of bombastic nonsense that comes from the character Myron. Right after “Busiris,” he published his Paraphrase on part of the Book of Job, a work that hardly does justice to either Young or the original masterpiece. The vivid descriptions in that greatest of all poems, which are so rich and substantial they almost overwhelm the senses, are better captured in our standard prose translation [viii] than in Young's poetic paraphrase. However, we are far from opposing, as some critics do, the idea of paraphrasing Scripture. We enthusiastically admire many Scottish paraphrases, some of Byron’s and Moore’s Hebrew Melodies, and Croly’s Scenes from Scripture; and we would love to see all the poetry of the Bible rendered into verse by a skilled writer.
In 1721 appeared “The Revenge,” by far the most powerful of his tragedies. Its great fault lies in its likeness to Othello: its great praise is, that, though it imitates and challenges comparison with that Shakspearean masterpiece, it has not been utterly sunk and eclipsed before it. As a play, we think it decidedly second-rate; the plot is not artistically managed, and the means by which jealousy is excited in the mind of Alonzo, are a very poor and shabby copy of those in Shakspeare. Zanga has been called a “vulgar caricature of Iago;” he is so in part, perhaps, but Young has abated the vulgarity of the imitation by endowing his hero with a wild and native vein of poetry. Iago is a subtler, colder fiend than Zanga, and indulges more in sneers and in smut than in declamation. Zanga’s speeches exhaust the rhetoric of revenge. Iago has nothing but intellect, wit, and malignity. Zanga has an imagination worthy of the hot and lion-peopled land of his birth. Iago, after his detection, sinks into obstinate silence; he stiffens into the statue of a demon. Zanga dies, using lofty imagery.
In 1721, “The Revenge” was released, and it stands out as the most powerful of his tragedies. Its main drawback is its resemblance to Othello; however, its greatest strength is that, even though it tries to match up to that Shakespearian masterpiece, it hasn’t completely fallen flat or been overshadowed by it. As a play, we believe it’s definitely second-rate; the plot isn’t well-crafted, and the way jealousy is stirred in Alonzo’s mind is a weak and cheap imitation of what Shakespe ate achieved. Zanga has been described as a “vulgar caricature of Iago”; while that might be partially true, Young lessens the crudeness of the imitation by giving his hero a wild and natural sense of poetry. Iago is a subtler, colder villain than Zanga, and he relies more on mockery and innuendo than on grand speeches. Zanga’s dialogues run through the entire spectrum of vengeful rhetoric. Iago offers nothing but cunning, humor, and malice. Zanga possesses an imagination that reflects the fiery and fierce land of his origins. After being discovered, Iago retreats into stubborn silence; he becomes the embodiment of a demon. Zanga dies, using elevated language.
Indeed, “The Revenge” owes all its interest to the flames of poetic genius which burst out at every pore of its otherwise coarse and copied structure. It was dedicated to Wharton, with whom Young continued to be intimate; whom he taught to speak good Latin in the space of six weeks; and who lent him money to reimburse him for the expenses of an unsuccessful attempt to get into Parliament. This was in 1721; the place was Cirencester. The election, however, was contested, and fortunately, perhaps, both for Young and the world, he was unsuccessful. Had he gained the seat, he had very probably,
Indeed, “The Revenge” owes all its appeal to the bursts of poetic genius that come through its otherwise rough and imitative structure. It was dedicated to Wharton, with whom Young remained close; he taught him to speak good Latin in just six weeks; and who lent him money to cover his expenses from an unsuccessful attempt to enter Parliament. This was in 1721; the location was Cirencester. The election, however, was competitive, and fortunately, perhaps for both Young and the world, he was not successful. If he had won the seat, he likely would have,
“Though born for the universe, narrow’d his mind,
“Though born for the universe, narrowed his mind,
And to party given up what was meant for mankind;”
And to the party that gave up what was meant for humanity;”
and what comparison between a series of eloquent, forgotten speeches, and the starry, ever-burning splendours of the “Night Thoughts”?
and what comparison can be made between a series of eloquent, forgotten speeches and the starry, everlasting brilliance of the “Night Thoughts”?
His disappointment in this attempt, coupled, probably, with remorse for the follies and vices of a misspent youth, seems to have soured Young, and ripened him to the point when satire becomes the unavoidable expression of the irritated yet unsubdued spirit. In 1725 appeared the first part of his “Universal Passion;” the rest came out in successive satires between that and 1728, when they were collected and published, along with a somewhat querulous preface, in which he hints that he had not found poetry very favourable to preferment. He gained, however, £3000 by these poems, of which, according to Spence, £2000 was contributed by the Duke of Grafton, who did not, however, regret the price. His inscriptions of the several satires were, as usual at the time, stuffed with fulsome praise of such men as Dorset, Dodington, Campton, and Sir Robert Walpole, all of whom appreciated and rewarded the compliments. We reserve our criticism on these remarkable productions till afterwards, noticing only at present, that they were published before the satires of Pope, and that they became instantly popular.
His disappointment in this effort, likely combined with regret for the mistakes and wrongdoings of his wasted youth, seems to have soured Young and pushed him to the point where satire became the only way to express his irritated yet undaunted spirit. In 1725, the first part of his “Universal Passion” was released; the rest followed in a series of satires until 1728, when they were compiled and published with a somewhat whiny preface, where he suggests that poetry hasn’t been very helpful for advancement. However, he made £3000 from these poems, of which, according to Spence, £2000 was from the Duke of Grafton, who didn’t regret spending that much. His dedications for the various satires were, as was customary at the time, filled with exaggerated praise for figures like Dorset, Dodington, Campton, and Sir Robert Walpole, all of whom appreciated and rewarded the flattery. We’ll hold off on critiquing these noteworthy works until later, just noting for now that they were published before Pope's satires and became instantly popular.
As if to propitiate the Nemesis, who always stands behind the chariot of the popular writer, Young next issued two of the poorest of all his unequal productions. The first of these, entitled “The Instalment,” was addressed to Sir Robert Walpole, and is, perhaps, although the word be a wide one, the most nonsensical and trashy lie in verse ever addressed to a prime minister. The second is an “Ode to Ocean,” a compound of doggrel and stilted dulness—which, indeed, any sailor of education might have composed, if “half-seas-over.”
As if to appease the Nemesis, who always follows the popular writer, Young next released two of his weakest works. The first, called “The Instalment,” was directed at Sir Robert Walpole and is, perhaps, even though that word is broad, the most ridiculous and worthless lie in verse ever sent to a prime minister. The second is an “Ode to Ocean,” a mix of nonsense and pretentious dullness—something any educated sailor could have written if he were “half-seas-over.”
At length, sick of dissipation, of the stage, of bad odes, and good satires, Young determined to become wise, and enter into orders. An irresistible current had long been carrying him on, with many a convulsive recalcitration on his part, to this determination. That great intellect and heart, [x] over which, already, the shadow of the “Night Thoughts” was beginning to gather, could not be satisfied with the society of “peers, poets,” and demireps; with the applause of sweltering crowds collected in theatres; or with the ebullitions of its own giant spleen, in the shape of epigrammatic satires. The world, which once seemed to his eye so fresh and fair, had withered gradually to a skeleton, with sockets for eyes, with eternal baldness for hair, with a “stench instead of a sweet savour, and burning instead of beauty.” He resolved to proclaim the particulars of this painful yet blessed disenchantment to the ends of the earth, and to all classes of mankind. And for this purpose, he first of all mounted the pulpit, and then began to wield what was even then the mightier engine of the press. He was no novice when he entered the ministry. Would that we had more who, like Young, do not go up by a mechanical ladder, and the mere force of custom, to the pulpit, but who come down upon it from long and vain wanderings elsewhere, and with a conviction, as the result of mature experience, that God there still desires to dwell, and that it constitutes even yet a pinnacle of prospect, and power, and promise! Thus came Herbert, and Chalmers, and Foster, to their real work as ministers of the gospel. It is not a boy, but a Boanerges-ministry that introduces the Word with most effect to a gainsaying world. Young was full forty-seven—mature in years, in acquirements, in experience, and in reputation—when he began to publish the “News that it is well.” Like the eminent men we have just mentioned, and like others whom we might mention, his motives in entering the Church have been calumniated. He has been compared to a lady disappointed in love, taking the veil; and, rather inconsistently with this figure, to a sated sensualist becoming an anchorite. How can both be true? If Young was disappointed, how could he be sated? and if sated, how could he be chagrined by the want of satisfaction? The fact is, that such men as Young, Chalmers, Herbert, and Foster, are altogether superior to common standards of judgment, and must be tried by their peers. All had their own share of the disgusts and dissatisfactions [xi] connected with life, and all felt them keenly. But all had a deeper reason still—a reason, we grant, probably stirred by circumstances into action, for renouncing the empty arena of this world’s honours and wealth, and devoting themselves to a higher and nobler purpose. They all saw into the hollowness of society, into the misery of the human heart; and felt that the gospel alone could fill that aching void, and satisfy those dreary cravings. Hence, Herbert quitted the pleasures of a court; Chalmers dropped his air-pump and his telescope; Foster resigned his philosophic speculations; and Young shook off the blandishments of peers, and forgot the claps of multitudes, to proclaim the glad tidings to perishing sinners; and verily all, in different measures, had their reward.
Eventually, tired of partying, the stage, bad poems, and decent satirical pieces, Young decided it was time to get serious and join the clergy. For a long time, an unstoppable force had been pushing him toward this decision, despite his many struggles against it. That brilliant mind and heart, which already felt the shadow of the “Night Thoughts” looming over it, couldn’t find fulfillment in the company of “peers, poets,” and shallow people; in the cheers of sweating crowds at theaters; or in the outbursts of its own deep frustration manifested in sharp-witted satires. The world, which once appeared so vibrant and beautiful to him, slowly faded into a mere skeleton, with empty eye sockets, a bald head, and a “stench instead of a sweet fragrance, and burning instead of beauty.” He resolved to share the details of this painful yet transformative awakening with everyone around the globe, regardless of their background. To do this, he first took to the pulpit and then began to utilize the even more powerful tool of the press. He wasn’t inexperienced when he entered the ministry. I wish there were more people like Young, who don’t ascend to the pulpit by simply following a mechanical path or tradition, but rather descend onto it after long and fruitless journeys elsewhere, with the conviction gained from rich experiences that God still wants to be present there, and that it remains a pinnacle of opportunity, influence, and hope! That’s how Herbert, Chalmers, and Foster came to their true calling as ministers of the gospel. It’s not a young man, but a seasoned and passionate ministry that effectively introduces the Word to a skeptical world. Young was a mature forty-seven—well-aged in years, knowledge, experience, and reputation—when he started publishing the “News that it is well.” Like the notable figures we’ve mentioned, and others we could name, his reasons for joining the Church have faced criticism. He has been likened to a woman heartbroken over love, taking vows of silence; and also, somewhat inconsistently, to a bored hedonist choosing a life of solitude. How can both of these comparisons be accurate? If Young was let down, how could he feel satisfied? And if he was satisfied, how could he be upset by lack of fulfillment? The truth is, individuals like Young, Chalmers, Herbert, and Foster rise above typical standards of judgment and should be evaluated by their peers. They all experienced their own share of life's frustrations and disappointments, feeling them deeply. However, they had an even more profound reason—likely triggered into action by their circumstances—for rejecting the empty pursuit of worldly honors and wealth, dedicating themselves instead to a higher and more noble goal. They all recognized the emptiness in society, the pain in the human heart; and understood that only the gospel could fill that aching emptiness and satisfy those dark longings. Thus, Herbert left the pleasures of court life; Chalmers put aside his air-pump and telescope; Foster stepped back from his philosophical musings; and Young shook off the allure of his peers and ignored the applause of crowds to share the good news with lost souls; and indeed, each of them, in their own way, found their reward.
In April 1728 he was appointed chaplain to George II. His tragedy, “The Brothers,” which had been in rehearsal, was prudently withdrawn. It is a play superior to “Busiris,” but very much inferior to “The Revenge.” Full of passion and poetry, of startling scenes, and vivid images, its subject is unpleasing, and the various perplexities of the plot are not skilfully disentangled.
In April 1728, he was named chaplain to George II. His play, “The Brothers,” which was in rehearsal, was wisely pulled back. It's a better play than “Busiris,” but still much worse than “The Revenge.” Full of emotion and poetic elements, with shocking scenes and vivid imagery, its theme is off-putting, and the complicated plot twists aren't handled well.
In the same year he published “A True Estimate of Human Life,” written with force and ingenuity; and a long and very loyal sermon, preached before the House of Commons, on the Martyrdom of Charles I. It was entitled, “An Apology for Princes; or, the Reverence due to Governments.”
In the same year, he published “A True Estimate of Human Life,” which was written with strength and creativity; and a lengthy and very loyal sermon, delivered before the House of Commons, on the Martyrdom of Charles I. It was titled, “An Apology for Princes; or, the Respect Owed to Governments.”
Hitherto Young had lived on the proceeds of his fellowship, and on presents from Wharton, who, at his death, too, left him a pension. He became now, however, very naturally anxious for promotion in that new sphere on which he had entered, and was compelled, proh pudor! to lay his case before Mrs Howard, the favourite mistress of George II.—that identical “good Howard,” who figures so curiously in the famous scene between Jeanie Deans and Queen Caroline. The fact of the application, as well as the terms of the letter he wrote her, renders this the most humiliating incident in all Young’s history. In 1730, he published “Imperium Pelagi,” another naval lyric, as bad and much longer than his “Ode to Ocean.” [xii] In the same year he wrote an epistle to Pope, which resembles a coarser and more careless production of the little man of Twickenham.
So far, Young had lived off the income from his fellowship and gifts from Wharton, who also left him a pension when he died. However, he now became understandably anxious for advancement in this new environment he had entered and felt he had to, proh pudor! present his situation to Mrs. Howard, the favorite mistress of George II.—the same “good Howard” who appears so famously in the well-known scene between Jeanie Deans and Queen Caroline. The fact that he had to make this request, along with the contents of the letter he wrote her, makes this the most embarrassing moment in all of Young’s history. In 1730, he published “Imperium Pelagi,” another naval lyric that is just as bad and much longer than his “Ode to Ocean.” [xii] That same year, he wrote a letter to Pope that resembles a rougher and more careless version of the little man from Twickenham.
In July 1730, Young was presented by his college to the rectory of Welwyn in Hertfordshire. We refer our readers, for various delightful speculations and anecdotes about his residence and labours there, to Bulwer’s Student. He was a powerful preacher. His sermons seem to have been striking in thought, rich in image, intensely practical in tendency, and were delivered with great animation and effect. It is told, that on one occasion, while preaching at St James’s before the Court and His Majesty, on some subject of transcendent importance, and not being able to command the attention or awaken the feelings of his audience, he at length threw himself back into the pulpit, and burst into tears. That was itself a sermon! The figure of this weeping Titan, who could have rent rocks and severed mountains, but who had failed in breaking the hearts of any of his courtly hearers, is one of the most affecting in the annals of pulpit oratory. Alas! what preacher who has ever aimed at Young’s object, has not been at times tempted to assume Young’s attitude, and to shed Young’s bitter and burning tears? “Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?”
In July 1730, Young was appointed by his college to the rectory of Welwyn in Hertfordshire. For various enjoyable stories and anecdotes about his time and work there, we recommend Bulwer’s Student. He was a powerful preacher. His sermons were impactful in thought, rich in imagery, highly practical in nature, and were delivered with great energy and effect. It is said that on one occasion, while preaching at St James’s before the Court and His Majesty on a matter of great importance, he struggled to grab the attention or stir the emotions of his audience, and eventually, he leaned back into the pulpit and broke down in tears. That alone was a powerful sermon! The image of this weeping giant, who could have shattered rocks and split mountains but struggled to touch the hearts of his noble listeners, is one of the most poignant in the history of preaching. Sadly, what preacher who has ever sought to achieve Young’s goals has not at times been tempted to take on Young’s posture and shed Young’s painful and burning tears? “Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?”
In 1731, Young, at the mature age of fifty, married the Lady Elizabeth Lee, daughter of the Earl of Lichfield, and widow of Colonel Lee. This marriage sprung out of his father’s acquaintance with Lady Ann Wharton, who was co-heiress of Sir Henry Lee of Ditchley in Oxfordshire, and seems to have been very happy. He next published another of those stupid odes by which he seemed predestined to disgrace his genius, entitled “A Sea Piece.” It was as though Milton had tried to write Anacreontics. A few years afterwards appeared “The Foreign Address, or the Best Argument for Peace,” occasioned by the posture of affairs in which the British fleet was then placed, and written in the character of a sailor. It is a mere tissue of sounding verbiage—or, as Hamlet hath it, “Words, words, words.” About this time [xiii] Young met with Voltaire, who, according to the story, was ridiculing Milton’s allegory of “Death and Sin,” when our hero struck in with the extempore epigram:—
In 1731, Young, at the age of fifty, married Lady Elizabeth Lee, the daughter of the Earl of Lichfield and widow of Colonel Lee. This marriage came about due to his father's connection with Lady Ann Wharton, who was a co-heiress of Sir Henry Lee of Ditchley in Oxfordshire, and it seems to have been very happy. He then published another one of those silly odes that seemed destined to embarrass his talent, titled “A Sea Piece.” It was as if Milton had attempted to write Anacreontics. A few years later, “The Foreign Address, or the Best Argument for Peace” was published, prompted by the situation of the British fleet at that time, and it was written from the perspective of a sailor. It’s just a bunch of impressive-sounding words—or, as Hamlet puts it, “Words, words, words.” Around this time, [xiii] Young met Voltaire, who, according to the story, was mocking Milton’s allegory of “Death and Sin,” when our hero responded with an improvised epigram:—
“Thou art so witty, profligate, and thin,
“You're so clever, reckless, and thin,
That thou thyself art Milton, Death, and Sin.”
That you yourself are Milton, Death, and Sin.
We cannot see very much wit in this epigram, even in that best shape which we have now given it; but it was not inappropriate to the lean denier, who sought to empty everything of the important element—its God; to leave the universe, like himself, a grinning skeleton, and to smile in ghastly sympathy over the completed ruin. We fancy we see the two gifted men, the one the representative of the scepticism of France, the other, of the belief of England, meeting and conversing together. Voltaire is not much in advance of thirty; Young is fifty, and more. Voltaire’s face is worn with premature thought and inordinate laughter; Young’s, though older, bears a warmer and more sanguine flush. Voltaire has the insincerest of smiles playing constantly over his face like the light of an aurora borealis; Young’s countenance is grave, settled, open, and serene, as the radiance of an autumn sunset. In Voltaire’s eye you see the future “Candide” laughing down in its depths, while on Young’s brow lies the dim and magnificent promise of the “Night Thoughts.” After meeting, talking, bowing, wondering, and recoiling, they part for ever; Voltaire sighing through smiles as he thinks of the “misled giant of Religion;” and Young smiling through sighs as he thinks of the “wondrous and well-nigh human ape of Infidelity.”
We can’t find much humor in this saying, even in the best form we've given it; but it suited the gaunt skeptic who wanted to strip everything of its essential part—its God; to leave the universe, like him, a grinning skeleton, and to smile grimly over the complete destruction. We imagine the two talented men, one representing French skepticism and the other, English belief, meeting and chatting. Voltaire isn’t much past thirty; Young is around fifty or more. Voltaire’s face shows signs of early stress and excessive laughter; Young’s, while older, has a warm and hopeful glow. Voltaire has the most insincere smile constantly flickering across his face like the light of the northern lights; Young’s expression is serious, composed, open, and peaceful, like the glow of an autumn sunset. In Voltaire’s eye, you can see the future "Candide" laughing back at you, while on Young’s brow rests the dim yet magnificent promise of the "Night Thoughts." After talking, bowing, pondering, and recoiling, they part ways forever; Voltaire sighing through smiles as he thinks of the "misguided giant of Religion," and Young smiling through sighs as he considers the "wondrous and nearly human ape of Infidelity."
By his wife Young had one son, Frederick. He does not seem to have been a particularly well-behaved youth; indeed, his father for some time before his death refused to see him, although he ultimately sent him his forgiveness, and made him his heir. But no son of illustrious father has ever had harder measure dealt him. It has been generally supposed that he was the Lorenzo of the “Night Thoughts,” a poem published when Frederick was only eight years of age, and when he could scarcely have even thought of committing those crimes of scepticism and reckless self-gratification with which Young charges his imaginary or half-real hero.
By his wife, Young had one son, Frederick. He doesn't seem to have been a particularly well-behaved young man; in fact, his father refused to see him for some time before his death, although he eventually sent him his forgiveness and made him his heir. However, no son of a notable father has ever faced harsher treatment. It's generally believed that he was the Lorenzo from the “Night Thoughts," a poem published when Frederick was only eight years old, and when he could hardly have even considered committing the acts of skepticism and reckless self-indulgence that Young accuses his fictional or partially real hero of.
The Poet’s life, during the first ten years of his rectorship at Welwyn, flowed on in an even tenor. He was regular in his conduct, happy in his family, diligent in his pastoral duties, and easy in his fortune. His preaching was popular and useful. His studies were principally connected with his own profession, and yielded him a growing satisfaction. An anonymous writer in the Gentleman’s Magazine for 1782, who seems to have been intimate with him, thus describes him:—“The dignity of a great and good mind appeared in all his actions, and in all his words. He conversed on religious subjects with the cheerfulness of virtue; his piety was undebased by gloom or enthusiasm; he was regular in the performance of all its duties, both in public and in private. In his domestic character he was amiable as he was venerable in the Christian. His politeness was such as I never saw equalled: it was invariable to his superiors in rank; to his equals and to his inferiors it differed only in degrees of elegance. I never heard him speak with roughness to the meanest servant. In conversation upon lively subjects he had a brilliancy of wit which was peculiar to himself; I know not how to describe it but by saying that it was both heightened and softened by the amiable qualities of his soul. I have seen him ill and in pain, yet the serenity of his mind remained unruffled. I never heard a peevish expression fall from his lips.” Few of his brilliancies are preserved, since, unfortunately, he had no Boswell attached to his heels. But one or two of the sayings that have floated down to us are singularly characteristic. On one very stormy night Young went out to his garden, and remained some time. When he returned, one expressed wonder why he had stayed so long in such an evening. “Oh,” he replied, “it is a very fine night; the Lord is abroad.” He was very fond of a garden, and inscribed on the wall of his summer-house the words, Ambulantes in horto audiebant vocem Dei (Walking in the garden, they heard the voice of God). He had also erected a dial with the inscription, Eheu fugaces! which, he said with a smile to Mr Langton, “was sadly verified, for by the next morning my dial had been carried off.” Though sometimes melancholy, he was disposed to encourage [xv] mirth in others, and established an assembly and bowling-green in his parish.
The Poet’s life during the first ten years of his time in charge at Welwyn was consistent and steady. He was disciplined in his behavior, content in his family life, dedicated to his pastoral responsibilities, and comfortable with his finances. His preaching was well-received and impactful. His studies mainly focused on his profession, leading to increasing fulfillment. An anonymous contributor to the Gentleman’s Magazine for 1782, who seemed to know him well, described him this way: “The dignity of a great and good mind was evident in everything he did and said. He discussed religious topics with the cheerful spirit of virtue; his piety was not marred by gloom or excessive enthusiasm; he consistently upheld all his duties, both in public and private. In his home life, he was as charming as he was respected in religious community. His politeness was unmatched: it was consistent towards those of higher status; with peers and subordinates, it only varied in levels of grace. I never heard him speak harshly to even the lowest servant. In conversations about lively topics, he had a unique sparkling wit; I can only describe it as being both enhanced and softened by the kind qualities of his character. I have seen him unwell and in pain, yet his mind stayed calm. I never heard a grouchy word come from him.” Few of his witty remarks have been recorded, as he unfortunately lacked a Boswell to document his life. However, a couple of his sayings that have endured are particularly telling. One very stormy night, Young went out to his garden and stayed for a while. When he returned, someone expressed surprise at how long he had been out on such a night. “Oh,” he replied, “it’s a really nice night; the Lord is abroad.” He had a great love for gardens and had inscribed on the wall of his summer-house the words, Ambulantes in horto audiebant vocem Dei (Walking in the garden, they heard the voice of God). He also built a sundial with the inscription, Eheu fugaces!, which he said with a smile to Mr. Langton, “was sadly proven true, because by the next morning my sundial had been taken away.” Though he could be melancholic at times, he encouraged joy in others and established a gathering place and bowling green in his parish.
And had this been all—had Young continued to pursue such an even, equable course—he had been by this time well-nigh forgotten; for we do not think that either his satires or plays would of themselves have preserved his name. But it was decreed that grief should co-operate with disappointment in unfolding the full riches of his mind. Antæus was strongest when he touched the ground. Job was never so eloquent till he was prostrated on his dunghill. And, in order to be able to write the “Night Thoughts,” Young must be plunged in the deepest gloom of affliction—“Thrice flew the shaft, and thrice his peace was slain.” In 1736, a daughter of his wife, by a former husband, died. This was Mrs Temple—the Narcissa of his great poem. Her disease was a lingering one. Young accompanied her to Lyons, where she died, and where her remains were brutally denied sepulture, as the dust of a Protestant. Her husband, Mr Temple, or Philander, died four years later; and in 1741, Young’s wife, or Lucia, also expired. He now felt himself alone, and blasted in his solitude. But his grief did not sink into sullen inactivity. He made it oracular, and distilled his tears into song. The “Night Thoughts” were immediately commenced, and published between 1742 and 1744. This marvellous poem was all composed either at night, or when riding on horseback—an exercise, by the way, which gives a sense of mastery and confidence, stirs the blood, elevates the animal spirits, and has been felt by many to be eminently favourable to thought and mental composition. It inspired, we know, such men as Burns, Byron, Shelley, and Delta. We love to think of Young riding through the green lanes of his parish, and cooing out to himself his plaintive minstrelsies. We love better still to watch his lonely lamp shining at midnight, like a star, through the darkness, and seeming to answer the far signal of those mightier luminaries which are burning above in the Great Bear and Orion—the poet the while now dipping his pen to indite his ardent immortalities—now leaning his head on his widowed arm, and surrendering himself to paroxysms of uncontrollable [xvi] anguish—and now looking out upon the Night as the “Lord is abroad” on the wings of the tempest, or as He is silently shining out his name in suns and galaxies—those unwearied “Watchers” and unbaptized “Holy Ones.”
And if this had been the case—if Young had kept on with such a steady, even path—he would have been pretty much forgotten by now; because we don't think that either his satires or plays would have been enough to keep his name alive. But it was destined that sorrow would join forces with disappointment to reveal the full depth of his mind. Antaeus was strongest when he touched the ground. Job was never as eloquent until he was brought low in his misery. To write the “Night Thoughts,” Young had to be deeply immersed in the darkest gloom of grief—“Thrice flew the arrow, and thrice his peace was shattered.” In 1736, his wife’s daughter from a previous marriage passed away. This was Mrs. Temple—the Narcissa of his great poem. Her illness was a long one. Young took her to Lyons, where she died, and there her remains were cruelly denied burial, treated like the dust of a Protestant. Her husband, Mr. Temple, or Philander, died four years later; and in 1741, Young’s wife, or Lucia, also passed away. He now felt completely alone, shattered in his solitude. But his grief didn't lead him to inactivity. He turned it into something profound and poured his tears into poetry. He immediately began the “Night Thoughts,” which were published between 1742 and 1744. This remarkable poem was all created either at night or while riding on horseback—an activity, by the way, that brings a sense of mastery and confidence, invigorates the blood, elevates the spirits, and many have found to be very beneficial for thinking and mental creativity. It inspired, we know, such figures as Burns, Byron, Shelley, and Delta. We love to imagine Young riding through the green lanes of his parish, softly singing his sad songs to himself. We love even more to picture his solitary lamp shining at midnight, like a star, cutting through the darkness, seeming to respond to the distant signals of the greater lights burning above in the Great Bear and Orion—while the poet dips his pen to write his passionate immortal works—now resting his head on his widow’s arm, surrendering to waves of uncontrollable sorrow—and now gazing out into the Night as the “Lord is abroad” on the wings of the storm, or as He silently writes His name in the suns and galaxies—those tireless “Watchers” and unbaptized “Holy Ones.”
In 1745, Young wrote “Reflections on the Public Situation of the Kingdom”—a production which made no impression at the time, and is now entirely forgotten. He did not include it in the collection of his works. In 1753, the tragedy of “The Brothers,” which had lain past for thirty years, was produced on the stage. Young gave the profits of the play, and several hundreds from his own pocket, amounting to a thousand pounds in all, to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel—an act which surely balances the stories usually told of his love of money and thirst for preferment.
In 1745, Young wrote “Reflections on the Public Situation of the Kingdom”—a work that didn’t make any impact at the time and is now completely forgotten. He didn’t include it in his collected works. In 1753, the tragedy “The Brothers,” which had been set aside for thirty years, was finally staged. Young donated the profits from the play, plus several hundred pounds from his own funds, totaling a thousand pounds, to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel—an act that definitely balances out the usual stories about his greed and desire for status.
His next work was, “The Centaur not Fabulous, in Six Letters to a Friend.” Its subjects were, the infidelity and licentiousness of that age. It is a pity that this book has fallen into oblivion, as it is a very rich and powerful piece of writing. It is full of clear, sharp, sententious truth. Its style palpitates with energy, and glitters with poetic image. We wish we saw it reprinted in a cheap form; for, although infidelity and pleasure have both materially changed their phases, there is much in Young’s little work that has an imperishable application, and that would be even yet eminently useful. The character of Altamont is supposed to represent Lord Euston—a nobleman notorious for his vices. The age in which Young’s lot was cast was characterised by a low, sneering scepticism, and his earnest and awful letters were treated with ridicule. Many pronounced him mad, others whispered about dotage. Now, the book seems replete with wisdom, and burning almost with prophetic fire.
His next work was “The Centaur not Fabulous, in Six Letters to a Friend.” It addressed the infidelity and promiscuity of that era. It's unfortunate that this book has been forgotten, as it is a powerful and rich piece of writing. It's filled with clear, sharp truths. Its style pulsates with energy and sparkles with poetic imagery. We wish it could be reprinted in an affordable edition; even though infidelity and pleasure have changed significantly, there's much in Young’s short work that remains relevant and would still be incredibly useful. The character of Altamont is believed to represent Lord Euston—a nobleman infamous for his vices. The period in which Young lived was marked by a low, mocking skepticism, and his sincere and serious letters were met with ridicule. Many thought he was mad, while others whispered about senility. Now, the book seems full of wisdom and almost burns with prophetic insight.
Young, in fact, was not generally appreciated during his lifetime. Tried by the Boileau and Pope standard, his writings were pronounced turgid, strained, and extravagant. Even Warburton, who should have known better, passed a severe judgment on the “Night Thoughts.” He had, however, his warm admirers, prominent among whom was the amiable and learned Joseph Warton. He dedicated to Young his “Essay [xvii] on Pope”—an essay containing the first sober and discriminating estimate of that most artificial of true poets, and with the opinions expressed in which Young is supposed to have coincided; for, although he admired, and too often imitated, Pope’s brilliant point and antithesis, he was aware of far higher models, and found Homer, Milton, and Job far more congenial companions in his studious midnights. In 1758, he published a short and in nowise remarkable sermon, preached before the King at Kensington.
Young wasn't really appreciated during his lifetime. According to the standards set by Boileau and Pope, his writings were seen as pompous, forced, and excessive. Even Warburton, who should have known better, gave a harsh review of the “Night Thoughts.” However, he did have some devoted fans, with the friendly and knowledgeable Joseph Warton being a notable supporter. Warton dedicated his “Essay on Pope” to Young—an essay that offered the first serious and thoughtful assessment of that highly artificial true poet, and with which Young is believed to have agreed; because, although he admired and too often copied Pope's clever points and contrasts, he recognized far greater influences and found Homer, Milton, and Job to be much more fitting companions during his late-night studies. In 1758, he published a brief and unremarkable sermon, delivered before the King at Kensington.
Richardson, the novelist, was one of Young’s greatest friends. Their views on moral and religious subjects were identical; and in gravity of tone, and severity of genius, they resembled each other—Richardson being a duller Young, and Young a more elastic and brilliant Richardson. Although both lived in a most depraved age, neither catered to its tastes. To Richardson, Young addressed, in 1759, a letter on Original Composition, which betrays no symptoms of senility, but is full of vigorous and striking remark. In 1762, when upwards of eighty, he wrote his last and worst poem. It is entitled “Resignation,” and requires, on the part of the reader, considerable exercise of that grace. It has very little of Young’s peculiar power, and is chiefly filled with weak and toothless abuse of his old acquaintance Voltaire. It was written, it appears, at the instance of Mrs Boscawen—the widow of the Admiral—who, having found consolation from the “Night Thoughts,” visited Young, and was still more captivated by his conversation.
Richardson, the novelist, was one of Young’s closest friends. They shared identical views on moral and religious topics, and in their serious tone and intellectual intensity, they were quite similar—Richardson being a more subdued version of Young, and Young a livelier and more brilliant version of Richardson. Even though they lived in a very corrupt time, neither of them catered to its tastes. In 1759, Richardson received a letter on Original Composition from Young, which showed no signs of aging, but instead was packed with vibrant and striking insights. In 1762, when he was over eighty, he wrote his last and least impressive poem. It’s called “Resignation,” and it demands quite a bit of patience from the reader. It lacks much of Young’s unique talent and is mainly filled with weak and pointless criticism of his old acquaintance Voltaire. It seems it was written at the suggestion of Mrs. Boscawen—the widow of the Admiral—who, having found comfort in the “Night Thoughts,” visited Young and was even more enchanted by his conversation.
During the latter years of his life, he is said to have fallen too much under the dominion of his housekeeper, Mrs Hallowes, the widow of a clergyman, who is reported to have ruled him with a rod of iron. Ere his death he revised his printed works, and gave charges in his will that all his MSS. should be burned. He applied, when past eighty, to Archbishop Secker for promotion, and was appointed Clerk of the Closet to the Princess-Dowager of Wales. In April 1765, at the age of eighty-four, he breathed his last. He had been previously unable to perform duty for three or four years, but retained his faculties to the last. He left his property principally [xviii] to his son, who was found by Johnson and Boswell, in 1781, residing at Welwyn, and cherishing the memory of his father.
In the later years of his life, he reportedly became overly dependent on his housekeeper, Mrs. Hallowes, the widow of a clergyman, who is said to have controlled him strictly. Before his death, he revised his published works and insisted in his will that all his manuscripts be burned. When he was past eighty, he appealed to Archbishop Secker for a promotion and was appointed Clerk of the Closet to the Princess-Dowager of Wales. In April 1765, at the age of eighty-four, he passed away. He had been unable to perform his duties for three or four years prior but kept his mental faculties until the end. He left most of his property to his son, who was discovered by Johnson and Boswell in 1781 living in Welwyn and holding on to the memory of his father.
Young was unquestionably a neglected man. Out of all sight the greatest genius then connected with the ministry of the Church of England, he never mounted one step higher than the rectorship his own college had conferred on him. Many reasons have been assigned for this. Some say that it was because he had attached himself to the side of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and had preached an obnoxious sermon at St James’s; others, that it was because he had received a pension through Sir Robert Walpole. We think that the real cause lay in the vulgar and senseless prejudice which prevailed then, and in some measure prevails still, against a literary divine, as if he were a hybrid, or “centaur, not fabulous.” Let us not blame that age so long as we remember the burning shame reflected on ours by the fact that the gifted and high-charactered author of Salathiel, and Paris in 1815, is still only the rector of St Stephen’s, Walbrook, while many younger men, who in comparison with him are of little mark, have reached the episcopal bench. Probably Young felt himself consoled for his bad success, by the knowledge that his name and great poem had travelled to foreign lands, and that Madame Klopstock was wondering—good, simple soul!—that her husband’s idol and her own, had not been made Archbishop of Canterbury.
Young was definitely a neglected man. Out of all the great minds associated with the Church of England at that time, he never rose above the rectorship his own college had given him. Many reasons have been suggested for this. Some say it was because he aligned himself with Frederick, Prince of Wales, and preached an unpopular sermon at St James’s; others say it was because he received a pension from Sir Robert Walpole. We believe the real reason lies in the common and foolish prejudice that existed then, and still exists somewhat today, against a literary clergyman, as if he were some sort of hybrid, or “centaur, not fabulous.” Let’s not blame that era too harshly, as we reflect on the shame our own time faces, knowing that the talented and highly regarded author of Salathiel and Paris in 1815 is still only the rector of St Stephen’s, Walbrook, while many younger individuals, who are far less notable in comparison, have become bishops. Young probably found some comfort in knowing that his name and great poem had reached foreign lands, and that Madame Klopstock—bless her heart!—was wondering why her husband’s idol and her own hadn’t been made Archbishop of Canterbury.
Very little beyond what we have mentioned has been left on record about his private habits and manners. It was his custom, when well pleased with a passage in the course of his reading, to double down the leaf—when particularly gratified, to mark it by two folds; and some favourite works, such as The Rambler, had so many of these marks of approbation that they would not shut. On one occasion, in replying to Tonson and Lintot, who were both candidates for printing one of his works, he misdirected the letters; and when Lintot opened his, he found it begun—“Bernard Lintot is so great a scoundrel,” &c. Young was proverbial for absence of mind, and sometimes forgot whether he had dined or not. Yet in [xix] Welwyn his mode of life was rather systematic. He rose early, made his domestics join him in morning prayer, read little, ate and drank moderately, walked much in his churchyard, and, in general, retired to rest punctually at eight evening. His son told Dr Johnson that he was cheerful in company, but gloomy when alone, and that he never fully recovered his spirits after his wife’s death. Mr Jones, his curate, has confirmed this statement, although the gossipping and heartless tone of his letters about such a man cannot be too strongly condemned. Young was subject to fits of inspiration, which stupid people confounded with madness. At times his poetry rushed upon him like a whirlwind, and caught him up
Very little beyond what we’ve mentioned has been recorded about his private habits and manners. It was his habit, when pleased with a part of his reading, to fold down the page—when particularly happy, to mark it with two folds; some of his favorite works, like The Rambler, had so many of these marks of approval that they wouldn’t close. One time, when replying to Tonson and Lintot, both of whom wanted to print one of his works, he sent the letters to the wrong addresses; when Lintot opened his, he found it starting with, “Bernard Lintot is such a scoundrel,” etc. Young was known for being absent-minded and sometimes forgot whether he had eaten or not. Still, in [xix] Welwyn, his lifestyle was somewhat systematic. He woke up early, had his household join him for morning prayer, read little, ate and drank moderately, walked a lot in his churchyard, and generally went to bed punctually at eight in the evening. His son told Dr. Johnson that he was cheerful with others but gloomy when alone, and that he never fully recovered his spirits after his wife’s death. Mr. Jones, his curate, has confirmed this claim, although the gossiping and heartless tone of his letters about such a man can’t be condemned enough. Young experienced fits of inspiration, which silly people confused with madness. At times, his poetry came to him like a whirlwind and swept him away.
“Like swift Ezekiel, by his lock of hair”—
“Like quick Ezekiel, by his lock of hair”—
and when he came down he seemed weak, panting, and powerless. Mrs Boscawen and others describe his conversation as still more remarkable than his writings, although occasionally disfigured by conceits and bad puns.
and when he came down he seemed weak, out of breath, and powerless. Mrs. Boscawen and others describe his conversation as even more remarkable than his writings, although it was occasionally marred by pretentious expressions and bad puns.
We come now to speak of his genius, especially as manifested in the “Night Thoughts.” The subject of this wonderful strain was one which, in its novelty, dignity, and depth, challenged the very highest exercise of the very highest faculties; and had Young risen to the full height of his great argument, he had become the greatest of all poets. This we by no means affirm he did; but we do assert, that many of the aspects of his magnificent theme have been fully and eloquently expressed by him, and that some of his passages are unsurpassed in the language of men.
We now turn to discuss his genius, especially as it appears in the “Night Thoughts.” The topic of this remarkable work was one that, due to its uniqueness, seriousness, and depth, demanded the utmost skills; and had Young reached the full potential of his great argument, he would have become the greatest of all poets. We don’t claim he achieved that, but we do assert that many aspects of his impressive theme have been fully and eloquently articulated by him, and that some of his passages are unmatched in human language.
The poem demands a brief critical consideration as to its season, its argument, its imagery, its style, its versification, its comparative place and merit, and, lastly, the genius of its author. First, of its season—the Night—and the use to which he turns it. Night had never before found a worthy laureate. Its profound silence, as if it were listening to catch the accents of some supernal voice—the shadowy grandeur and mysterious newness it gives to objects on the earth—the divine hues into which its moon discolours all things—the deep sleep [xx] which then falleth upon men, and changes the world into one hushed grave—the supernatural shapes and mystic sounds which have been supposed to walk in its darkness, or to echo through its depths—the voices scarce less solemn, which often break its silence, of howling winds, and wailing rivers, and shrieking tempests, and groaning thunders, and the wild cries of human misery and despair—and last and highest, its withdrawal of the bright mist and mantle of day from the starry universe, and the pomp with which it unrols and exhibits its “great map” of suns and systems—its silvery satellites—its meek planets, each shining in its own degree of reflected splendour—its oceans of original and ever-burning fire called suns—its comets, those serpents of the sky, trailing their vast volumes of deadly glory through the shuddering system—its fantastic and magnificent shapes and collocations of stars, the constellations—its firmaments rising above firmaments, like rounds in a ladder, at the top of which is the throne of God—and those two awful arms into which its Milky Way diverges, and which seem uplifted to heaven in silent prayer, or in some deep and dread protest,—all these elements of interest and grandeur had existed from the beginning of the world in Night, and yet had never, till Young arose, awakened any consecutive and lofty strain of poetic adoration. Many beautiful and many sublime sentiments had been uttered by poets about particular features of Night, but there had been no attempt to represent it as a whole. There were many single thoughts, but no large and sounding Hymn. The views of the Pagan poets about astronomy were, of course, warped by the absurd systems of their day; and this served to damp their fire, and to render their poetic tributes rather fantastic than truly powerful. Even Dante and Milton are somewhat embarrassed by the Ptolemaic system, although it proves the strength of their genius that they have extracted so much poetry from it. But before Young arose,
The poem calls for a quick critical look at its season, its theme, its imagery, its style, its form, its relative standing and value, and finally, the brilliance of its author. First, regarding its season—the Night—and how the author portrays it. Night had never before had a fitting champion. Its deep silence, as if it were listening for some celestial voice—the shadowy beauty and mysterious freshness it brings to earthly objects—the divine colors that the moon casts over everything—the deep slumber that falls upon people, transforming the world into a quiet tomb—the supernatural forms and eerie sounds assumed to roam in its darkness or resonate in its depths—the almost solemn voices that often disrupt its silence, like howling winds, weeping rivers, piercing storms, rumbling thunder, and the haunting cries of human suffering and despair—and lastly, its removal of the bright fog and cloak of day from the starlit universe, and the grandeur with which it unrolls and reveals its "great map" of suns and systems—its silver moons—its gentle planets, each shining with its unique glow—its oceans of original and ever-burning fire known as suns—its comets, those sky-bound serpents, trailing their massive streams of deadly beauty through the quaking system—its bizarre and magnificent patterns and arrangements of stars, the constellations—its skies rising above other skies, like steps on a ladder, at the top of which is the throne of God—and those two awe-inspiring arms into which the Milky Way spreads, seeming to reach up to heaven in silent prayer or some profound and fearful protest—all these elements of fascination and majesty had been present since the dawn of time in Night, yet until Young came along, no continuous and lofty expression of poetic reverence had come forth. Many beautiful and sublime thoughts had been expressed by poets about specific aspects of Night, but no attempt had been made to depict it as a whole. There were numerous individual thoughts, but no grand and resonant Hymn. The perspectives of the Pagan poets on astronomy were, of course, distorted by the ridiculous theories of their time; this stifled their passion and made their poetic offerings more fanciful than genuinely impactful. Even Dante and Milton are somewhat hindered by the Ptolemaic system, although it showcases the strength of their genius that they managed to extract so much poetry from it. But before Young appeared,
“Nature and nature’s laws lay hid in night;
“Nature and nature’s laws were hidden in the night;
God said, Let Newton be, and all was light;”
God said, "Let Newton be," and everything was illuminated;”
and he has set the Newtonian system to his own martial music.
and he has aligned the Newtonian system with his own battle anthem.
We are far from contending that Young has exhausted the poetry of the theme. Since his time the telescopes of Herschell and Lord Rosse have been turned to the skies, and have greatly extended the size and splendour of that vast midnight Apparition—the starry scheme. Our recent poets have availed themselves of these discoveries, as witness the eloquent rhapsodies about the stars by Bailey, A. Smith, and Bigg. And there is even yet room for another great poem on the subject, entitled “Night,” were the author come. But Young deserves praise for the following things:—
We’re definitely not saying that Young has covered everything there is to say about the theme. Since his time, the telescopes of Herschel and Lord Rosse have been aimed at the skies, significantly expanding our view of that vast midnight spectacle—the starry sky. Our contemporary poets have drawn from these discoveries, as shown in the powerful poems about the stars by Bailey, A. Smith, and Bigg. There's still space for another major poem on this topic, titled “Night,” if someone would write it. However, Young deserves recognition for the following reasons:—
1st, He has nobly sung the magnitude and unutterable glory of the starry hosts. His soul kindles, triumphs, exults under the midnight canopy. As the Tartar horse when led forth from his stable to the free steppes and free firmament of the desert, bounds, prances, and caracoles for joy, so does Young, in the last part of his poem. Escaped from dark and mournful contemplations on Man, Death, Infidelity, and Earth’s “melancholy map,” he sees the stars like bright milestones on the way to heaven, and his spirit is glad within him, and tumultuous is the grandeur, and fierce and rapid the torrent, of his song.
1st, He has beautifully captured the vastness and indescribable glory of the starry sky. His soul ignites, triumphs, and rejoices under the night sky. Like a Tartar horse released from its stable to roam the open steppes and the vast desert sky, Young leaps, dances, and celebrates in the final part of his poem. Free from dark and sorrowful thoughts about Humanity, Death, Doubt, and the Earth’s “melancholy map,” he sees the stars as bright markers on the journey to heaven, filling his spirit with joy, his grandeur is overwhelming, and his song flows like a fierce and rapid torrent.
2dly, He has brought out, better than any other poet, the religion of the stars. “Night,” says Isaac Taylor, “has three daughters, Atheism, Superstition, and Religion.” Following out this fine thought, we see Atheism looking up with impudent eye, brazen brow, and naked figure, to the midnight sky, as if it were only a huge toy-shop of glittering gew-gaws; Superstition shrouding herself in a black mantle, and falling down prostrate and trembling before these innumerable fires, as if they were the eyes of an infinite enemy; while Religion turns aloft her humble, yet fearless form, her tear-trembling yet radiant visage, and murmurs, “My Father made them all.” Young, we need scarcely say, finds in the nocturnal heavens lessons neither of Atheism nor of Superstition, but of Religion, and reads in the face of Old Night her divine origin, the witness she bears to the existence of God, her dependence upon her Author, and her subordination to His purposes. He had magnified, as Newton himself could not so eloquently [xxii] have done, the extent of the universe; and yet his loyalty to Scripture compels him to intimate that this system, so far from being God, or infinite, or, strictly speaking, Divine, is to perish and pass away. One look from the angry Judge, one uplifting of His rod, and its voluminous waves of glory, like another Red Sea, are to be dried up, that the people of God may pass through and enter on the land of the real Immortality, the “inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that shall never fade away.” We refer our readers to that most eloquent picture, near the beginning of the Ninth Night, of the Last Day. We once heard a lecturer on chemistry close a superb description of the material universe, with the words, “And it is to shine on for ever.” We thought of the words of Peter, “All these things shall be dissolved.” And then we fancied an invisible animalcule inhabiting one of the mountain peaks of a furnace, looking abroad from one of its surging spires, and saying, “This wondrous blaze is to burn for ever,” and yet, ere a few hours have passed, the flame is sunk in ashes, and the animalcule is gone. So the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise. They shall perish, but Thou God remainest; nay, thou Man, too, art destined to survive this splendid nursery, and to enter on new Heavens and a new Earth!
2nd, He has captured, better than any other poet, the essence of the stars' religion. “Night,” says Isaac Taylor, “has three daughters: Atheism, Superstition, and Religion.” Following this insightful observation, we see Atheism gazing up with a defiant look, bold brow, and exposed body, at the midnight sky, as if it were just a giant toy store filled with shiny trinkets; Superstition cloaked in darkness, collapsing in fear and trembling before these countless lights, as if they were the eyes of a vast adversary; while Religion lifts her humble yet brave figure, her tear-damp but radiant face, and whispers, “My Father created them all.” Young, we can hardly say, finds in the night sky lessons of neither Atheism nor Superstition, but of Religion, and reads in the face of Old Night her divine origin, the testament she gives to the existence of God, her reliance on her Creator, and her submission to His plans. He has exalted, as Newton himself might not have expressed so powerfully, the scope of the universe; and yet his faithfulness to Scripture demands that he suggest this system, far from being God, or infinite, or truly Divine, is destined to perish and fade away. One glance from the furious Judge, one raising of His rod, and its magnificent waves of glory, like another Red Sea, will dry up, allowing the people of God to pass through and enter into the realm of true Immortality, the “inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and will never fade away.” We direct our readers to that incredibly vivid depiction, near the start of the Ninth Night, of the Last Day. We once listened to a chemistry lecturer conclude an outstanding description of the material universe with the assertion, “And it is to shine on forever.” We remembered Peter’s words, “All these things shall be dissolved.” And then we imagined a tiny invisible organism residing on one of the mountain tops of a furnace, looking out from one of its billowing peaks, and declaring, “This marvelous blaze is to burn forever,” yet, within a few hours, the flame is reduced to ashes, and the microorganism is gone. So the Heavens will vanish with a great noise. They will perish, but You, God, remain; indeed, You, too, Man, are meant to outlive this magnificent nursery and to enter into new Heavens and a new Earth!
The argument of the “Night Thoughts” may be stated in general to be as follows:—It is to shew the vanity of man as mortal; to inculcate the lowness, misery, and madness of the sensual life; to prove the superiority of the Christian to the man of the world, both in life and in death, and the worthlessness of merely human friendship; to argue, from nature and reason, the truth of man’s immortality; to shew the reasonableness of religion, and to inculcate the necessity of a divine revelation, and of a propitiatory sacrifice. That this argument is always steadily pursued, or logically pled, we do not pretend. It has its flaws;—we particularly demur to many of its proofs of the immortality of the soul, which seem to us very feeble and unsatisfactory; but, taking it as a whole, it is unanswerable and overwhelming. Its links are of red-hot iron; its appeals to the conscience are irresistible; and [xxiii] he who can read it with indifference, or rise from it unimpressed and unawed, must be either something worse or something less than man. It needs not to be surrounded by panegyrics. Convinced, purified, elevated, saved Souls, are the gems in its crown. We are inclined to believe that, in this aspect, the “Night Thoughts” has effected more practical good than the “Paradise Lost.” The latter is a splendid picture; the former a searching, powerful sermon. Now, although pictures with a strong moral contained in them have often done much good, they want the point, emphasis, and effect of great sermons. You may gaze long enough at Milton with no feeling besides admiration of his genius; but in every page Young is grappling with your conscience, and saying, “Don’t look at me, but look to yourself.” Foster, one of the greatest of our practical reasoners on religion, has been much indebted to Young, whom he resembled also in the sombre grandeur of his genius.
The argument of the "Night Thoughts" can generally be summarized as follows: It shows the emptiness of human existence; highlights the lowliness, misery, and madness of a life based on sensual pleasures; demonstrates the superiority of a Christian life over a worldly one, both in life and death; critiques the worthlessness of merely human friendships; argues for the truth of human immortality based on nature and reason; explains the reasonableness of religion, and emphasizes the necessity of divine revelation and a propitiatory sacrifice. We don’t claim that this argument is pursued consistently or is logically flawless; there are flaws—particularly, we take issue with many of its proofs of the soul's immortality, which seem weak and unconvincing. However, overall, the argument is compelling and convincing. Its connections are strong; its appeals to conscience are undeniable; and anyone who can read it without feeling moved or awed must be something less than human, or perhaps something worse. It doesn’t need to be surrounded by praise. The convinced, purified, elevated, and saved souls are the true jewels in its crown. We believe that, in this respect, "Night Thoughts" has done more practical good than "Paradise Lost." The latter is a magnificent work; the former is a probing, impactful sermon. While morally strong artworks have done much good, they lack the impact, emphasis, and effect of great sermons. You can admire Milton’s genius without feeling anything more, but on every page of Young’s work, he confronts your conscience, saying, “Don’t focus on me; focus on yourself.” Foster, one of our greatest practical thinkers on religion, has drawn greatly from Young, reflecting similar depths of serious grandeur in his genius.
Young’s imagery is distinguished by its richness, originality, and exceeding boldness. It was verily a new thing in that timid and conventional age. Like the imagery of all highest poets, it is selected alike from low and from lofty objects, from the gay and the gloomy, from stars and dunghills. His mind moves along through the poem like a great wheel, now descending and now ascending, easy to criticise, but impossible to resist. You may question the taste of many of his figures, such as that of the Sun—
Young’s imagery stands out for its depth, creativity, and daring boldness. It was truly something new in that cautious and conventional time. Like the imagery of all the greatest poets, it draws equally from both humble and elevated subjects, from cheerful and somber themes, from stars and garbage. His thoughts flow through the poem like a huge wheel, sometimes going down and sometimes going up; it’s easy to critique, but impossible to ignore. You might question the taste of many of his images, like that of the Sun—
“Rude drunkard, rising rosy from the main;”
“Rude drunkard, getting up rosy from the sea;”
or when he speaks of God as the “Great Philanthropist;” or calls the moon “the Portland of the skies;” but you always feel yourself in contact with a new, native, overflowing mind—with a mind which has read nature through man, and man through nature. There is to Young’s genius nothing common or unclean in the material universe. All points up to God, and looks round significantly to man. His imagination has no limits, and, when he is thoroughly roused, like the war-horse of Job, the “glory of his nostrils is terrible;” it is the fury of power, the revel of conscious wealth, the “prancing of a mighty one;” [xxiv] not the dance of mere fancy, but the earnestness and energy of one treading a winepress alone. In proof of this, we appeal to his splendid passages on the miserable state of Man, on Dreams, on Procrastination, to one half of his defence of Immortality, and to the whole of his descant on the Stars. This every one feels is power—barbarous power, if you will—savage, mismanaged power, if you please to call it so; but power that moves, agitates, overwhelms, hurries you away like an infant on the stream of a cataract.
or when he talks about God as the “Great Philanthropist;” or refers to the moon as “the Portland of the skies;” but you always sense a connection with a fresh, native, overflowing mind—one that has understood nature through humanity, and humanity through nature. For Young’s genius, there’s nothing ordinary or dirty in the material universe. All points to God and looks around meaningfully at man. His imagination knows no bounds, and when he's truly fired up, like the war-horse from Job, the “glory of his nostrils is terrible;” it embodies the fury of power, the ecstatic realization of wealth, the “prancing of a mighty one;” [xxiv] not just the dance of idle fantasy, but the seriousness and intensity of someone treading a winepress alone. To prove this, we point to his stunning passages on the wretched condition of humanity, on Dreams, on Procrastination, to one half of his defense of Immortality, and to his entire discussion on the Stars. Everyone recognizes this as power—brutal power, if you like—savage, misdirected power, if you prefer to call it that; but it’s power that moves, stirs, overwhelms, sweeping you away like a child in the current of a waterfall.
His diction is, on the whole, a worthy medium to his thought. It has been somewhat spoiled by intimacy with Pope’s writings, and is often vitiated with antithesis, an excess in which was the mode of the day. Now and then, too, he is coarse and violent, to vulgarity, in his expressions. But whenever he forgets Pope, and remembers Milton—or, still more, when he becomes swallowed up in the magnitude of his theme—his language is easy, powerful, and magnificent. It never, as Mitford asserts, is unsupported by a “corresponding grandeur of thought.” There is more thought in Young’s poem—more sharp, clear, original reflection—more of that matter which leaves stings behind it—more moral sublimity—than in any poem which has appeared since in Britain. Mitford says, that “every image is amplified to the utmost.” Some images unquestionably are; but amplification is not a prevailing vice of Young’s style—it is, indeed, inconsistent with that pointed intensity which is his general manner; and how comes it, if he be a diffuse and wordy writer, that his pages literally sparkle with maxims, and that, next perhaps to Shakspeare, no poet has been so often quoted? What the same writer means by Young “fatiguing the reader’s mind,” we can understand; since it is fatiguing to look long at the sun, or to follow the grand parabola of the eagle’s flight; but how he should “dissatisfy” the mind of any intelligent and candid reader, is to us extraordinary. It is not true that the work has “a uniformity of subject.” Its tone is rather uniform, but its subjects are as varied as they are important. They are—Man—the World—Ambition—Pleasure—Infidelity—Immortality—Death—Judgment—Heaven—Hell—the Stars—Eternity. Mr [xxv] Mitford compares Young to Seneca; as if a cold collector of stiff maxims, and a poet whose wisdom was set in enthusiasm as in a ring of fire, were proper subjects of comparison. And it is strange how he should introduce the name of Cicero, as if he were not that very master of amplification, and of over-copiousness of expression, which Mitford imagines Young to be! “No selection—no discreet and graceful reservation—no experienced taste!”—in other words, he was not Pope or Campbell, but Edward Young—not a middle-sized, neat, and well-dressed citizen, but a hirsute giant—not an elegant parterre, but an American forest, bowing only to the old Tempests, and offering up a holocaust of native wealth and glory, not to Man, but to God.
His language, overall, effectively conveys his ideas. However, it's been slightly influenced by his closeness to Pope's writing, often resulting in excessive use of contrast, which was popular at the time. Occasionally, he uses crude and harsh expressions. But whenever he sets aside Pope and embraces Milton—or even more so, when he gets immersed in the grandeur of his theme—his writing becomes smooth, impactful, and majestic. Contrary to Mitford's claim, his work is indeed supported by a “corresponding grandeur of thought.” Young’s poem contains more insight—more sharp, clear, original reflection—more material that leaves a lasting impression—more moral depth—than any poem published in Britain since. Mitford states that “every image is amplified to the utmost.” Some images certainly are; but over-expansion isn’t a main flaw in Young’s style—it actually contradicts his typical pointed intensity. If he were a verbose and overly detailed writer, how is it that his pages genuinely sparkle with maxims, and that, maybe after Shakespeare, no other poet has been quoted as frequently? What Mitford means by claiming Young “fatigues the reader's mind,” we can grasp; it can be tiring to gaze at the sun for too long, or to follow the soaring arc of an eagle's flight. However, how he could “dissatisfy” the mind of any thoughtful and open-minded reader seems peculiar to us. It's not accurate that the work has “a uniformity of subject.” Its tone is somewhat consistent, but its subjects are as diverse as they are significant. They include—Man—the World—Ambition—Pleasure—Infidelity—Immortality—Death—Judgment—Heaven—Hell—the Stars—Eternity. Mr. Mitford compares Young to Seneca, as if a cold collector of rigid maxims could be appropriately compared to a poet whose wisdom is imbued with passion. It’s also odd that he mentions Cicero, as if he weren’t the very master of amplification and wordiness that Mitford imagines Young to be! “No selection—no careful and elegant restraint—no seasoned taste!”—in other words, he was not Pope or Campbell, but Edward Young—not a neat, well-groomed citizen, but a wild giant—not an elegant garden, but an American forest, bowing only to the ancient storms, offering up a sacrifice of native wealth and glory, not to Man, but to God.
His versification is a more vulnerable point. We grant at once that it is, as a whole, rugged and imperfect, and that, while his single lines are often exceedingly melodious, he rarely reaches, any more than Pope or Johnson, those long and linked swells of sound—
His verse is a weaker point. We can agree that, overall, it is rough and incomplete, and that, while his individual lines are often very melodic, he rarely achieves, just like Pope or Johnson, those long and flowing waves of sound—
“Floating, mingling, interweaving,
"Floating, blending, intertwining,"
Rising, sinking, and receiving
Rising, falling, and receiving
Each from each, while each is giving
Each from each, while each is giving
On to each, and each relieving
On to each one, and each one taking a break
Each, the pails of gold, the living
Each, the pails of gold, the living
Current through the air is heaving”—
Current through the air is heaving”—
which Goëthe has so beautifully, although unintentionally, described in these words, applied by him to the elements of Nature; and which he and Milton, and Spenser, and Coleridge, and Shelley, have so admirably exemplified in their verse. Young’s style is too broken and sententious to permit the miracles of melody which are found in some of our poets. Yet he has a few passages which approach even to this high standard. Take the following:—
which Goethe has so beautifully, though unintentionally, described in these words, relating to the elements of Nature; and which he, along with Milton, Spenser, Coleridge, and Shelley, has so wonderfully shown in their poetry. Young’s style is too fragmented and moralistic to allow for the musicality found in some of our poets. Still, he has a few passages that come close to this high standard. Take the following:—
“Look nature through, ’tis revolution all;
“Look at nature; it’s all revolution;”
All change, no death. Day follows night, and night
All change, no death. Day follows night, and night
The dying day; stars rise and set and rise;
The day is ending; stars come up and go down and come up again;
Earth takes th’ example. See the summer gay,
Earth takes the example. Look at the cheerful summer,
With her green chaplet, and ambrosial flowers,
With her green wreath and divine flowers,
Droops into pallid autumn; winter gray,
Droops into pale autumn; winter gray,
Horrid with frost, and turbulent with storm,
Horrid with frost, and turbulent with storm,
Blows autumn, and his golden fruits away;
Blows autumn, and its golden fruits away;
Then melts into the spring. Soft spring, with breath
Then melts into the spring. Soft spring, with breath
Favonian, from warm chambers of the south,
Favonian, from the warm rooms of the south,
Recalls the first.”
Remembers the first.
Or take the well-known burst which closes the First Night:—
Or take the famous ending that wraps up the First Night:—
“The sprightly lark’s shrill matin wakes the morn;
"The lively lark's cheerful song wakes up the morning;
Grief’s sharpest thorn hard pressing on my breast,
Grief’s sharpest thorn pushing hard against my chest,
I strive, with wakeful melody, to cheer
I strive, with lively tunes, to uplift
The sullen gloom, sweet Philomel! like thee,
The heavy sadness, sweet Philomel! like you,
And call the stars to listen: every star
And call the stars to listen: every star
Is deaf to mine, enamour’d of thy lay.
Is deaf to my voice, captivated by your song.
Yet be not vain; there are, who thine excel,
Yet don’t be vain; there are those who are better than you,
And charm through distant ages: wrapt in shade,
And charm through distant ages: wrapped in shadow,
Prisoner of darkness! to the silent hours
Prisoner of darkness! in the quiet hours
How often I repeat their rage divine,
How often I echo their divine anger,
To lull my griefs, and steal my heart from woe!
To soothe my sorrows and take my heart away from pain!
I roll their raptures, but not catch their fire,
I experience their joy, but I don't feel their passion,
Dark, though not blind, like thee, Mæonides!
Dark, but not blind, like you, Mæonides!
Or his, who made Mæonides our own.
Or his, who made Mæonides ours.
Man, too, he sung; immortal man I sing;
Man, too, he sang; I sing of immortal man;
Oft bursts my song beyond the bounds of life;
Oftentimes, my song breaks free from the limits of life;
What, now, but immortality, can please?
What else, but immortality, can please?
O had he press’d his theme, pursued the track
O had he pressed his theme, pursued the track
Which opens out of darkness into day!
Which opens from darkness into daylight!
O had he, mounted on his wing of fire,
O had he, riding on his fiery wings,
Soar’d where I sink, and sung immortal man!
Soar where I sink, and sing about immortal humanity!
How had it bless’d mankind, and rescued me!”
How has it blessed humanity and saved me!
The reader will notice how, in this noble passage, the individual sentences and points are all subordinated to the main purpose of the poet, and being subjected to the general stress of the strain, do not detract from, but add to, its musical unity.
The reader will notice how, in this noble passage, all the individual sentences and points support the main purpose of the poet, and by being influenced by the overall tension, they do not take away from but enhance its musical unity.
The comparative place of the poem, and the genius of the writer, are two subjects which are closely connected, and indeed slide into each other. The “Night Thoughts” must not be named, in interest, finish, sustained sublimity, and artistic completeness, with the “Iliad,” the “Divina Commedia,” or the “Paradise Lost.” It ranks, however, at the top of such a high class of poems as Cowper’s Poems, Thomson’s “Seasons,” Byron’s Poems, Blair’s “Grave,” Pollock’s “Course of [xxvii] Time,” and a few others not very often criticised now-a-days. Young, however, seems to us to have been capable of even higher things than he has effected in his works. He was one of those prolific, fiery, inexhaustible souls, who never seem nearing a limit, or dreaming of a shallow in their genius; who, often stumbling over precipices or precipitated into pools, rise stronger, and rush on faster, from their misadventures; who, sometimes stopping too long to moralise on fungi and ant-hillocks, are all the better breathed to career through endless forests, and to take Alps and Andes at a flying leap; and who are
The relative standing of the poem and the talent of the writer are two topics that are closely linked and often blend together. The “Night Thoughts” shouldn’t be compared in terms of interest, depth, sustained greatness, and artistic completeness with the “Iliad,” the “Divina Commedia,” or “Paradise Lost.” However, it does rank among the best in its class alongside Cowper’s Poems, Thomson’s “Seasons,” Byron’s Poems, Blair’s “Grave,” Pollock’s “Course of Time,” and a few others that aren't frequently critiqued these days. Young, however, seems to have been capable of achieving even greater things than what he accomplished in his works. He was one of those prolific, passionate, tireless individuals who never appear to reach a limit or consider their genius shallow; who, often stumbling over cliffs or falling into traps, emerge more powerful and rush forward faster from their misadventures; who sometimes linger too long to reflect on mushrooms and ant hills, but are all the better prepared to race through endless forests and leap over the Alps and Andes.
“Ne’er so sure our pleasure to create,
“Never so sure our pleasure to create,
As when they tread the brink of all we hate.”
As when they stand on the edge of everything we despise.”
His taste was not equal certainly to his other faculties, and he was guilty of occasional extravagances, and stumbled not unfrequently over the brink of the bathos; but his genius possessed the following qualities:—It was original. He had read much, but he copies little, and never slavishly. His mind looks at everything—at skulls and stars—through a medium of its own. It was subtle as well as native and strong, and in its movements it is broadly based on a vigorous intellect. It was progressive and prophetic in its spirit, and many of our recent speculations or semi-speculations on the relations of man and nature, are to be found in Young—ay, in the mere spray his mind threw off on its way to an ulterior result. Think of this, for instance, and then remember a similar expression in Carlyle:—
His taste certainly wasn’t as good as his other abilities, and he sometimes made extravagant choices and often tripped over the edge of mediocrity; but his genius had these qualities: it was original. He had read a lot but copied little, and never in a mindless way. His mind views everything—whether it’s skulls or stars—through its own lens. It was subtle as well as innate and strong, and its movements are firmly rooted in a vigorous intellect. It was progressive and visionary in its spirit, and many of our recent thoughts or half-thoughts about the connections between humans and nature can be found in Young—yes, even in the mere byproducts of his mind as it moved toward a final outcome. Think of this, for example, and then recall a similar expression in Carlyle:—
“Man’s grief is but his grandeur in disguise;
“Man’s grief is just his greatness in disguise;
And discontent is immortality.”
“And discontent is eternal.”
Finally, his genius, with all its compass and daring, was reverent and religious. He gloried in the universe; he swam, as it were, and circled like a strong swimmer, in that starry sea; but he bent before the Cross, and, instead of looking up, looked down, and cried out, “God be merciful to me a sinner.”
Finally, his genius, with all its breadth and boldness, was respectful and spiritual. He took pride in the universe; he immersed himself, so to speak, and moved like a strong swimmer in that starry ocean; yet he bowed before the Cross, and instead of looking up, he looked down, and cried out, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
We commend his masterpiece to readers, partly, indeed, for its power,—a power that has hitherto rather been felt than [xxviii] acknowledged, rather admired in silence than analysed; but principally because, like “The Temple” of Herbert, it is holy ground. The author, amid his elaborate ingenuities, and wilful though minor perversities, never ceases to love and to honour truth; in pursuit of renown, he is never afraid to glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; and if his flights of fancy be at times too wild, and if his thoughts be often set to the tune of the tempest, it is a tempest on whose wings, to use his own simple but immortal words, “The Lord is abroad.”
We recommend his masterpiece to readers, partly for its strength—a strength that has mostly been felt rather than recognized, admired in silence rather than analyzed; but mainly because, like Herbert's “The Temple,” it is sacred ground. The author, in the midst of his intricate creativity and intentional but minor quirks, never stops loving and honoring truth; in his quest for fame, he isn’t afraid to celebrate the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; and while his flights of imagination can sometimes be a bit too extreme, and his thoughts often resonate with the chaos of a storm, it’s a storm on which, to use his own simple yet timeless words, “The Lord is abroad.”
THE COMPLAINT:
or
Night Thoughts.
PREFACE.
As the occasion of this Poem was real, not fictitious; so the method pursued in it was rather imposed by what spontaneously arose in the Author’s mind on that occasion, than meditated or designed. Which will appear very probable from the nature of it. For it differs from the common mode of poetry, which is, from long narrations to draw short morals. Here, on the contrary, the narrative is short, and the morality arising from it makes the bulk of the Poem. The reason of it is, that the facts mentioned did naturally pour these moral reflections on the thought of the Writer.
Since the occasion for this poem was real and not made up, the approach used in it came more from what spontaneously came to the Author’s mind at that moment, rather than being carefully planned or designed. This seems very likely based on its nature. It’s different from the usual style of poetry, which often draws brief morals from long stories. Here, in contrast, the story is brief, and the moral insights drawn from it make up the majority of the poem. The reason for this is that the facts mentioned naturally inspired these moral reflections in the Writer’s thoughts.
NIGHT FIRST.
FIRST NIGHT.
ON LIFE, DEATH, AND IMMORTALITY.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ARTHUR ONSLOW, ESQ.,
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
TO THE HONOURABLE
ARTHUR ONSLOW, ESQ.,
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Tired Nature’s sweet restorer, balmy Sleep!
Tired Nature's comforting restorer, soothing Sleep!
He, like the world, his ready visit pays
He, like the world, pays a friendly visit.
Where Fortune smiles; the wretched he forsakes;
Where luck shines, the unfortunate are left behind;
Swift on his downy pinion flies from woe,
Swift on his soft wings flies away from sorrow,
And lights on lids unsullied with a tear.
And lights on eyes untouched by a tear.
From short (as usual) and disturb’d repose,
From brief (as usual) and restless sleep,
I wake: how happy they, who wake no more!
I wake: how happy are those who will wake no more!
Yet that were vain, if dreams infest the grave.
Yet that would be pointless if dreams haunt the grave.
I wake, emerging from a sea of dreams
I wake up, coming out of a sea of dreams.
Tumultuous; where my wreck’d desponding thought 10
Tumultuous; where my troubled, hopeless thoughts
From wave to wave of fancied misery
From wave to wave of imagined suffering
At random drove, her helm of reason lost.
At random drove, her control of reason lost.
Though now restored, ’tis only change of pain,
Though it’s now restored, it’s just a shift in pain,
(A bitter change!) severer for severe:
(A bitter change!) harsher for harsh:
The day too short for my distress; and night, 15
The day is too short for my pain; and night,15
Even in the zenith of her dark domain,
Even at the peak of her dark realm,
Is sunshine to the colour of my fate.
Is sunshine to the color of my destiny.
Night, sable goddess! from her ebon throne,
Night, dark goddess! from her black throne,
In rayless majesty, now stretches forth
In its majestic beauty, now extends
Her leaden sceptre o’er a slumbering world.
Her heavy scepter over a sleeping world.
Silence, how dead! and darkness, how profound!
Silence, so empty! and darkness, so deep!
Nor eye, nor listening ear, an object finds;
Nor eye nor listening ear can find an object;
Creation sleeps. ’Tis as the general pulse 23
Creation sleeps. It’s like the general pulse23
Of life stood still, and nature made a pause;
Of life stood still, and nature took a break;
An awful pause! prophetic of her end.
An awful pause! Foreshadowing her end.
And let her prophecy be soon fulfill’d;
And let her prophecy be fulfilled quickly;
Fate! drop the curtain; I can lose no more.
Fate! Lower the curtain; I can't take any more losses.
Silence and darkness: solemn sisters! twins
Silence and darkness: serious sisters! twins
From ancient Night, who nurse the tender thought
From ancient Night, who nurtures the gentle thought
To reason, and on reason build resolve 30
To think things through and make decisions based on those thoughts30
(That column of true majesty in man),
(That column of true majesty in man),
Assist me: I will thank you in the grave;
Assist me: I’ll thank you when I’m gone;
The grave, your kingdom: there this frame shall fall
The grave, your domain: there this body will fall
A victim sacred to your dreary shrine.
A victim devoted to your gloomy shrine.
But what are ye?—
But what are you?—
Thou, who didst put to flight
You, who drove away
Primeval Silence, when the morning stars,
Primeval Silence, when the morning stars,
Exulting, shouted o’er the rising ball;
Exulting, shouted over the rising ball;
O Thou, whose word from solid darkness struck
O You, whose word broke through the solid darkness
That spark, the sun; strike wisdom from my soul; 40
That spark, the sun; pull wisdom from my soul;40
My soul, which flies to thee, her trust, her treasure,
My soul, which flies to you, her trust, her treasure,
As misers to their gold, while others rest.
As hoarders do with their money, while others relax.
Through this opaque of nature, and of soul,
Through this obscurity of nature and of spirit,
This double night, transmit one pitying ray,
This double night, send one compassionate beam,
To lighten, and to cheer. O lead my mind,
To brighten up and bring joy. Oh, guide my thoughts,
(A mind that fain would wander from its woe),
(A mind that gladly wants to escape from its sorrow),
Lead it through various scenes of life and death;
Lead it through different moments of life and death;
And from each scene the noblest truths inspire.
And from every scene, the greatest truths are revealed.
Nor less inspire my conduct, than my song; 49
Nor less inspire my actions, than my song;49
Teach my best reason, reason; my best will
Teach my best reason, reason; my best will
Teach rectitude; and fix my firm resolve
Teach integrity; and strengthen my unwavering commitment.
Wisdom to wed, and pay her long arrear:
Wisdom to marry, and settle her long overdue debts:
Nor let the phial of thy vengeance, pour’d
Nor let the vial of your revenge, poured
On this devoted head, be pour’d in vain.
On this dedicated head, may it be poured in vain.
The bell strikes one. We take no note of time
The bell chimes once. We pay no attention to the time.
But from its loss. To give it then a tongue
But from its loss. To give it a voice then
Is wise in man. As if an angel spoke,
Is wise in a person. As if an angel spoke,
I feel the solemn sound. If heard aright,
I feel the serious sound. If listened to properly,
It is the knell of my departed hours:
It is the sound of my lost time:
Where are they? With the years beyond the flood. 60
Where are they? In the years after the flood.60
It is the signal that demands despatch:
It’s the signal that requires immediate action:
How much is to be done? My hopes and fears
How much needs to be done? My hopes and fears
Start up alarm’d, and o’er life’s narrow verge
Startled awake, and over life's narrow edge
Look down—on what? a fathomless abyss;
Look down—on what? a bottomless void;
A dread eternity! how surely mine!
A terrifying eternity! How definitely mine!
And can eternity belong to me,
Can eternity be mine?
Poor pensioner on the bounties of an hour?
Poor pensioner living on the benefits of an hour?
How poor, how rich, how abject, how august,
How poor, how rich, how miserable, how exalted,
How complicate, how wonderful, is man!
How complicated, how amazing, is man!
How passing wonder He who made him such! 70
How amazing it is that He who made him like this!70
Who centred in our make such strange extremes!
Who centers in our makeup such strange extremes!
From different natures marvellously mix’d,
From different natures wonderfully mixed,
Connexion exquisite of distant worlds!
Exquisite connection of distant worlds!
Distinguish’d link in being’s endless chain!
Distinguished link in the endless chain of existence!
Midway from nothing to the Deity!
Halfway from nothing to God!
A beam ethereal, sullied and absorb’d!
A beam of light, tarnished and taken in!
Though sullied and dishonour’d, still divine!
Though tainted and dishonored, still divine!
Dim miniature of greatness absolute!
Little version of total greatness!
An heir of glory! a frail child of dust!
An heir of glory! a fragile child of dirt!
Helpless immortal! insect infinite! 80
Helpless immortal! Infinite insect! 80
A worm! a god!—I tremble at myself,
A worm! A god!—I shiver at the thought of myself,
And in myself am lost! At home a stranger,
And I feel lost within myself! A stranger in my own home,
Thought wanders up and down, surprised, aghast, 83
Thought wanders around, confused and shocked,83
And wondering at her own: how reason reels!
And she was amazed at her own: how reason spins!
O what a miracle to man is man,
O what a miracle man is to man,
Triumphantly distress’d! what joy, what dread!
Triumphantly distressed! What joy, what fear!
Alternately transported and alarm’d!
Transported and alarmed!
What can preserve my life, or what destroy?
What can save my life, or what can end it?
An angel’s arm can’t snatch me from the grave;
An angel’s arm can't pull me out of the grave;
Legions of angels can’t confine me there. 90
Legions of angels can't keep me there.90
’Tis past conjecture; all things rise in proof:
It’s beyond guesswork; everything comes up as evidence:
While o’er my limbs sleep’s soft dominion spread,
While sleep's gentle power spread over my limbs,
What though my soul fantastic measures trod
What if my imagination takes wild steps?
O’er fairy fields; or mourn’d along the gloom
O'er fairy fields; or mourned along the gloom
Of pathless woods; or down the craggy steep
Of uncharted woods; or down the rocky slope
Hurl’d headlong, swam with pain the mantled pool;
Hurtling headfirst, I swam through the painful pool;
Or scaled the cliff; or danced on hollow winds,
Or climbed the cliff; or danced on empty winds,
With antic shapes, wild natives of the brain?
With bizarre shapes, wild natives of the mind?
Her ceaseless flight, though devious, speaks her nature
Her constant movement, even if it's tricky, reveals who she really is.
Of subtler essence than the trodden clod; 100
Of a finer essence than the trampled earth;100
Active, aërial, towering, unconfined,
Active, airy, towering, unconfined,
Unfetter’d with her gross companion’s fall.
Unburdened by her clumsy partner's fall.
Even silent night proclaims my soul immortal:
Even the silent night declares that my soul is eternal:
Even silent night proclaims eternal day.
Even the silent night announces everlasting day.
For human weal, Heaven husbands all events;
For human welfare, Heaven manages all events;
Dull sleep instructs, nor sport vain dreams in vain.
Dull sleep teaches, and pointless dreams serve no purpose.
Why then their loss deplore that are not lost?
Why grieve for those who aren’t truly lost?
Why wanders wretched thought their tombs around,
Why do miserable thoughts wander around their graves,
In infidel distress? Are angels there?
In times of doubt? Are angels present?
Slumbers, raked up in dust, ethereal fire? 110
Slumbers, gathered in dust, otherworldly fire?110
They live! they greatly live a life on earth
They live! They truly live a life on Earth.
Unkindled, unconceived; and from an eye
Unlit, unimagined; and from an eye
Of tenderness let heavenly pity fall
Of kindness, let divine compassion flow
On me, more justly number’d with the dead.
On me, more rightly counted among the dead.
This is the desert, this the solitude:
This is the desert, this the solitude:
How populous, how vital, is the grave!
How crowded and alive is the grave!
This is creation’s melancholy vault, 117
This is creation's sad vault, 117
The vale funereal, the sad cypress gloom;
The funeral valley, the sad cypress shadow;
The land of apparitions, empty shades!
The land of ghosts, vacant shadows!
All, all on earth, is shadow, all beyond
All, everything on earth, is just a shadow; everything beyond
Is substance; the reverse is Folly’s creed:
Is substance; the opposite is Fool's belief:
How solid all, where change shall be no more!
How solid everything will be, where there will be no more change!
This is the bud of being, the dim dawn, 123
This is the beginning of existence, the faint morning light,123
The twilight of our day, the vestibule;
The evening of our day, the entrance;
Life’s theatre as yet is shut, and death,
Life’s stage is still closed, and death,
Strong death, alone can heave the massy bar,
Strong death, only it can lift the heavy barrier,
This gross impediment of clay remove,
This big obstacle of clay remove,
And make us embryos of existence free.
And let us be free forms of existence.
From real life, but little more remote
From real life, but a bit more distant.
Is he, not yet a candidate for light, 130
Is he, not yet a candidate for light,130
The future embryo, slumbering in his sire.
The future embryo, resting in his father.
Embryos we must be, till we burst the shell,
Embryos we must be, till we break the shell,
Yon ambient azure shell, and spring to life,
Yon ambient azure shell, and spring to life,
The life of gods, O transport! and of man.
The lives of gods, oh what excitement! and of humans.
Yet man, fool man! here buries all his thoughts;
Yet man, foolish man! here buries all his thoughts;
Inters celestial hopes without one sigh.
Inters celestial hopes without a single sigh.
Prisoner of earth, and pent beneath the moon,
Prisoner of earth, and stuck under the moon,
Here pinions all his wishes; wing’d by heaven
Here pinions all his wishes; winged by heaven
To fly at infinite; and reach it there,
To fly infinitely and get there,
Where seraphs gather immortality, 140
Where angels gather forever, 140
On life’s fair tree, fast by the throne of God.
On life's beautiful tree, right by the throne of God.
What golden joys ambrosial clustering glow
What golden joys gather in a shining glow
In His full beam, and ripen for the just,
In His full brightness, and ready for the righteous,
Where momentary ages are no more!
Where fleeting years have passed!
Where time, and pain, and chance, and death, expire!
Where time, pain, chance, and death come to an end!
And is it in the flight of threescore years
And is it in the span of sixty years
To push eternity from human thought,
To remove the idea of eternity from human thought,
And smother souls immortal in the dust?
And suffocate immortal souls in the dust?
A soul immortal, spending all her fires,
A timeless soul, pouring out all her passion,
Wasting her strength in strenuous idleness 150
Wasting her energy in exhausting inactivity150
Thrown into tumult, raptured, or alarm’d, 151
Thrown into chaos, ecstatic, or alarmed,151
At aught this scene can threaten or indulge,
At anything this scene can threaten or indulge,
Resembles ocean into tempest wrought,
Looks like the ocean in a storm,
To waft a feather, or to drown a fly.
To float a feather or to sink a fly.
Where falls this censure? It o’erwhelms myself;
Where does this criticism land? It overwhelms me;
How was my heart encrusted by the world!
How was my heart covered by the world!
O how self-fetter’d was my grovelling soul!
O how chained was my crawling soul!
How, like a worm, was I wrapt round and round
How, like a worm, was I wrapped around and around
In silken thought, which reptile fancy spun,
In smooth thoughts, which a crafty imagination wove,
Till darken’d reason lay quite clouded o’er 160
Till darkened reason lay completely clouded over160
With soft conceit of endless comfort here,
With a gentle belief in limitless comfort here,
Nor yet put forth her wings to reach the skies!
Nor has she spread her wings to fly to the skies!
Night-visions may befriend (as sung above):
Night-visions can be friends (as mentioned above):
Our waking dreams are fatal. How I dream’d
Our waking dreams are deadly. How I dreamed
Of things impossible! (could sleep do more?)
Of impossible things! (Could sleep do more?)
Of joys perpetual in perpetual change!
Of endless joys in constant change!
Of stable pleasures on the tossing wave!
Of steady joys on the rolling waves!
Eternal sunshine in the storms of life!
Eternal sunshine in the storms of life!
How richly were my noontide trances hung
How richly were my midday dreams filled
With gorgeous tapestries of pictured joys! 170
With beautiful tapestries of visual delights!170
Joy behind joy, in endless perspective!
Joy after joy, in endless view!
Till at death’s toll, whose restless iron tongue
Till at death's toll, whose restless iron tongue
Calls daily for his millions at a meal,
Calls daily for his millions at a meal,
Starting I woke, and found myself undone.
Starting I woke, and found myself undone.
Where now my phrensy’s pompous furniture?
Where is the grand setup of my madness now?
The cobwebb’d cottage, with its ragged wall
The cobweb-covered cottage, with its tattered wall
Of mouldering mud, is royalty to me!
Of decaying mud, is royalty to me!
The spider’s most attenuated thread
The spider's thinnest thread
Is cord, is cable, to man’s tender tie
Is cord, is cable, to man’s tender tie
On earthly bliss; it breaks at every breeze. 180
On earthly happiness; it shatters with every gust.180
O ye blest scenes of permanent delight!
O you blessed places of everlasting joy!
Full above measure! lasting beyond bound!
Full to overflowing! lasting without limit!
A perpetuity of bliss is bliss.
A never-ending state of happiness is happiness.
Could you, so rich in rapture, fear an end,
Could you, so full of joy, fear an end,
That ghastly thought would drink up all your joy, 185
That awful thought would drain all your happiness,185
And quite unparadise the realms of light.
And completely ruin the realms of light.
Safe are you lodged above these rolling spheres;
Safe are you settled above these spinning worlds;
The baleful influence of whose giddy dance
The harmful effect of their dizzy dance
Sheds sad vicissitude on all beneath.
Sheds a sad change on everyone below.
Here teems with revolutions every hour;
Here, revolutions happen every hour;
And rarely for the better; or the best,
And seldom for the better; or the best,
More mortal than the common births of fate.
More mortal than the usual births of fate.
Each moment has its sickle, emulous 193
Each moment has its own sickle, emulous193
Of Time’s enormous scythe, whose ample sweep
Of Time’s huge scythe, with its wide sweep
Strikes empires from the root; each moment plays
Strikes empires from the ground up; every moment matters.
His little weapon in the narrower sphere
His small weapon in the more limited area
Of sweet domestic comfort, and cuts down
Of sweet home comfort, and cuts down
The fairest bloom of sublunary bliss.
The most beautiful flower of earthly happiness.
Bliss! sublunary bliss!—proud words, and vain!
Bliss! earthly bliss!—arrogant words, and empty!
Implicit treason to divine decree! 200
Implicit treason against divine decree! 200
A bold invasion of the rights of Heaven!
A daring attack on the rights of Heaven!
I clasp’d the phantoms, and I found them air.
I grabbed the phantoms, and I found they were just air.
Oh! had I weigh’d it ere my fond embrace,
Oh! if I had considered it before my loving embrace,
What darts of agony had miss’d my heart!
What sharp pains had missed my heart!
Death! great proprietor of all! ’tis thine
Death! the ultimate owner of everything! it's yours
To tread out empire, and to quench the stars.
To build an empire and to silence the stars.
The sun himself by thy permission shines;
The sun itself shines with your permission;
And, one day, thou shalt pluck him from his sphere.
And one day, you will take him from his place.
Amid such mighty plunder, why exhaust
Amid such great looting, why wear yourself out
Thy partial quiver on a mark so mean? 210
Thy slight tremble at such a small target?210
Why thy peculiar rancour wreak’d on me?
Why is your strange bitterness directed at me?
Insatiate archer! could not one suffice?
Insatiable archer! Couldn’t one be enough?
Thy shaft flew thrice;[2] and thrice my peace was slain;
Your arrow flew three times;[2] and three times my peace was destroyed;
And thrice, ere thrice yon moon had fill’d her horn.
And three times, before that moon has filled her horn three times.
O Cynthia! why so pale? dost thou lament
O Cynthia! Why so pale? Are you mourning?
Thy wretched neighbour? grieve to see thy wheel
Your miserable neighbor? It's sad to see your wheel.
Of ceaseless change outwhirl’d in human life? 217
Of constant change swirling in human life?217
How wanes my borrow’d bliss! from fortune’s smile,
How my borrowed happiness fades! from fortune’s smile,
Precarious courtesy! not virtue’s sure,
Uncertain politeness! not true virtue’s,
Self-given, solar ray of sound delight.
Self-given, solar beam of sound joy.
In every varied posture, place, and hour,
In every different position, location, and time,
How widow’d every thought of every joy!
How empty every thought of joy feels!
Thought, busy thought! too busy for my peace!
Thought, busy thought! way too busy for my peace!
Through the dark postern of time long lapsed, 224
Through the dark backdoor of time long past,224
Led softly, by the stillness of the night,
Led gently by the quiet of the night,
Led, like a murderer, (and such it proves!)
Led, like a killer, (and that's exactly what it is!)
Strays (wretched rover!) o’er the pleasing past;
Strays (sorry wanderer!) over the enjoyable past;
In quest of wretchedness perversely strays;
In search of misery, it accidentally goes off course;
And finds all desert now; and meets the ghosts
And finds nothing but desert now; and encounters the ghosts
Of my departed joys; a numerous train! 230
Of my lost joys; a long list!230
I rue the riches of my former fate;
I regret the wealth of my past.
Sweet comfort’s blasted clusters I lament;
Sweet comfort's destroyed clusters I mourn;
I tremble at the blessings once so dear;
I shake at the blessings that were once so precious;
And every pleasure pains me to the heart.
And every pleasure hurts me deeply.
Yet why complain? or why complain for one?
Yet why complain? Or why complain about just one?
Hangs out the sun his lustre but for me,
Hangs out the sun its brightness just for me,
The single man? Are angels all beside?
The single man? Are the angels all around?
I mourn for millions: ’tis the common lot;
I grieve for millions: it's the shared fate;
In this shape, or in that, has fate entail’d
In this form, or in that, fate has determined
The mother’s throes on all of woman born, 240
The mother's struggles for all women born,240
Not more the children, than sure heirs, of pain.
Not more the children, than certain heirs, of pain.
War, famine, pest, volcano, storm, and fire,
War, famine, disease, volcanoes, storms, and fires,
Intestine broils, oppression, with her heart
Intestine burns, pressure, with her heart
Wrapt up in triple brass, besiege mankind.
Wrapped in triple brass, surround humanity.
God’s image disinherited of day,
God’s image disinherited of day,
Here, plunged in mines, forgets a sun was made.
Here, buried in the mines, forgets that the sun was created.
There, beings deathless as their haughty lord,
There, beings as immortal as their arrogant leader,
Are hammer’d to the galling oar for life;
Are forced to endure the painful work for life;
And plough the winter’s wave, and reap despair.
And navigate the winter's waves, and harvest despair.
Some, for hard masters, broken under arms, 250
Some, for tough leaders, broke under pressure,250
In battle lopp’d away, with half their limbs, 251
In battle cut off, with half their limbs,251
Beg bitter bread through realms their valour saved,
Beg bitter bread in territories their courage protected,
If so the tyrant, or his minion, doom.
If that's the case, then the tyrant or his minion is finished.
Want and incurable disease (fell pair!)
Want and an incurable disease (fell pair!)
On hopeless multitudes remorseless seize
On desperate crowds mercilessly take
At once; and make a refuge of the grave.
At once; and turn the grave into a sanctuary.
How groaning hospitals eject their dead!
How do the moaning hospitals expel their dead!
What numbers groan for sad admission there!
What numbers cry out for a sad admission there!
What numbers, once in fortune’s lap high-fed,
What numbers, once pampered by fortune,
Solicit the cold hand of charity! 260
Solicit the cold hand of charity!260
To shock us more, solicit it in vain!
To shock us even more, ask for it in vain!
Ye silken sons of pleasure! since in pains
Ye silken sons of pleasure! since in pains
Ye rue more modish visits, visit here,
Ye rue more modish visits, visit here,
And breathe from your debauch: give, and reduce
And take a break from your indulgence: give, and cut back
Surfeit’s dominion o’er you: but so great
Surfeit's control over you: but so great
Your impudence, you blush at what is right.
Your boldness, you feel ashamed of what’s right.
Happy, did sorrow seize on such alone!
Happy, did sorrow only affect such people!
Not prudence can defend, or virtue save;
Not even prudence can defend, or virtue save;
Disease invades the chastest temperance;
Disease disrupts the purest restraint;
And punishment the guiltless; and alarm, 270
And punish the innocent; and fear,270
Through thickest shades pursues the fond of peace.
Through the densest shadows, the lover of peace continues on.
Man’s caution often into danger turns,
Man's caution often leads him into danger,
And his guard falling, crushes him to death.
And as his guard drops, it crushes him to death.
Not happiness itself makes good her name!
Not happiness itself makes her name good!
Our very wishes give us not our wish.
Our own desires often don't fulfill our needs.
How distant oft the thing we doat on most,
How far away often is the thing we love the most,
From that for which we doat, felicity!
From that which we love, happiness!
The smoothest course of nature has its pains;
The easiest path in life still comes with its struggles;
And truest friends, through error, wound our rest.
And true friends, through mistakes, disturb our peace.
Without misfortune, what calamities! 280
Without bad luck, what disasters!
And what hostilities, without a foe!
And what conflicts, without an enemy!
Nor are foes wanting to the best on earth.
Nor are there any lack of enemies for the best on earth.
But endless is the list of human ills,
But the list of human problems is endless,
And sighs might sooner fail, than cause to sigh.
And sighs might run out faster than the reasons to sigh.
A part how small of the terraqueous globe 285
A small part of the earth285
Is tenanted by man! the rest a waste,
Is occupied by man! everything else is a wasteland,
Rocks, deserts, frozen seas, and burning sands:
Rocks, deserts, frozen seas, and scorching sands:
Wild haunts of monsters, poisons, stings, and death.
Wild places filled with monsters, toxins, stings, and death.
Such is earth’s melancholy map! But, far
Such is earth’s sad map! But, far
More sad! this earth is a true map of man.
More sad! this earth is a true reflection of humanity.
So bounded are its haughty lord’s delights
So limited are the pleasures of its arrogant lord.
To woe’s wide empire; where deep troubles toss,
To love’s vast territory; where deep troubles swirl,
Loud sorrows howl, envenom’d passions bite, 293
Loud sorrows wail, poisoned passions sting,293
Ravenous calamities our vitals seize,
Ravenous disasters grip our lives,
And threatening fate wide opens to devour.
And threatening fate is wide open to consume.
What then am I, who sorrow for myself?
What am I, who grieve for myself?
In age, in infancy, from others’ aid
In age, in infancy, from others’ aid
Is all our hope; to teach us to be kind.
Is all our hope; to teach us to be kind.
That, nature’s first, last lesson to mankind;
That, nature's first and last lesson to humanity;
The selfish heart deserves the pain it feels; 300
The selfish heart gets the pain it deserves;300
More generous sorrow, while it sinks, exalts;
More generous sorrow, even as it weighs you down, uplifts you;
And conscious virtue mitigates the pang.
And being aware of one's virtue eases the pain.
Nor virtue, more than prudence, bids me give
Nor virtue, more than caution, pushes me to give
Swoln thought a second channel; who divide,
Swoln considered a secondary approach; those who separate,
They weaken, too, the torrent of their grief.
They also weaken, overwhelmed by the flood of their grief.
Take then, O world! thy much-indebted tear:
Take then, O world! your tear of great debt:
How sad a sight is human happiness,
How sad it is to see human happiness,
To those whose thought can pierce beyond an hour!
To those whose minds can think beyond an hour!
O thou! whate’er thou art, whose heart exults!
O you! Whatever you are, whose heart rejoices!
Would’st thou I should congratulate thy fate? 310
Would you like me to congratulate you on your fate?310
I know thou would’st; thy pride demands it from me.
I know you would; your pride requires it from me.
Let thy pride pardon, what thy nature needs,
Let your pride excuse what your nature requires,
The salutary censure of a friend.
The helpful criticism of a friend.
Thou happy wretch! by blindness thou art blest;
You happy wretch! By your blindness, you are blessed;
By dotage dandled to perpetual smiles.
By old age, babied into constant smiles.
Know, smiler! at thy peril art thou pleased;
Know this, smiler! You're risking danger if you’re feeling pleased;
Thy pleasure is the promise of thy pain.
Your pleasure is the guarantee of your pain.
Misfortune, like a creditor severe,
Misfortune, like a hard creditor,
But rises in demand for her delay; 319
But increases in demand for her delay; 319
She makes a scourge of past prosperity,
She turns past prosperity into a source of pain,
To sting thee more, and double thy distress.
To hurt you even more and increase your pain.
Lorenzo, Fortune makes her court to thee,
Lorenzo, luck is on your side,
Thy fond heart dances, while the syren sings.
Your loving heart dances while the siren sings.
Dear is thy welfare; think me not unkind;
Dear, I care about your well-being; don’t think of me as unkind;
I would not damp, but to secure thy joys.
I wouldn't hold you back, but rather make sure you enjoy yourself.
Think not that fear is sacred to the storm:
Think not that fear belongs only to the storm:
Stand on thy guard against the smiles of fate.
Stand on your guard against the smiles of fate.
Is Heaven tremendous in its frowns? Most sure;
Is Heaven really intense in its disapproval? Absolutely;
And in its favours formidable too:
And it’s pretty impressive too:
Its favours here are trials, not rewards; 330
Its favors here are tests, not rewards;330
A call to duty, not discharge from care;
A call to serve, not a release from responsibility;
And should alarm us, full as much as woes;
And it should alarm us just as much as our troubles;
Awake us to their cause, and consequence;
Awaken us to their cause and its consequences;
O’er our scann’d conduct give a jealous eye,
Over our observed behavior, watch closely,
And make us tremble, weigh’d with our desert;
And make us tremble, burdened with what we deserve;
Awe nature’s tumult, and chastise her joys,
Awe at nature's chaos, and criticize her pleasures,
Lest, while we clasp, we kill them; nay, invert
Lest we crush them while we hold on; no, let's turn.
To worse than simple misery, their charms.
To something worse than just misery, their charms.
Revolted joys, like foes in civil war,
Revolted joys, like enemies in a civil war,
Like bosom friendships to resentment sour’d, 340
Like close friendships that have turned sour with resentment,340
With rage envenom’d rise against our peace.
With anger poisoning our peace, we rise up.
Beware what earth calls happiness; beware
Beware what the world calls happiness; beware
All joys, but joys that never can expire.
All joys, but joys that will never fade away.
Who builds on less than an immortal base,
Who builds on anything less than an immortal foundation,
Fond as he seems, condemns his joys to death.
Fond as he appears, he ultimately dooms his joys to destruction.
Dissolved the charm; the disenchanted earth
Dissolved the charm; the disenchanted earth
Lost all her lustre. Where her glittering towers?
Lost all her shine. Where are her glittering towers?
Her golden mountains, where? all darken’d down
Her golden mountains, where? all darkened down
To naked waste; a dreary vale of tears: 350
To wasted space; a dull valley of sorrow:350
The great magician’s dead! Thou poor, pale piece
The great magician's dead! You poor, pale thing
Of outcast earth, in darkness! what a change 352
Of the outcast earth, in darkness! What a change!352
From yesterday! Thy darling hope so near
From yesterday! Your beloved hope is so close
(Long-labour’d prize!), O how ambition flush’d
(Long-labour’d prize!), Oh, how ambition ignited
Thy glowing cheek! ambition truly great,
Your glowing cheek! Ambition is truly great,
Of virtuous praise. Death’s subtle seed within
Of virtuous praise. Death’s subtle seed within
(Sly, treacherous miner!), working in the dark,
(Sly, treacherous miner!), working in the dark,
Smiled at thy well-concerted scheme, and beckon’d
Smiled at your well-planned scheme, and beckoned
The worm to riot on that rose so red,
The worm to riot on that bright red rose,
Unfaded ere it fell; one moment’s prey! 360
Unfaded before it fell; just a moment’s victim!360
Man’s foresight is conditionally wise;
A man's foresight is sometimes wise;
Oft, the first instant, its idea fair
Oftentimes, at first glance, its idea is beautiful.
To labouring thought is born. How dim our eye!
To hard work, thought is born. How blurry our vision!
The present moment terminates our sight;
The present moment ends our vision;
Clouds thick as those on doomsday, drown the next;
Clouds as thick as on doomsday, drown the next;
We penetrate, we prophesy in vain.
We dig deep, but our predictions are pointless.
Time is dealt out by particles; and each,
Time is divided into particles; and each,
Ere mingled with the streaming sands of life,
Ere mixed with the flowing sands of life,
By fate’s inviolable oath is sworn 370
By fate's unbreakable promise is sworn370
Deep silence, “where eternity begins.”
Deep silence, “where eternity starts.”
By nature’s law, what may be, may be now;
By nature’s law, what can happen, can happen now;
There’s no prerogative in human hours.
There’s no privilege in human time.
In human hearts what bolder thought can rise,
In human hearts, what bolder thought can emerge,
Than man’s presumption on to-morrow’s dawn!
Than man's assumption about tomorrow's dawn!
Where is to-morrow? In another world.
Where is tomorrow? In another world.
For numbers this is certain; the reverse
For numbers, this is certain; the reverse
Is sure to none; and yet on this perhaps,
Is sure to no one; and yet on this perhaps,
This peradventure, infamous for lies,
This chance, infamous for lies,
As on a rock of adamant, we build 380
As if on a rock solid as steel, we build380
Our mountain hopes; spin out eternal schemes,
Our mountain dreams; create endless plans,
As we the fatal sisters could out-spin,
As we, the doomed sisters, could out-spin,
And, big with life’s futurities, expire.
And, full of life's possibilities, die.
Not even Philander had bespoke his shroud;
Not even Philander had ordered his burial cloth;
Nor had he cause; a warning was denied. 385
Nor did he have a reason; a warning was not given.385
How many fall as sudden, not as safe!
How many fall suddenly, not as safely!
As sudden, though for years admonish’d home.
As suddenly, though warned about it for years, it came home.
Of human ills the last extreme beware,
Of human troubles, watch out for the worst.
Beware, Lorenzo! a slow sudden death.
Beware, Lorenzo! a slow, unexpected death.
How dreadful that deliberate surprise!
What a terrible deliberate surprise!
Be wise to-day; ’tis madness to defer;
Be wise today; it's madness to wait;
Next day the fatal precedent will plead; 392
Next day the deadly example will argue; 392
Thus on, till wisdom is push’d out of life.
Thus, from then on, wisdom is pushed out of life.
Procrastination is the thief of time;
Procrastination wastes time;
Year after year it steals, till all are fled,
Year after year it takes away, until everyone is gone,
And to the mercies of a moment leaves
And to the kindness of a moment, it leaves
The vast concerns of an eternal scene.
The huge worries of a never-ending situation.
If not so frequent, would not this be strange?
If it didn't happen so often, wouldn't that be strange?
That ’tis so frequent, this is stranger still.
That it's so common, this is even stranger.
Of man’s miraculous mistakes, this bears 400
Of man's amazing mistakes, this stands out400
The palm, “That all men are about to live,”
The palm, “That everyone is about to live,”
For ever on the brink of being born.
For always on the verge of being born.
All pay themselves the compliment to think
All of them flatter themselves by thinking
They one day shall not drivel: and their pride
They will one day stop rambling: and their pride
On this reversion takes up ready praise;
On this comeback, it easily receives praise;
At least, their own; their future selves applaud;
At the very least, their future selves cheer for them;
How excellent that life they ne’er will lead!
How great the life they’ll never live!
Time lodged in their own hands is folly’s vails;[5]
Time held in their own hands is foolishness's disguise;[5]
That lodged in fate’s, to wisdom they consign;
That is left to fate; they turn to wisdom.
The thing they can’t but purpose, they postpone; 410
The thing they can’t help but plan, they delay;410
’Tis not in folly, not to scorn a fool;
'Tis not foolish to not look down on a fool;
And scarce in human wisdom to do more.
And it's rare in human wisdom to do any more.
All promise is poor dilatory man,
All promises are just empty words from a slow, procrastinating person,
And that through every stage: when young, indeed,
And that through every stage: when young, for sure,
In full content we, sometimes, nobly rest,
In complete satisfaction, we sometimes rest nobly,
Unanxious for ourselves; and only wish,
Unworried about ourselves; we just wish,
As duteous sons, our fathers were more wise.
As obedient sons, our fathers were wiser.
At thirty, man suspects himself a fool;
At thirty, a man starts to think of himself as a fool;
Knows it at forty, and reforms his plan; 419
Knows it at forty and changes his approach;419
At fifty, chides his infamous delay,
At fifty, he criticizes his notorious procrastination,
Pushes his prudent purpose to resolve;
Pushes his careful plan to solve;
In all the magnanimity of thought
In all the generosity of thought
Resolves; and re-resolves; then dies the same.
Resolves, and re-resolves, then dies the same.
And why? Because he thinks himself immortal.
And why? Because he believes he's invincible.
All men think all men mortal, but themselves:
All people believe that everyone else is mortal, except for themselves:
Themselves, when some alarming shock of fate
Themselves, when some shocking twist of fate
Strikes through their wounded hearts the sudden dread;
Strikes through their wounded hearts the sudden dread;
But their hearts wounded, like the wounded air,
But their hearts were hurt, like the damaged air,
Soon close; where pass’d the shaft, no trace is found.
Soon nearby; where the arrow passed, no trace is found.
As from the wing no scar the sky retains; 430
As from the wing, no scar remains in the sky;
The parted wave no furrow from the keel;
The split wave leaves no trace from the boat's wake;
So dies in human hearts the thought of death.
So the idea of death fades in human hearts.
Even with the tender tear which nature sheds
Even with the gentle tear that nature sheds
O’er those we love, we drop it in their grave.
Over those we love, we drop it in their grave.
Can I forget Philander? That were strange!
Can I forget Philander? That would be strange!
O my full heart!——But should I give it vent,
O my full heart! —But if I let it out,
The longest night, though longer far, would fail,
The longest night, even though it is much longer, would still fall short,
And the lark listen to my midnight song.
And the lark listens to my midnight song.
The sprightly lark’s shrill matin wakes the morn;
The cheerful lark's loud morning song wakes up the day;
Grief’s sharpest thorn hard pressing on my breast, 440
Grief's sharpest thorn digging into my chest,440
I strive, with wakeful melody, to cheer
I work hard, with lively music, to bring joy
The sullen gloom, sweet Philomel! like thee,
The dark sadness, sweet Philomel! just like you,
And call the stars to listen: every star
And call the stars to listen: every star
Is deaf to mine, enamour’d of thy lay.
Is deaf to my voice, in love with your song.
Yet be not vain; there are, who thine excel,
Yet don't be arrogant; there are those who are better than you,
And charm through distant ages: wrapt in shade,
And charm through distant ages: wrapped in shade,
Prisoner of darkness! to the silent hours,
Prisoner of darkness! during the quiet hours,
How often I repeat their rage divine,
How often I echo their holy anger,
To lull my griefs, and steal my heart from woe!
To ease my sadness and take my heart away from sorrow!
I roll their raptures, but not catch their fire. 450
I experience their joy, but don't feel their passion.450
Or, Milton! thee; ah, could I reach your strain! 452
Or, Milton! If only I could capture your style!452
Man too he sung: immortal man I sing;
Man too he sang: immortal man I sing;
Oft bursts my song beyond the bounds of life;
Oftentimes my song breaks free from the limits of life;
What, now, but immortality, can please?
What else, now, but immortality, can make us happy?
O had he press’d his theme, pursued the track,
O had he pressed his theme, followed the path,
Which opens out of darkness into day!
Which opens up from darkness into daylight!
O had he, mounted on his wing of fire,
O had he, riding on his fiery wings,
Soar’d where I sink, and sung immortal man! 460
Soared where I sink, and sang of immortal man!460
How had it bless’d mankind, and rescued me!
How has it blessed humanity and saved me!
ON
TIME, DEATH, AND FRIENDSHIP.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
THE EARL OF WILMINGTON.
TO THE HONORABLE
THE EARL OF WILMINGTON.
NIGHT SECOND.
Night two.
ON TIME, DEATH, AND FRIENDSHIP.
“When the cock crew, he wept”—smote by that eye
“When the rooster crowed, he cried”—struck by that gaze
Which looks on me, on all: that Power, who bids
Which looks at me, at everyone: that Power, who commands
This midnight sentinel, with clarion shrill
This midnight guard, with a loud and piercing call
(Emblem of that which shall awake the dead),
(Emblem of what will bring the dead to life),
Rouse souls from slumber, into thoughts of heaven.
Rouse souls from sleep, into thoughts of heaven.
Shall I too weep? Where then is fortitude?
Shall I cry too? Then where is strength?
And, fortitude abandon’d, where is man?
And without strength, where is a person?
I know the terms on which he sees the light;
I know the reasons he sees things clearly;
He that is born, is listed; life is war;
He who is born is enlisted; life is a battle;
Eternal war with woe. Who bears it best, 10
Eternal war with sadness. Who handles it best,10
Deserves it least.—On other themes I’ll dwell.
Deserves it least.—I'll focus on other topics.
Lorenzo! let me turn my thoughts on thee,
Lorenzo! let me focus my thoughts on you,
And thine, on themes may profit; profit there,
And yours, on themes may benefit; benefit there,
Where most thy need; themes, too, the genuine growth
Wherever you need it the most; themes, too, the real growth
Of dear Philander’s dust. He thus, though dead,
Of dear Philander's dust. He thus, though dead,
May still befriend—what themes? Time’s wondrous price,
May still befriend—what themes? Time’s amazing cost,
Death, friendship, and Philander’s final scene.
Death, friendship, and Philander's last scene.
So could I touch these themes, as might obtain
So could I explore these themes, as might be possible.
Thine ear, nor leave thy heart quite disengaged,
Thy ear, nor leave your heart completely detached,
The good deed would delight me; half impress 20
The good deed would make me happy; half impress20
On my dark cloud an Iris; and from grief
On my dark cloud, a rainbow; and from grief
Call glory.—Dost thou mourn Philander’s fate?
Call glory.—Do you mourn Philander’s fate?
I know thou say’st it: says thy life the same?
I know you say it: does your life say the same?
He mourns the dead, who lives as they desire.
He grieves for those who have passed away, while they live as they choose.
Where is that thrift, that avarice of time,
Where is that thrift, that greed for time,
(O glorious avarice!) thought of death inspires,
(O glorious greed!) the thought of death inspires,
As rumour’d robberies endear our gold?
As rumored robberies make our wealth even more valuable?
O time! than gold more sacred; more a load
O time! more sacred than gold; more a burden
Than lead to fools; and fools reputed wise.
Than lead to fools; and fools regarded as wise.
What moment granted man without account? 30
What moment gave man without measure?30
What years are squander’d, wisdom’s debt unpaid!
What years are wasted, with wisdom's debt still unpaid!
Our wealth in days, all due to that discharge.
Our wealth these days is all thanks to that discharge.
Haste, haste, he lies in wait, he’s at the door,
Hurry, hurry, he’s waiting, he’s at the door,
Insidious Death! should his strong hand arrest,
Insidious death! What if his strong hand stops,
No composition sets the prisoner free.
No agreement sets the prisoner free.
Eternity’s inexorable chain
Eternity's unbreakable chain
Fast binds; and vengeance claims the full arrear.
Fast binds; and revenge demands what is owed.
How late I shudder’d on the brink! how late
How long I hesitated on the edge! How long
Life call’d for her last refuge in despair!
Life called for her final refuge in despair!
That time is mine, O Mead! to thee I owe; 40
That time belongs to me, O Mead! I owe it to you;40
Fain would I pay thee with eternity.
I would gladly repay you with forever.
But ill my genius answers my desire;
But my talent doesn't meet my expectations;
My sickly song is mortal, past thy cure.
My sickly song is doomed, beyond your healing.
Accept the will;—that dies not with my strain.
Accept the will;—that doesn't die with my effort.
For what calls thy disease, Lorenzo? not
For what is causing your illness, Lorenzo?
For Esculapian, but for moral aid.
For medical help, but for moral support.
Thou think’st it folly to be wise too soon.
You think it's foolish to be too wise too soon.
Youth is not rich in time, it may be poor;
Youth doesn’t have much time; it can feel limited.
Part with it as with money, sparing; pay
Part with it like you would with money, cautiously; pay
No moment, but in purchase of its worth; 50
No moment, but in buying its value; 50
And what its worth, ask death-beds; they can tell.
And for what it's worth, ask people on their deathbeds; they can tell.
Part with it as with life, reluctant; big
Part with it as you would with life, hesitantly; significant.
With holy hope of nobler time to come;
With hopeful anticipation of a better future;
Time higher aim’d, still nearer the great mark 54
Time aimed higher, still getting closer to the great target54
Of men and angels; virtue more divine.
Of men and angels; a more divine virtue.
Is this our duty, wisdom, glory, gain?
Is this our responsibility, knowledge, honor, benefit?
(These Heaven benign in vital union binds)
(These heavens kindly unite in essential harmony)
And sport we like the natives of the bough,
And we enjoy sports just like the locals in the trees,
When vernal suns inspire? Amusement reigns
When spring suns shine? Fun takes over.
Man’s great demand: to trifle, is to live:
Man's biggest desire: to play around, is to live:
And is it then a trifle, too, to die?
And is it just a small thing, too, to die?
Thou say’st I preach, Lorenzo! ’tis confess’d. 62
You say I preach, Lorenzo! It's true.62
What, if for once, I preach thee quite awake?
What if, for once, I really talk to you while you're fully awake?
Who wants amusement in the flame of battle?
Who wants entertainment in the heat of battle?
Is it not treason to the soul immortal,
Isn't it a betrayal to the immortal soul,
Her foes in arms, eternity the prize?
Her enemies in battle, eternity the reward?
Will toys amuse, when medicines cannot cure?
Will toys entertain when medicines can't heal?
When spirits ebb, when life’s enchanting scenes
When spirits dip, when life’s captivating moments
Their lustre lose, and lessen in our sight,
Their shine fades and diminishes before our eyes,
As lands, and cities with their glittering spires, 70
As lands and cities with their shining towers, 70
To the poor shatter’d bark, by sudden storm
To the poor broken boat, caught in a sudden storm
Thrown off to sea, and soon to perish there?
Thrown out to sea, and about to die there?
Will toys amuse? No: thrones will then be toys,
Will toys entertain? No: thrones will then be toys,
And earth and skies seem dust upon the scale.
And the earth and sky look like dust on the scale.
Redeem we time?—its loss we dearly buy.
Redeem we time?—its loss comes at a high cost.
What pleads Lorenzo for his high-prized sports?
What is Lorenzo asking for his highly valued games?
He pleads time’s numerous blanks; he loudly pleads
He argues about the many gaps in time; he insists loudly
The straw-like trifles on life’s common stream.
The insignificant little things in the everyday flow of life.
From whom those blanks and trifles, but from thee?
From whom would those empty things and little details come, if not from you?
No blank, no trifle, nature made, or meant. 80
No empty space, no insignificant thing, nature created or intended.80
Virtue, or purposed virtue, still be thine;
Virtue, or intended virtue, still belongs to you;
This cancels thy complaint at once, this leaves
This cancels your complaint right away, this leaves
In act no trifle, and no blank in time.
In action, nothing insignificant, and no wasted time.
This greatens, fills, immortalizes all;
This elevates, fills, immortalizes all;
This, the bless’d art of turning all to gold;
This, the blessed skill of turning everything into gold;
This, the good heart’s prerogative to raise
This, the privilege of a good heart to uplift
A royal tribute from the poorest hours;
A royal tribute from the darkest times;
Immense revenue! every moment pays. 88
Huge profits! Every moment counts. 88
If nothing more than purpose in thy power;
If you only have purpose in your power;
Thy purpose firm, is equal to the deed:
Your firm purpose is equal to the action:
Who does the best his circumstance allows,
Who does the best they can given their circumstances,
Does well, acts nobly; angels could no more.
Does well, acts nobly; angels couldn't do better.
Our outward act, indeed, admits restraint;
Our outward actions, indeed, require self-control;
’Tis not in things o’er thought to domineer;
It’s not in things overly considered to control;
Guard well thy thought; our thoughts are heard in heaven.
Take care of your thoughts; our thoughts are heard in heaven.
On all-important time, through every age,
On all-important time, through every age,
Though much, and warm, the wise have urged; the man
Though the wise have urged a lot, and passionately; the man
Is yet unborn, who duly weighs an hour.
Is yet to be born, who properly values an hour.
“I’ve lost a day”—the prince who nobly cried
“I’ve lost a day”—the prince who nobly said
Had been an emperor without his crown; 100
Had been an emperor without his crown;100
Of Rome? say, rather, lord of human race:
Of Rome? Rather, say, lord of the human race:
He spoke, as if deputed by mankind.
He spoke as if appointed by humanity.
So should all speak; so reason speaks in all:
So everyone should speak; that's how reason speaks in everyone:
From the soft whispers of that God in man,
From the gentle whispers of that God within humanity,
Why fly to folly, why to phrensy fly,
Why rush into foolishness, why soar into madness,
For rescue from the blessing we possess?
For rescue from the blessing we have?
Time the supreme!—Time is eternity;
Time is everything!—Time is eternal;
Pregnant with all eternity can give;
Pregnant with everything eternity can offer;
Pregnant with all that makes archangels smile.
Pregnant with everything that makes archangels smile.
Who murders time, he crushes in the birth 110
Whoever wastes time crushes it in its infancy.
A power ethereal, only not adored.
A power that's almost otherworldly, just not worshipped.
Ah! how unjust to Nature, and himself,
Ah! how unfair to Nature, and to himself,
Is thoughtless, thankless, inconsistent man!
He's a thoughtless, ungrateful, unreliable man!
Like children babbling nonsense in their sports,
Like kids babbling nonsense while playing,
We censure Nature for a span too short;
We criticize Nature for being too brief;
That span too short, we tax as tedious too;
That period is too short, we find it tedious as well;
Torture invention, all expedients tire,
Torture invention, all methods exhaust,
To lash the lingering moments into speed,
To turn the lingering moments into speed,
And whirl us (happy riddance!) from ourselves.
And spin us away (good riddance!) from ourselves.
Art, brainless Art! our furious charioteer 120
Art, mindless Art! our raging charioteer120
(For Nature’s voice unstifled would recall),
(For Nature’s voice unfiltered would remind),
Drives headlong towards the precipice of death; 122
Drives straight toward the edge of death;122
Death, most our dread; death thus more dreadful made:
Death, our greatest fear; death made even more terrifying:
Oh, what a riddle of absurdity!
Oh, what a puzzle of nonsense!
Leisure is pain; takes off our chariot wheels;
Leisure is painful; it slows us down.
How heavily we drag the load of life!
How heavily we carry the burden of life!
Blest leisure is our curse; like that of Cain,
Blest leisure is our curse; like that of Cain,
It makes us wander; wander earth around,
It makes us roam; roam the earth around,
To fly that tyrant, thought. As Atlas groan’d
To bring down that tyrant, thought. As Atlas groaned
The world beneath, we groan beneath an hour. 130
The world below, we struggle under an hour.130
We cry for mercy to the next amusement;
We beg for mercy from the next entertainment;
The next amusement mortgages our fields;
The next entertainment takes over our fields;
Slight inconvenience! prisons hardly frown,
Minor inconvenience! prisons rarely frown,
From hateful time if prisons set us free.
From the time of hatred, if prisons set us free.
Yet when Death kindly tenders us relief,
Yet when Death kindly offers us relief,
We call him cruel; years to moments shrink,
We call him cruel; years turn into moments,
Ages to years. The telescope is turn’d.
Ages to years. The telescope is turned.
To man’s false optics (from his folly false),
To man's deceptive view (due to his foolishness),
Time, in advance, behind him hides his wings,
Time, ahead of him, conceals his wings.
And seems to creep, decrepit with his age; 140
And seems to creep, worn out by his age;140
Behold him, when pass’d by; what then is seen,
Behold him when he walks by; what is seen then,
But his broad pinions swifter than the winds?
But his wide wings are faster than the winds?
And all mankind, in contradiction strong,
And all humanity, in strong contradiction,
Rueful, aghast! cry out on his career.
Rueful and shocked! They cry out about his career.
Leave to thy foes these errors and these ills;
Leave these mistakes and troubles to your enemies;
To Nature just, their cause and cure explore.
To nature, just investigate their cause and cure.
Not short Heaven’s bounty, boundless our expence;
Not lacking in Heaven's generosity, our spending knows no bounds;
No niggard, Nature; men are prodigals.
No stingy person, Nature; people are wasteful.
We waste, not use our time; we breathe, not live.
We waste our time instead of using it; we breathe but don’t really live.
Time wasted is existence, used is life. 150
Time wasted is just existence; time used is life.150
And bare existence, man, to live ordain’d,
And just existing, man, is what we’re meant to do,
Wrings, and oppresses with enormous weight.
Wrings and burdens with a massive weight.
And why? since time was given for use, not waste,
And why? Since time was meant to be used, not wasted,
Enjoin’d to fly; with tempest, tide, and stars,
Enjoined to escape, with storm, current, and constellations,
To keep his speed, nor ever wait for man;
To maintain his speed and never wait for anyone;
Time’s use was doom’d a pleasure: waste, a pain; 156
Time’s use was destined for enjoyment: waste, a struggle;156
That man might feel his error, if unseen:
That man might realize his mistake, even if it's not obvious:
And, feeling, fly to labour for his cure;
And, feeling, rush to work for his healing;
Not, blundering, split on idleness for ease.
Not, stumbling, caught up in idleness for comfort.
Life’s cares are comforts; such by Heaven design’d;
Life’s worries are blessings, meant to be that way by Heaven;
He that has none, must make them, or be wretched.
Those who have none must create them, or they will be miserable.
Cares are employments; and without employ
Cares are jobs; and without work
The soul is on a rack; the rack of rest, 163
The soul is in a bind; the bind of rest,163
To souls most adverse; action all their joy.
To souls that are most resistant; action is their only joy.
Here then, the riddle, mark’d above, unfolds;
Here, then, the riddle mentioned above unfolds;
Then time turns torment, when man turns a fool.
Then time becomes torment when a person acts foolishly.
We rave, we wrestle, with great Nature’s plan;
We celebrate and struggle with the grand design of Nature;
We thwart the Deity; and ’tis decreed,
We challenge the Deity, and it’s decided,
Who thwart his will shall contradict their own.
Who goes against his wishes will be going against their own.
Hence our unnatural quarrels with ourselves; 170
Hence our unnatural arguments with ourselves;170
Our thoughts at enmity; our bosom-broils;
Our thoughts at odds; our inner conflicts;
We push Time from us, and we wish him back;
We push Time away from us, yet we wish to have him back;
Lavish of lustrums, and yet fond of life;
Lavish with years, yet loving life;
Life we think long, and short; death seek, and shun;
Life feels both long and short; we seek death, yet try to avoid it;
Body and soul, like peevish man and wife,
Body and soul, like a grumpy couple,
United jar, and yet are loth to part.
United we are, yet reluctant to separate.
Oh the dark days of vanity! while here,
Oh, the dark days of vanity! While here,
How tasteless! and how terrible, when gone!
How dull! And how awful when it's gone!
Gone! they ne’er go; when past, they haunt us still;
Gone! They never really leave; when they're gone, they still haunt us.
The spirit walks of every day deceased; 180
The spirit walks of everyone who has passed away; 180
And smiles an angel, or a fury frowns.
And an angel smiles, or a fury scowls.
Nor death, nor life delight us. If time past,
Nor death, nor life amuse us. If time gone,
And time possess’d, both pain us, what can please?
And time affects us both with pain, what can bring us pleasure?
That which the Deity to please ordain’d,
That which the God ordained to please,
Time used. The man who consecrates his hours
Time used. The man who dedicates his hours
By vigorous effort, and an honest aim,
By putting in hard work and having a sincere goal,
At once he draws the sting of life and death;
At once he removes the pain of life and death;
He walks with Nature; and her paths are peace.
He walks with nature, and her paths are peaceful.
Our error’s cause and cure are seen: see next
Our mistake's cause and solution are clear: see next
Time’s nature, origin, importance, speed; 190
Time’s nature, origin, significance, speed;
And thy great gain from urging his career.—
And your big reward from pushing his career.
All-sensual man, because untouch’d, unseen,
All-sensory man, because untouched, unseen,
He looks on time as nothing. Nothing else
He sees time as meaningless. Nothing else.
Is truly man’s; ’tis fortune’s.—Time’s a god.
Is truly man's; it's fortune's.—Time's a god.
Hast thou ne’er heard of Time’s omnipotence?
Have you never heard of Time's power?
For, or against, what wonders he can do,
For or against, look at the amazing things he can do,
And will? To stand blank neuter he disdains.
And will he? He refuses to just stand there doing nothing.
Not on those terms was Time (Heaven’s stranger!) sent
Not under those conditions was Time (Heaven’s stranger!) sent
On his important embassy to man.
On his important mission to humanity.
Lorenzo! no: on the long-destined hour, 200
Lorenzo! No: on the long-expected hour,200
From everlasting ages growing ripe,
Growing ripe through the ages,
That memorable hour of wondrous birth,
That unforgettable moment of amazing creation,
When the Dread Sire, on emanation bent,
When the Dread Lord, intent on creating,
And big with Nature, rising in his might,
And strong with Nature, growing in his power,
Call’d forth creation (for then Time was born),
Call'd forth creation (for then Time was born),
By Godhead streaming through a thousand worlds;
By the divine essence flowing through a thousand worlds;
Not on those terms, from the great days of heaven,
Not on those terms, from the great days of heaven,
From old Eternity’s mysterious orb,
From old Eternity’s mysterious sphere,
Was Time cut off, and cast beneath the skies;
Was Time cut off and thrown beneath the skies;
The skies, which watch him in his new abode, 210
The skies, which observe him in his new home,210
Measuring his motions by revolving spheres;
Measuring his movements by rotating spheres;
That horologe machinery divine.
That divine clockwork.
Hours, days, and months, and years, his children play,
Hours, days, months, and years, his kids play,
Like numerous wings around him, as he flies:
Like many wings around him as he flies:
Or, rather, as unequal plumes, they shape
Or, rather, like uneven feathers, they form
His ample pinions, swift as darted flame,
His wide wings, quick as a flash of flame,
To gain his goal, to reach his ancient rest,
To achieve his goal, to find his long-awaited peace,
And join anew Eternity his sire;
And once again, join Eternity, his father;
In his immutability to nest,
In his refusal to nest,
When worlds, that count his circles now, unhinged 220
When worlds that matter to him now are thrown into chaos220
(Fate the loud signal sounding), headlong rush
(Fate the loud signal sounding), headlong rush
To timeless night and chaos, whence they rose.
To timeless night and chaos, from which they emerged.
Why spur the speedy? why with levities
Why encourage the fast? Why with frivolities?
New wing thy short, short day’s too rapid flight? 224
New wing, your brief, brief day flies by too quickly?224
Know’st thou, or what thou dost, or what is done?
Do you know what you're doing or what has been done?
Man flies from time, and time from man; too soon
Man flies from time, and time from man; too soon
In sad divorce this double flight must end:
In a sad divorce, this double flight must come to an end:
And then where are we? where, Lorenzo! then
And then where are we? Where, Lorenzo! Then
Thy sports? thy pomps?—I grant thee, in a state
Thy sports? thy pomps?—I grant you, in a state
Not unambitious; in the ruffled shroud,
Not lacking in ambition; in the tousled covering,
Thy Parian tomb’s triumphant arch beneath.
Your Parian tomb's triumphant arch below.
Has Death his fopperies? Then well may life 232
Has Death his quirks? Then life may well
Put on her plume, and in her rainbow shine.
Put on her feather and in her vibrant glow.
Ye well-array’d! ye lilies of our land!
You are well-dressed! You lilies of our land!
Ye lilies male! who neither toil nor spin
Ye lilies male! who neither toil nor spin
(As sister lilies might), if not so wise
(As sister lilies might), if not so wise
As Solomon, more sumptuous to the sight!
As Solomon, even more stunning to look at!
Ye delicate! who nothing can support,
You delicate one! Who can’t withstand anything,
Yourselves most insupportable! for whom
You all are unbearable! For whom
The winter rose must blow, the sun put on 240
The winter rose must bloom, the sun shines.
A brighter beam in Leo; silky-soft
A brighter light in Leo; silky-soft
Favonius breathe still softer, or be chid;
Favonius, breathe even softer, or be scolded;
And other worlds send odours, sauce, and song,
And other worlds send scents, flavor, and music,
And robes, and notions, framed in foreign looms!
And robes and ideas made in foreign factories!
O ye Lorenzos of our age! who deem
O you Lorenzos of our time! who think
One moment unamused, a misery
One moment bored, a misery
Not made for feeble man! who call aloud
Not made for weak people! who shout out
For every bauble drivell’d o’er by sense;
For every trinket wasted on mere feeling;
For rattles, and conceits of every cast,
For distractions and pretensions of every kind,
For change of follies, and relays of joy, 250
For changing mistakes and waves of happiness,250
To drag your patient through the tedious length
To drag your patient through the boring stretch
Of a short winter’s day—say, sages! say,
Of a short winter's day—come on, seriously! come on,
Wit’s oracles! say, dreamers of gay dreams!
Wit’s oracles! say, dreamers of bright dreams!
How will you weather an eternal night,
How will you get through an endless night,
Where such expedients fail?
Where do these solutions fail?
O treacherous Conscience! while she seems to sleep
O treacherous Conscience! while she appears to be sleeping
On rose and myrtle, lull’d with syren song;
On roses and myrtles, lulled by a siren's song;
While she seems, nodding o’er her charge, to drop 258
While she appears, nodding over her duty, to fall asleep258
On headlong appetite the slacken’d rein,
On wild desire the loosened reins,
And give us up to licence, unrecall’d,
And grant us to be licensed, without being able to take it back,
Unmark’d;—see, from behind her secret stand,
Unmarked;—look, from behind her hidden spot,
The sly informer minutes every fault,
The sneaky informant notes down every mistake,
And her dread diary with horror fills.
And her terrifying diary is filled with fear.
Not the gross act alone employs her pen;
Not just the crude act drives her to write;
She reconnoitres fancy’s airy band,
She surveys fancy's airy band,
A watchful foe! the formidable spy,
A vigilant enemy! The powerful spy,
Listening, o’erhears the whispers of our camp:
Listening, overhears the whispers of our camp:
Our dawning purposes of heart explores,
Our emerging intentions of the heart explore,
And steals our embryos of iniquity.
And takes away our embryos of wrongdoing.
As all-rapacious usurers conceal 270
As greedy loan sharks hide
Their doomsday-book from all-consuming heirs;
Their doomsday book from greedy heirs;
Thus, with indulgence most severe, she treats
Thus, with the harshest indulgence, she treats
Us spendthrifts of inestimable time;
We spendthrifts of priceless time;
Unnoted, notes each moment misapplied;
Unnoticed, notes every moment wasted;
In leaves more durable than leaves of brass,
In leaves stronger than brass leaves,
Writes our whole history; which Death shall read
Writes our entire history; which Death will read
In every pale delinquent’s private ear;
In every pale criminal’s private ear;
And Judgment publish; publish to more worlds
And judgment is published; publish to more worlds.
Than this; and endless age in groans resound.
Than this; and endless ages echo with groans.
Lorenzo, such that sleeper in thy breast! 280
Lorenzo, what a sleeper lies in your heart!280
Such is her slumber; and her vengeance such
Such is her sleep; and her revenge is the same
For slighted counsel; such thy future peace!
For ignored advice; such will be your future peace!
And think’st thou still thou canst be wise too soon?
And do you still think you can be wise too soon?
But why on Time so lavish is my song?
But why is my song so extravagant about Time?
On this great theme kind Nature keeps a school,
On this important topic, kind Nature runs a school,
To teach her sons herself. Each night we die,
To teach her sons herself. Each night we die,
Each morn are born anew: each day, a life!
Each morning brings a fresh start: every day is a new life!
And shall we kill each day? If trifling kills;
And should we waste each day? If small things can kill;
Sure vice must butcher. Oh, what heaps of slain
Surely, vice must kill. Oh, what mountains of the dead!
Cry out for vengeance on us! Time destroy’d 290
Cry out for revenge on us! Time has destroyed
Is suicide, where more than blood is spilt.
Is suicide, where more than blood is shed.
Time flies, Death urges, knells call, Heaven invites, 292
Time flies, Death pushes us on, bells toll, Heaven beckons,292
Hell threatens: all exerts; in effort, all;
Hell threatens: everyone is pushing; in their effort, everyone;
More than creation labours!—labours more?
More than just creative work!
And is there in creation what, amidst
And is there in creation what, amidst
This tumult universal, wing’d despatch,
This universal turmoil, swift message,
And ardent energy, supinely yawns?—
And passionate energy, lazily yawns?—
Man sleeps; and man alone; and man, whose fate,
Man sleeps; and man is alone; and man, whose fate,
Fate irreversible, entire, extreme,
Fate is final, total, extreme.
Endless, hair-hung, breeze-shaken, o’er the gulf 300
Endless, hair-tossed, breeze-blown, over the gulf300
A moment trembles; drops! and man, for whom
A moment shakes; drops! and man, for whom
All else is in alarm! man, the sole cause
All else is in turmoil! Man, the one and only reason
Of this surrounding storm! and yet he sleeps,
Of this surrounding storm! And yet he sleeps,
As the storm rock’d to rest.—Throw years away?
As the storm calmed down. —Forget the years?
Throw empires, and be blameless. Moments seize;
Throw empires away, and be guilt-free. Seize the moments;
Heaven’s on their wing: a moment we may wish,
Heaven’s on their wing: a moment we may wish,
When worlds want wealth to buy. Bid Day stand still,
When worlds desire wealth to purchase. Bid Day remains unchanged,
Bid him drive back his car, and re-import
Bid him drive back his car and bring it back.
The period past, re-give the given hour.
The time has passed, so return the given hour.
Lorenzo, more than miracles we want; 310
Lorenzo, we want more than miracles;
Lorenzo—O for yesterdays to come!
Lorenzo—Oh for future yesterdays!
Such is the language of the man awake;
Such is the way of the man who is awake;
His ardour such, for what oppresses thee.
His passion is so strong for what troubles you.
And is his ardour vain, Lorenzo? No;
And is his passion pointless, Lorenzo? No;
That more than miracle the gods indulge;
That’s more than a miracle that the gods allow;
To-day is yesterday return’d; return’d
Today is yesterday returned; returned
Full power’d to cancel, expiate, raise, adorn,
Full power to cancel, atone for, elevate, embellish,
And reinstate us on the rock of peace.
And put us back on the solid ground of peace.
Let it not share its predecessor’s fate;
Let it not share the same fate as its predecessor;
Nor, like its elder sisters, die a fool. 320
Nor, like its older sisters, die a fool.320
Shall it evaporate in fume? fly off
Shall it disappear in smoke? fly away
Fuliginous, and stain us deeper still?
Fuliginous, and stain us even further?
Shall we be poorer for the plenty pour’d?
Shall we be worse off because of the abundance given?
More wretched for the clemencies of Heaven?
More miserable for the blessings of Heaven?
Where shall I find him? Angels! tell me where.
Where can I find him? Angels! Please tell me where.
You know him: he is near you: point him out: 326
You know him: he's close by: point him out:326
Shall I see glories beaming from his brow?
Will I see glories shining from his brow?
Or trace his footsteps by the rising flowers?
Or follow his path by the blooming flowers?
Your golden wings, now hovering o’er him, shed
Your golden wings, now hovering over him, shed
Protection; now, are waving in applause
Protection; now, are cheering in applause
To that bless’d son of foresight! lord of fate!
To that blessed son of foresight! Lord of destiny!
That awful independent on to-morrow!
That terrible independent on tomorrow!
Whose work is done; who triumphs in the past; 333
Whose work is finished; who succeeds in the past;333
Whose yesterdays look backwards with a smile;
Whose past is recalled with a smile;
Nor, like the Parthian, wound him as they fly;
Nor do they, like the Parthian, hurt him as they flee;
That common but opprobrious lot! past hours,
That common but disgraceful situation! past hours,
If not by guilt, yet wound us by their flight,
If not by guilt, they still hurt us by leaving.
If folly bounds our prospect by the grave,
If foolishness limits our view to just the grave,
All feeling of futurity benumb’d;
All sense of the future frozen;
All god-like passion for eternals quench’d; 340
All god-like passion for eternity is extinguished; 340
All relish of realities expired;
All enjoyment of realities faded;
Renounced all correspondence with the skies;
Renounced all communication with the skies;
Our freedom chain’d; quite wingless our desire;
Our freedom is restricted; our desire is completely grounded;
In sense dark-prison’d all that ought to soar;
In a way, trapped in a dark prison are all the things that should be free to fly;
Prone to the centre; crawling in the dust;
Prone to the center; crawling in the dirt;
Dismounted every great and glorious aim;
Dismounted every great and glorious aim;
Embruted every faculty divine;
Hindered every divine ability;
Heart-buried in the rubbish of the world.
Heart buried in the garbage of the world.
The world, that gulf of souls, immortal souls,
The world, that vast sea of souls, eternal souls,
Souls elevate, angelic, wing’d with fire 350
Souls rise, angelic, wings of fire350
To reach the distant skies, and triumph there
To reach the distant skies and succeed there
On thrones, which shall not mourn their masters changed,
On thrones that won’t grieve for their changed rulers,
Though we from earth; ethereal, they that fell.
Though we are from earth; they that fell are ethereal.
Such veneration due, O man, to man.
Such respect is owed, O human, to humanity.
Who venerate themselves, the world despise.
Those who worship themselves are looked down upon by the world.
For what, gay friend! is this escutcheon’d world,
For what, my gay friend! is this shielded world,
Which hangs out death in one eternal night?
Which hangs out death in one endless night?
A night, that glooms us in the noontide ray,
A night that casts a shadow over the midday light,
And wraps our thought, at banquets, in the shroud.
And wraps our thoughts, at parties, in a cover.
Life’s little stage is a small eminence, 360
Life’s little stage is a small rise,360°
Inch-high the grave above; that home of man,
Inch-high the grave above; that home of man,
Where dwells the multitude: we gaze around;
Where the crowd is: we look around;
We read their monuments; we sigh; and while
We read their monuments; we sigh; and while
We sigh, we sink; and are what we deplored;
We sigh, we sink; and we become what we lament;
Lamenting, or lamented, all our lot!
Lamenting, or lamented, all our situation!
Is Death at distance? No: he has been on thee;
Is Death far away? No: he has been upon you;
And given sure earnest of his final blow.
And given clear evidence of his final strike.
These hours that lately smiled, where are they now?
These happy hours we recently enjoyed, where are they now?
Pallid to thought, and ghastly! drown’d, all drown’d
Pale and haunting, all submerged, completely submerged.
In that great deep, which nothing disembogues! 370
In that vast abyss, where nothing flows out!370
And, dying, they bequeathed thee small renown.
And, when they died, they left you little fame.
The rest are on the wing: how fleet their flight!
The rest are in the air: how fast they fly!
Already has the fatal train took fire;
Already the fatal train has caught fire;
A moment, and the world’s blown up to thee;
A moment, and the world’s exploded for you;
The sun is darkness, and the stars are dust.
The sun is dark, and the stars are just particles.
’Tis greatly wise to talk with our past hours;
It’s very wise to reflect on our past experiences;
And ask them, what report they bore to heaven;
And ask them what message they took to heaven;
And how they might have borne more welcome news.
And how they could have received more good news.
Their answers form what men experience call;
Their answers create what people refer to as experience;
If Wisdom’s friend, her best; if not, worst foe. 380
If Wisdom has a friend, they’re her best; if not, her worst enemy.380
“Oh, reconcile them!” kind Experience cries;
“Oh, bring them together!” kind Experience calls;
“There’s nothing here, but what as nothing weighs;
“There’s nothing here, but whatever nothing weighs;
The more our joy, the more we know it vain;
The more we experience joy, the more we realize it's fleeting;
And by success are tutor’d to despair.”
And by success are taught to lose hope.
Nor is it only thus, but must be so.
Nor is it just this way, but it has to be.
Who knows not this, though grey, is still a child.
Who doesn’t know that this person, despite being old, is still like a child?
Loose then from earth the grasp of fond desire,
Loose then from earth the grip of eager longing,
Weigh anchor, and some happier clime explore.
Weigh anchor and explore a happier place.
Art thou so moor’d thou canst not disengage,
Are you so stuck that you can't break free,
Nor give thy thoughts a ply to future scenes? 390
Nor should you allow your thoughts to wander to future events?390
Since, by life’s passing breath, blown up from earth,
Since, by life's fleeting breath, lifted from the earth,
Light as the summer’s dust, we take in air
Light as the summer dust, we breathe in air
A moment’s giddy flight, and fall again;
A brief, exhilarating ride, then back down again;
Join the dull mass, increase the trodden soil, 394
Join the bland crowd, pack down the ground,394
And sleep, till earth herself shall be no more;
And sleep until the earth itself is gone;
Since then (as emmets, their small world o’erthrown)
Since then (as ants, their small world turned upside down)
We, sore-amazed, from out earth’s ruins crawl,
We, exhausted and in awe, crawl out from the ruins of the earth,
And rise to fate extreme of foul or fair,
And face the ultimate fate, whether good or bad,
As man’s own choice (controller of the skies!)
As humanity's own choice (controller of the skies!)
As man’s despotic will, perhaps one hour
As man's oppressive will, maybe one hour
(O how omnipotent is time!) decrees;
(O how powerful is time!) decrees;
Should not each warning give a strong alarm?
Shouldn't every warning raise a serious alarm?
Warning, far less than that of bosom torn 403
Warning, much less than that of a heart ripped apart403
From bosom, bleeding o’er the sacred dead!
From the heart, bleeding over the sacred dead!
Should not each dial strike us as we pass,
Shouldn’t each clock chime catch our attention as we go by,
Portentous, as the written wall, which struck,
Portentous, like the written wall, which struck,
O’er midnight bowls, the proud Assyrian pale,
O'er midnight bowls, the proud Assyrian pale,
Erewhile high-flush’d, with insolence, and wine?
Once high-spirited, filled with arrogance and wine?
Like that, the dial speaks; and points to thee,
Like that, the dial speaks and points to you,
Lorenzo! loth to break thy banquet up: 410
Lorenzo! Reluctant to end your feast: 410
“O man, thy kingdom is departing from thee;
“O man, your kingdom is leaving you;
And, while it lasts, is emptier than my shade.”
And, for as long as it lasts, is emptier than my shadow.”
Its silent language such: nor need’st thou call
Its silent language is such that you don't need to call
Thy Magi, to decipher what it means.
Your Magi, to figure out what it means.
Know, like the Median, fate is in thy walls:
Know, like the Median, your fate is within your walls:
Dost ask, How? Whence? Belshazzar-like, amazed?
Dare you ask, How? Where? Like Belshazzar, surprised?
Man’s make encloses the sure seeds of death;
Man's nature contains the certain seeds of death;
Life feeds the murderer: ingrate! he thrives
Life fuels the killer: ungrateful! he thrives
On her own meal, and then his nurse devours.
On her own meal, and then his nurse eats.
But, here, Lorenzo, the delusion lies; 420
But here, Lorenzo, that's where the illusion is; 420
That solar shadow, as it measures life,
That solar shadow, as it gauges life,
It life resembles too: life speeds away
It life resembles too: life speeds away
From point to point, though seeming to stand still.
From one spot to another, even though it looks like it's not moving.
The cunning fugitive is swift by stealth:
The clever escapee moves quickly and quietly:
Too subtle is the movement to be seen;
Too subtle is the movement to be noticed;
Yet soon man’s hour is up, and we are gone.
Yet soon man's time is up, and we are gone.
Warnings point out our danger; gnomons, time:
Warnings highlight our dangers; gnomons indicate time:
As these are useless when the sun is set: 423
As these are useless when the sun goes down:423
So those, but when more glorious reason shines.
So those, but when a more brilliant reason shines.
Reason should judge in all; in reason’s eye,
Reason should decide everything; in reason's view,
That sedentary shadow travels hard.
That inactive shadow moves slowly.
But such our gravitation to the wrong,
But we’re so drawn to the wrong things,
So prone our hearts to whisper what we wish,
So likely are our hearts to whisper what we desire,
’Tis later with the wise than he’s aware:
It’s later for the wise than he knows:
A Wilmington goes slower than the sun:
A Wilmington moves slower than the sun:
And all mankind mistake their time of day;
And all of humanity misjudges their time of day;
Even age itself. Fresh hopes are hourly sown
Even age itself. New hopes are planted every hour.
In furrow’d brows. To gentle life’s descent
In furrowed brows. To the gentle decline of life.
We shut our eyes, and think it is a plain.
We close our eyes and imagine it's a flat landscape.
We take fair days in winter, for the spring; 440
We take nice days in winter, for the spring;440
And turn our blessings into bane. Since oft
And turn our blessings into curses. Since often
Man must compute that age he cannot feel,
Man must calculate the age he can't perceive,
He scarce believes he’s older for his years.
He hardly believes he's older than his years.
Thus, at life’s latest eve, we keep in store
Thus, at life's final moments, we hold onto
One disappointment sure, to crown the rest;
One disappointment for sure, to top everything else;
The disappointment of a promised hour.
The disappointment of a promised hour.
On this, or similar, Philander! thou,
On this, or something like it, Philander! you,
Whose mind was moral, as the preacher’s tongue;
Whose mind was ethical, just like the preacher's words;
And strong, to wield all science, worth the name;
And strong enough to master all knowledge that deserves the name;
How often we talk’d down the summer’s sun, 450
How often we talked about the summer's sun,450
And cool’d our passions by the breezy stream!
And cooled our feelings by the breezy stream!
How often thaw’d and shorten’d winter’s eve,
How often winter's evening has warmed and shortened,
By conflict kind, that struck out latent truth,
By the kind of conflict that reveals hidden truths,
Best found, so sought; to the recluse more coy!
Best found, so desired; to the reclusive one more elusive!
Thoughts disentangle passing o’er the lip;
Thoughts come out clearly when spoken.
Clean runs the thread; if not, ’tis thrown away,
Clean runs the thread; if not, it’s discarded,
Or kept to tie up nonsense for a song;
Or saved to tie up nonsense for a song;
Song, fashionably fruitless; such as stains
Song, stylishly useless; like stains
The fancy, and unhallow’d passion fires;
The fancy and forbidden desire ignites;
Know’st thou, Lorenzo! what a friend contains? 461
Know, Lorenzo! Do you know what a friend holds?
As bees mix’d nectar draw from fragrant flowers,
As bees gather nectar from sweet-smelling flowers,
So men from friendship, wisdom and delight;
So men seek friendship, wisdom, and enjoyment;
Twins tied by Nature, if they part, they die.
Twins connected by nature, if they separate, they die.
Hast thou no friend to set thy mind abroach?
Do you have no friend to share your thoughts with?
Good sense will stagnate. Thoughts shut up, want air,
Good sense will stagnate. Thoughts that are kept inside need to breathe.
And spoil, like bales unopen’d to the sun.
And ruin, like bales unopened to the sun.
Had thought been all, sweet speech had been denied;
Had thinking been everything, sweet words would have been taken away;
Speech, thought’s canal! speech, thought’s criterion too!
Speech, the channel of thought! Speech, the standard of thought as well!
Thought in the mine, may come forth gold, or dross;
Thought in the mine may produce gold or trash;
When coin’d in words, we know its real worth. 471
When put into words, we understand its true value.471
If sterling, store it for thy future use;
If it's valuable, save it for your future use;
’Twill buy thee benefit; perhaps, renown.
It will gain you advantages; maybe even fame.
Thought, too, deliver’d, is the more possess’d;
Thought, when expressed, feels more owned;
Teaching, we learn; and, giving, we retain
Teaching helps us learn, and by giving, we hold on to what we know.
The births of intellect; when dumb, forgot.
The births of intellect; when silent, forgotten.
Speech ventilates our intellectual fire;
Speech fuels our intellect;
Speech burnishes our mental magazine;
Speech enhances our mental magazine;
Brightens, for ornament; and whets, for use.
Brightens for decoration; and sharpens for use.
What numbers, sheathed in erudition, lie, 480
What numbers, wrapped in knowledge, lie,480
Plunged to the hilts in venerable tomes,
Plunged to the handles in ancient books,
And rusted in; who might have borne an edge,
And rusted in; who might have had an edge,
And play’d a sprightly beam, if born to speech;
And gave off a lively light, if it could talk;
If born bless’d heirs of half their mother’s tongue!
If you’re lucky enough to inherit half of your mother’s language!
’Tis thought’s exchange, which, like th’ alternate push
’Tis thought’s exchange, which, like the alternating push
Of waves conflicting, breaks the learned scum,
Of clashing waves, the experienced foam breaks,
And defecates the student’s standing pool.
And poops in the student's standing pool.
In contemplation is his proud resource?
Is his proud resource in contemplation?
’Tis poor, as proud, by converse unsustain’d.
It’s weak, just like pride, when it’s not supported by conversation.
Rude thought runs wild in contemplation’s field; 490
Rude thoughts run wild in the field of contemplation;490
Converse, the menage, breaks it to the bit
Converse, the household, gets right to the point.
Of due restraint; and emulation’s spur
Of proper moderation; and the drive of competition
Gives graceful energy, by rivals awed.
Gives graceful energy, leaving rivals in awe.
’Tis converse qualifies for solitude;
Conversation qualifies for solitude;
As exercise, for salutary rest. 495
As exercise for good rest. 495
By that untutor’d, contemplation raves;
By that untutored, deep thinking raves;
And Nature’s fool, by wisdom is undone.
And Nature's fool is outsmarted by wisdom.
Wisdom, though richer than Peruvian mines,
Wisdom, though more valuable than Peruvian mines,
And sweeter than the sweet ambrosial hive,
And sweeter than the sweet, heavenly honeycomb,
What is she, but the means of happiness?
What is she, if not the source of happiness?
That unobtain’d, than folly more a fool;
That unattainable thing is more foolish than total foolishness.
A melancholy fool, without her bells.
A sad fool, without her bells.
Friendship, the means of wisdom, richly gives 503
Friendship, the path to wisdom, generously offers
The precious end, which makes our wisdom wise.
The valuable goal that gives our knowledge its worth.
Nature, in zeal for human amity,
Nature, in its eagerness for human friendship,
Denies, or damps, an undivided joy.
Denies, or dampens, a complete joy.
Joy is an import; joy is an exchange;
Joy is something we bring in; joy is a trade;
Joy flies monopolists: it calls for two;
Joy flies monopolists: it calls for two;
Rich fruit! heaven-planted! never pluck’d by one.
Rich fruit! Planted by heaven! Never picked by anyone.
Needful auxiliars are our friends, to give 510
Needful helpers are our friends, to give510
To social man true relish of himself.
To social man, a true appreciation of himself.
Full on ourselves, descending in a line,
Full of ourselves, coming down in a line,
Pleasure’s bright beam is feeble in delight:
Pleasure's bright light is weak in happiness:
Delight intense, is taken by rebound;
Delight, intense, comes from the rebound;
Reverberated pleasures fire the breast.
Echoed pleasures ignite the heart.
Celestial happiness, whene’er she stoops
Celestial joy, whenever she descends
To visit earth, one shrine the goddess finds,
To visit Earth, one must find the goddess's shrine,
And one alone, to make her sweet amends
And one person alone, to make her nice apologies
For absent heaven—the bosom of a friend;
For the absence of heaven—the embrace of a friend;
Where heart meets heart, reciprocally soft, 520
Where hearts connect, gently and reciprocally, 520
Each other’s pillow to repose divine.
Each other's pillow to rest peacefully.
Beware the counterfeit: in passion’s flame
Beware of the fake: in the fire of passion
Hearts melt, but melt like ice, soon harder froze.
Hearts melt, but melt like ice, soon harder froze.
True love strikes root in reason; passion’s foe:
True love is grounded in reason; it's the enemy of passion:
Virtue alone entenders us for life:
Virtue alone prepares us for life:
I wrong her much—entenders us for ever:
I hurt her a lot—understands us forever:
Of friendship’s fairest fruits, the fruit most fair
Of friendship's sweetest rewards, the sweetest one
Is virtue kindling at a rival fire,
Is virtue lighting up at a competing fire,
And, emulously, rapid in her race. 529
And, striving to keep up, fast in her speed.529
O the soft enmity! endearing strife!
O the gentle rivalry! charming conflict!
This carries friendship to her noontide point,
This brings friendship to its peak.
And gives the rivet of eternity.
And provides the bolt of forever.
From friendship, which outlives my former themes,
From friendship, which lasts longer than my past topics,
Glorious survivor of old time and death;
Glorious survivor of the past and of death;
From friendship, thus, that flower of heavenly seed,
From friendship, then, that flower of divine origin,
The wise extract earth’s most Hyblean bliss,
The wise take the earth's greatest joy,
Superior wisdom, crown’d with smiling joy.
Superior wisdom, crowned with joyful smiles.
But for whom blossoms this Elysian flower?
But for whom does this paradise flower bloom?
Abroad they find, who cherish it at home.
Abroad, they discover what they appreciate at home.
Lorenzo! pardon what my love extorts, 540
Lorenzo! forgive what my love demands,540
An honest love, and not afraid to frown.
An honest love that isn't afraid to show discontent.
Though choice of follies fasten on the great,
Though the powerful often get caught up in their foolish choices,
None clings more obstinate, than fancy, fond
None clings more stubbornly than imagination, affectionate.
That sacred friendship is their easy prey;
That special friendship is their easy target;
Caught by the wafture of a golden lure,
Caught by the drift of a golden lure,
Or fascination of a high-born smile.
Or fascination of a noble smile.
Their smiles, the great, and the coquette, throw out
Their smiles, the great and the flirty, radiate.
For others’ hearts, tenacious of their own;
For the hearts of others, clinging tightly to their own;
And we no less of ours, when such the bait.
And we don’t think any less of ourselves when the bait is like this.
Ye fortune’s cofferers! ye powers of wealth! 550
Ye fortune’s cofferers! ye powers of wealth!550
Can gold gain friendship? Impudence of hope!
Can gold buy friendship? What a bold hope!
As well mere man an angel might beget.
As well a mere man could father an angel.
Love, and love only, is the loan for love.
Love, and only love, is the currency of love.
Lorenzo! pride repress; nor hope to find
Lorenzo! suppress your pride; don’t expect to find
A friend, but what has found a friend in thee.
A friend, but what has found a friend in you.
All like the purchase; few the price will pay;
All enjoy the purchase; few will pay the price;
And this makes friends such miracles below.
And this makes friends such wonders down here.
What if (since daring on so nice a theme)
What if (since taking on such a great topic)
I show thee friendship delicate, as dear,
I show you friendship that's delicate, as precious,
Of tender violations apt to die? 560
Of gentle wrongs likely to fade away? 560
Reserve will wound it; and distrust, destroy.
Reserve will hurt it; and distrust will ruin it.
Deliberate on all things with thy friend.
Talk about everything with your friend.
But since friends grow not thick on every bough, 563
But since friends aren't found on every tree branch,563
Nor every friend unrotten at the core;
Nor is every friend solid at their core;
First, on thy friend, deliberate with thyself;
First, think carefully about your friend;
Pause, ponder, sift; not eager in the choice,
Pause, think, consider; don’t rush the decision,
Nor jealous of the chosen; fixing, fix;
Nor jealous of the chosen; focusing, focus;
Judge before friendship, then confide till death.
Judge before becoming friends, then trust each other until the end.
Well, for thy friend; but nobler far for thee;
Well, for your friend; but much nobler for you;
How gallant danger for earth’s highest prize! 570
How courageous to risk everything for the greatest reward on earth!570
A friend is worth all hazards we can run.
A friend is worth any risks we might face.
“Poor is the friendless master of a world:
“Poor is the friendless ruler of a world:
A world in purchase for a friend is gain.”
A world bought for a friend is a win.
So sung he (angels hear that angel sing!
So he sang (angels hear that angel sing!
Angels from friendship gather half their joy),
Angels from friendship share half their joy),
So sung Philander, as his friend went round
So sang Philander, as his friend walked around.
In the rich ichor, in the generous blood
In the rich fluid, in the plentiful blood
Of Bacchus, purple god of joyous wit,
Of Bacchus, the purple god of joyful cleverness,
A brow solute, and ever-laughing eye.
A furrowed brow and an always-laughing eye.
He drank long health, and virtue, to his friend; 580
He raised his glass to health and virtue for his friend; 580
His friend, who warm’d him more, who more inspired.
His friend, who comforted him more, who inspired him even more.
Friendship’s the wine of life; but friendship new
Friendship is the wine of life; but new friendships
(Not such was his) is neither strong, nor pure.
(Not such was his) is neither strong nor pure.
O for the bright complexion, cordial warmth,
O for the bright complexion, warm friendliness,
And elevating spirit, of a friend,
And lifting the spirit of a friend,
For twenty summers ripening by my side;
For twenty summers maturing by my side;
All feculence of falsehood long thrown down;
All the filth of lies has been long tossed aside;
All social virtues rising in his soul;
All the social virtues blossoming in his soul;
As crystal clear; and smiling, as they rise!
As clear as crystal; and smiling, as they rise!
Here nectar flows; it sparkles in our sight; 590
Here nectar flows; it sparkles in front of us; 590
Rich to the taste, and genuine from the heart.
Rich in flavor and authentic from the heart.
High-flavour’d bliss for gods! on earth how rare!
High-flavored bliss for the gods! How rare it is on earth!
On earth how lost!—Philander is no more.
On Earth, how lost we are!—Philander is gone.
Think’st thou the theme intoxicates my song?
Do you think the theme makes my song intoxicating?
Am I too warm?—Too warm I cannot be.
Am I too warm?—I can't be too warm.
I loved him much; but now I love him more.
I loved him a lot; but now I love him even more.
Like birds, whose beauties languish, half-conceal’d, 597
Like birds, whose beauty fades, barely hidden,597
Till, mounted on the wing, their glossy plumes
Till, perched on the wing, their shiny feathers
Expanded shine with azure, green, and gold;
Expanded shine with blue, green, and gold;
How blessings brighten as they take their flight!
How blessings shine even brighter as they move on!
His flight Philander took; his upward flight,
His flight, Philander took; his upward flight,
If ever soul ascended. Had he dropp’d
If any soul ever ascended, had he dropped
(That eagle genius!), oh! had he let fall
(That eagle genius!), oh! if only he had let fall
One feather as he flew; I, then, had wrote, 604
One feather as he flew; I then wrote,604
What friends might flatter; prudent foes forbear;
What friends might praise; careful enemies hold back;
Rivals scarce damn; and Zoilus reprieve.
Rivals are few, damn it; and Zoilus gets a break.
Yet what I can, I must: it were profane
Yet what I can do, I must: it would be disrespectful
To quench a glory lighted at the skies,
To extinguish a glory lit in the sky,
And cast in shadows his illustrious close.
And cast in shadows his remarkable end.
Strange! the theme most affecting, most sublime, 610
Strange! The most powerful and uplifting theme, 610
Momentous most to man, should sleep unsung!
Momentous as it is to humanity, sleep should not go unappreciated!
And yet it sleeps, by genius unawaked,
And yet it sleeps, untouched by genius.
Paynim or Christian; to the blush of wit.
Paynim or Christian; to the embarrassment of wit.
Man’s highest triumph! man’s profoundest fall!
Man’s greatest achievement! Man’s deepest downfall!
The death-bed of the just! is yet undrawn
The deathbed of the just! is still unmade.
By mortal hand; it merits a divine:
By human hands; it deserves a divine one:
Angels should paint it, angels ever there;
Angels should paint it, angels always there;
There, on a post of honour, and of joy.
There, on a pedestal of honor, and of joy.
Dare I presume, then? But Philander bids;
Dare I assume that? But Philander insists;
And glory tempts, and inclination calls— 620
And glory tempts, and desire beckons—620
Yet am I struck; as struck the soul, beneath
Yet I am struck; just like the soul, beneath
Aërial groves’ impenetrable gloom;
Aerial groves’ impenetrable gloom;
Or, in some mighty ruin’s solemn shade;
Or, in the serious shadow of some grand ruin;
Or, gazing by pale lamps on high-born dust,
Or, looking at the fine dust under dim lights,
In vaults; thin courts of poor unflatter’d kings;
In vaults; narrow courts of unflattered kings who are struggling;
Or, at the midnight altar’s hallow’d flame.
Or, at the midnight altar's holy flame.
Is it religion to proceed? I pause—
Is it religious to move forward? I stop—
And enter, awed, the temple of my theme.
And step inside, in awe, the temple of my topic.
Is it his death-bed? No: it is his shrine:
Is it his deathbed? No: it is his shrine:
Behold him, there, just rising to a god. 630
Behold him, there, just rising to a god.630
The chamber where the good man meets his fate, 631
The room where the decent man faces his destiny,631
Is privileged beyond the common walk
Is privileged beyond the ordinary path
Of virtuous life, quite in the verge of heaven.
Of a virtuous life, right on the edge of heaven.
Fly, ye profane! if not, draw near with awe,
Fly, you unholy ones! If not, come closer with respect,
Receive the blessing, and adore the chance,
Receive the blessing, and cherish the opportunity,
That threw in this Bethesda your disease;
That introduced this condition in Bethesda;
If unrestored by this, despair your cure.
If this doesn't restore you, then despair is your only remedy.
For here, resistless demonstration dwells;
Here, undeniable evidence resides;
A death-bed’s a detector of the heart.
A deathbed reveals the true feelings of the heart.
Here tired Dissimulation drops her mask, 640
Here tired Dissimulation drops her mask,640
Through life’s grimace, that mistress of the scene!
Through life's struggles, that mistress of the stage!
Here real and apparent are the same.
Here, real and apparent are the same.
You see the man; you see his hold on heaven;
You see the man; you see his grip on heaven;
If sound his virtue; as Philander’s, sound.
If his virtue is solid; like Philander's, solid.
Heaven waits not the last moment; owns her friends
Heaven doesn't wait until the last moment; it claims its friends.
On this side death; and points them out to men,
On this side is death, and shows it to people,
A lecture, silent, but of sovereign power!
A lecture, quiet, yet incredibly powerful!
To vice, confusion; and to virtue, peace.
To wrongdoing, chaos; and to goodness, calm.
Whatever farce the boastful hero plays,
Whatever ridiculous act the arrogant hero performs,
Virtue alone has majesty in death; 650
Virtue alone holds greatness in death;650
And greater still, the more the tyrant frowns.
And even more so, the more the tyrant scowls.
Philander! he severely frown’d on thee.
Philander! he frowned at you severely.
“No warning given! Unceremonious fate!
“No warning given! Harsh fate!
A sudden rush from life’s meridian joy!
A sudden surge from life’s peak happiness!
A wrench from all we love! from all we are!
A pain from everything we love! from everything we are!
A restless bed of pain! a plunge opaque
A restless bed of pain! a plunge murky
Beyond conjecture! feeble Nature’s dread!
Beyond speculation! Weak Nature’s fear!
Strong reason’s shudder at the dark unknown!
Strong reasons shudder at the dark unknown!
A sun extinguish’d! a just opening grave!
A sun gone out! a freshly opened grave!
And, oh! the last, last, what? (can words express? 660
And, oh! the final, final, what? (can words express?660
Thought reach it?)—the last—silence of a friend!”
Thought reach it?)—the last—silence of a friend!”
Where are those horrors, that amazement, where,
Where are those horrors, that amazement, where,
This hideous group of ills, which singly shock,
This horrible group of ailments, each shocking on its own,
Demand from man?—I thought him man till now.
Demand from man?—I thought he was a man until now.
Through nature’s wreck, through vanquish’d agonies
Through nature's ruin, through defeated struggles
(Like the stars struggling through this midnight gloom),
(Like the stars fighting their way through this midnight darkness),
What gleams of joy! what more than human peace!
What sparks of joy! What peace beyond human understanding!
Where, the frail mortal? the poor abject worm?
Where is the fragile human? The pitiful, lowly worm?
No, not in death, the mortal to be found.
No, not in death, can the mortal be found.
His conduct is a legacy for all; 670
His behavior is a legacy for everyone;670
Richer than Mammon’s for his single heir.
Richer than Mammon because of his only heir.
His comforters he comforts; great in ruin,
His comforters, he comforts; great in disaster,
With unreluctant grandeur, gives, not yields,
With unwavering grandeur, gives, not yields,
His soul sublime; and closes with his fate.
His soul is elevated, and it ends with his destiny.
How our hearts burn’d within us at the scene!
How our hearts burned within us at the sight!
Whence this brave bound o’er limits fix’d to man?
From where does this brave leap over boundaries set for mankind come?
His God sustains him in his final hour!
His God supports him in his last moments!
His final hour brings glory to his God!
His last hour brings glory to his God!
Man’s glory Heaven vouchsafes to call her own.
Man’s glory is something Heaven allows to claim as its own.
We gaze, we weep; mix’d tears of grief and joy! 680
We look, we cry; a blend of tears from both sorrow and happiness!680
Amazement strikes! devotion bursts to flame!
Amazement strikes! Devotion ignites!
Christians adore! and infidels believe!
Christians worship! and non-believers think!
Detains the sun, illustrious, from its height;
Detains the sun, shining brightly, from its height;
While rising vapours, and descending shades,
While rising vapors and falling shadows,
With damps, and darkness, drown the spacious vale;
With dampness and darkness, flood the wide valley;
Undamp’d by doubt, undarken’d by despair,
Undampened by doubt, unclouded by despair,
Philander, thus, augustly rears his head,
Philander, therefore, proudly lifts his head,
At that black hour, which general horror sheds
At that dark hour, when a general sense of fear spreads
On the low level of th’ inglorious throng: 690
On the low level of the unremarkable crowd:690
Sweet peace, and heavenly hope, and humble joy,
Sweet peace, heavenly hope, and humble joy,
Divinely beam on his exalted soul;
Divinely shine on his elevated spirit;
Destruction gild, and crown him for the skies,
Destruction shines, and crowns him for the heavens,
With incommunicable lustre, bright.
With uncommunicable brilliance, bright.
NARCISSA.
Ignoscenda quidem, scirent si ignoscere manes.—Virg.
Ignoscenda indeed, if the spirits knew how to forgive.—Virg.
NIGHT THIRD.
Third Night.
NARCISSA.
From dreams, where thought in fancy’s maze runs mad,
From dreams, where thoughts wander wildly in fantasy,
To reason, that heaven-lighted lamp in man,
To think, that divine light within us,
Once more I wake; and at the destined hour,
Once again, I wake; and at the scheduled time,
Punctual as lovers to the moment sworn,
Punctual as lovers to the moment promised,
I keep my assignation with my woe.
I face my sorrow directly.
Oh! lost to virtue, lost to manly thought,
Oh! lost to virtue, lost to manly thought,
Lost to the noble sallies of the soul!
Lost to the noble outbursts of the soul!
Who think it solitude to be alone.
Who thinks it's lonely to be alone?
Communion sweet! communion large and high!
Communion sweet! communion grand and elevated!
Our reason, guardian angel, and our God! 10
Our reason, guardian angel, and our God!10
Then nearest these, when others most remote;
Then closest to these, while others are farthest away;
And all, ere long, shall be remote, but these.
And soon, everything will be distant, except for these.
How dreadful, then, to meet them all alone,
How terrifying it is to face them all by myself,
A stranger! unacknowledged, unapproved!
A stranger! unnoticed, unapproved!
Now woo them, wed them, bind them to thy breast;
Now charm them, marry them, hold them close to you;
To win thy wish, creation has no more.
To fulfill your desire, there’s nothing left to create.
Or if we wish a fourth, it is a friend—
Or if we want a fourth, it's a friend—
But friends, how mortal! dangerous the desire.
But friends, how deadly! Dangerous is the desire.
Take Phœbus to yourselves, ye basking bards! 19
Take Phœbus for yourselves, you lounging poets!19
Inebriate at fair fortune’s fountain-head;
Drink deeply from good fortune;
And reeling through the wilderness of joy;
And stumbling through the wilderness of joy;
Where sense runs savage, broke from reason’s chain,
Where feelings go wild, breaking free from rational thinking,
And sings false peace, till smother’d by the pall.
And sings fake peace, until it's suffocated by the shroud.
My fortune is unlike; unlike my song;
My fortune is different; different from my song;
Unlike the deity my song invokes.
Unlike the god my song calls upon.
I to Day’s soft-eyed sister pay my court
I pay my respects to Day’s gentle-eyed sister.
(Endymion’s rival!), and her aid implore;
(Endymion’s rival!), and ask for her help;
Now first implored in succour to the Muse.
Now first called upon for help from the Muse.
And modestly forego thine own! O thou, 30
And modestly give up your own! Oh you,30
Who didst thyself at midnight hours inspire!
Who inspired you in the late hours of the night!
Say, why not Cynthia patroness of song?
Say, why not Cynthia, the muse of song?
As thou her crescent, she thy character
As you are her crescent, she is your character.
Assumes; still more a goddess by the change.
Assumes; even more like a goddess with the transformation.
Are there demurring wits, who dare dispute
Are there hesitant minds who dare to challenge
This revolution in the world inspired?
This revolution in the world inspired?
Ye train Pierian! to the lunar sphere,
Ye train Pierian! to the lunar sphere,
In silent hour address your ardent call
In the quiet hours, express your passionate plea.
For aid immortal; less her brother’s right.
For help that lasts forever; fewer rights for her brother.
She, with the spheres harmonious, nightly leads 40
She, with the harmonious spheres, leads each night
The mazy dance, and hears their matchless strain;
The intricate dance, and hears their unbeatable tune;
A strain for gods, denied to mortal ear.
A sound meant for the gods, not meant for human ears.
Transmit it heard, thou silver Queen of Heaven!
Transmit it heard, you silver Queen of Heaven!
What title, or what name, endears thee most?
What title or name do you like the most?
Cynthia! Cyllene! Phœbe!—or dost hear
Cynthia! Cyllene! Phoebe!—do you hear?
With higher gust, fair P——d of the skies?
With a stronger gust, fair P——d of the skies?
Is that the soft enchantment calls thee down,
Is that the gentle charm calling you down,
More powerful than of old Circean charm?
More powerful than the old Circean charm?
Come; but from heavenly banquets with thee bring
Come; but from heavenly feasts, bring with you
The soul of song, and whisper in my ear 50
The essence of music, and a secret in my ear50
The theft divine; or in propitious dreams
The divine theft; or in favorable dreams
(For dreams are thine) transfuse it through the breast 52
(For dreams are thine) transfuse it through the breast52
Of thy first votary—but not thy last;
Of your first follower—but not your last;
If, like thy namesake, thou art ever kind.
If, like your namesake, you are always kind.
And kind thou wilt be; kind on such a theme;
And you will be kind; kind on such a topic;
A theme so like thee, a quite lunar theme,
A theme so much like you, a totally lunar theme,
Soft, modest, melancholy, female, fair!
Soft, humble, sad, female, fair!
A theme that rose all pale, and told my soul,
A theme that emerged, faint and whispered to my soul,
’Twas Night; on her fond hopes perpetual night;
It was nighttime; on her cherished dreams, endless night;
A night which struck a damp, a deadlier damp, 60
A night that brought a chill, a more dangerous chill,60
Than that which smote me from Philander’s tomb.
Than that which struck me from Philander’s grave.
Woes cluster; rare are solitary woes;
Woes come in groups; it's rare to have a woe that stands alone;
They love a train, they tread each other’s heel;
They love a train, they step on each other's heels;
Her death invades his mournful right, and claims
Her death intrudes on his sorrowful sense of propriety and demands
The grief that started from my lids for him:
The sadness that began in my eyes for him:
Seizes the faithless, alienated tear,
Seizes the faithless, alienated tear,
Or shares it, ere it falls. So frequent Death,
Or shares it before it falls. So often Death,
Sorrow he more than causes, he confounds;
Sorrow he creates not just, but also confuses;
For human sighs his rival strokes contend, 70
For human sighs, his rival's efforts compete,70
And make distress, distraction. Oh, Philander!
And bring on worry and confusion. Oh, Philander!
What was thy fate? A double fate to me;
What was your fate? It was a double fate for me;
Portent, and pain! a menace, and a blow!
Portent and pain! A threat and a strike!
Like the black raven hovering o’er my peace,
Like the black raven hovering over my peace,
Not less a bird of omen, than of prey.
Not just a bird of omen, but also a predator.
It call’d Narcissa long before her hour;
It called Narcissa long before her time;
It call’d her tender soul, by break of bliss,
It called to her gentle soul at the dawn of happiness,
From the first blossom, from the buds of joy;
From the first flower, from the buds of happiness;
Those few our noxious fate unblasted leaves
Those few leaves untouched by our harmful fate
In this inclement clime of human life. 80
In this harsh climate of human life.80
Sweet harmonist! and beautiful as sweet!
Sweet harmonist! And beautiful as sweet!
And young as beautiful! and soft as young!
And young and beautiful! And soft and youthful!
And gay as soft! and innocent as gay!
And cheerful as can be! and innocent as cheerful!
And happy (if aught happy here) as good!
And happy (if anything is happy here) as good!
For fortune fond had built her nest on high. 85
For luck had set up her home up high.85
Like birds quite exquisite of note and plume,
Like beautiful birds with impressive feathers,
Transfix’d by fate (who loves a lofty mark),
Transfixed by fate (who loves a high target),
How from the summit of the grove she fell,
How she fell from the top of the grove,
And left it unharmonious! all its charms
And left it dissonant! all its charms
Extinguish’d in the wonders of her song!
Extinguished by the wonders of her song!
Her song still vibrates in my ravish’d ear,
Her song still echoes in my captivated ear,
Still melting there, and with voluptuous pain
Still melting there, and with intense pleasure
(O to forget her!) thrilling through my heart! 93
(O to forget her!) thrilling through my heart!93
Song, beauty, youth, love, virtue, joy! this group
Song, beauty, youth, love, virtue, joy! This group
Of bright ideas, flowers of paradise,
Of bright ideas, flowers of paradise,
As yet unforfeit! in one blaze we bind,
As of now, unclaimed! in one flash we connect,
Kneel, and present it to the skies; as all
Kneel and offer it up to the sky, just like everyone else.
We guess of heaven: and these were all her own.
We speculate about heaven: and these were all hers.
And she was mine; and I was—was!—most blest!—
And she was mine; and I was—was!—so blessed!—
Gay title of the deepest misery! 100
Gay title of the deepest misery!100
As bodies grow more ponderous, robb’d of life;
As bodies become heavier, stripped of life;
Good lost weighs more in grief, than gain’d, in joy.
Good lost weighs more in grief than gained in joy.
Like blossom’d trees o’erturn’d by vernal storm,
Like flowering trees turned upside down by a spring storm,
Lovely in death the beauteous ruin lay;
Lovely in death, the beautiful ruin lay;
And if in death still lovely, lovelier there;
And if in death still beautiful, even more beautiful there;
Far lovelier! pity swells the tide of love.
Far more lovely! Pity raises the tide of love.
And will not the severe excuse a sigh?
And can’t a serious situation excuse a sigh?
Scorn the proud man that is ashamed to weep;
Scorn the arrogant person who is too proud to cry;
Our tears indulged, indeed deserve our shame.
Our tears, once freely shed, truly deserve our shame.
Ye that e’er lost an angel! pity me. 110
You who have ever lost an angel! Feel sorry for me.110
Soon as the lustre languish’d in her eye,
Soon as the spark faded in her eye,
Dawning a dimmer day on human sight;
Dimming the day for human sight;
And on her cheek, the residence of spring,
And on her cheek, the home of spring,
Pale omen sat; and scatter’d fears around
Pale omen sat; and scattered fears around
On all that saw; (and who would cease to gaze,
On everything that was seen; (and who would stop looking,
That once had seen?) with haste, parental haste,
That someone had seen? With urgency, a parent's urgency,
I flew, I snatch’d her from the rigid north,
I flew, I grabbed her from the cold north,
Her native bed, on which bleak Boreas blew,
Her own bed, where the cold wind blew,
(As if the sun could envy) check’d his beam,
(As if the sun could envy) checked his beam,
Denied his wonted succour; nor with more
Denied his usual support; nor with more
Regret beheld her drooping, than the bells
Regret watched her fade, more than the bells
Of lilies; fairest lilies, not so fair!
Of lilies; beautiful lilies, not so beautiful!
Queen lilies! and ye painted populace!
Queen lilies! and you colorful crowd!
Who dwell in fields, and lead ambrosial lives;
Who live in the fields and lead heavenly lives;
In morn and evening dew your beauties bathe,
In the morning and evening dew, you immerse yourself in beauty,
And drink the sun; which gives your cheeks to glow,
And drink the sun; which makes your cheeks shine,
And out-blush (mine excepted) every fair;
And out-blush (except for mine) every beauty;
You gladlier grew, ambitious of her hand,
You grew more eager, wanting to have her hand,
Which often cropp’d your odours, incense meet 130
Which often changed your scents, fitting incense
To thought so pure! Ye lovely fugitives!
To such pure thoughts! You beautiful runaways!
Coeval race with man! for man you smile;
Coeval race with man! For man, you smile;
Why not smile at him too? You share indeed
Why not smile at him too? You really do share.
His sudden pass; but not his constant pain.
His sudden passing; but not his constant suffering.
So man is made, nought ministers delight,
So man is created, nothing else brings joy,
By what his glowing passions can engage;
By what his intense feelings can attract;
And glowing passions, bent on aught below,
And intense emotions, focused on anything below,
Must, soon or late, with anguish turn the scale;
Must, sooner or later, painfully tip the balance;
And anguish, after rapture, how severe!
And the pain, after the joy, is so intense!
Rapture? Bold man! who tempts the wrath divine, 140
Rapture? Brave man! who challenges the anger of the gods,140
By plucking fruit denied to mortal taste,
By picking fruit that mortals can’t taste,
While here, presuming on the rights of heaven.
While here, taking for granted the rights granted by heaven.
For transport dost thou call on every hour,
For transport, do you call on every hour?
Lorenzo? At thy friend’s expense be wise;
Lorenzo? Be smart at the expense of your friend;
Lean not on earth; ’twill pierce thee to the heart;
Lean not on the earth; it will pierce you to the heart;
A broken reed, at best; but, oft, a spear;
A broken reed at best; but often a spear;
On its sharp point peace bleeds, and hope expires.
On its sharp point, peace suffers, and hope fades away.
Turn, hopeless thought! turn from her:—thought repell’d
Turn, hopeless thought! Turn away from her:—thought rejected
Resenting rallies, and wakes every woe.
Resenting gatherings, and awakening every sorrow.
Snatch’d ere thy prime! and in thy bridal hour! 150
Snatched away before your time! And just when you were about to get married!150
And when kind fortune, with thy lover, smiled! 151
And when good luck smiled upon you and your lover!151
And when high flavour’d thy fresh opening joys!
And when your fresh, delightful joys start to bloom!
And when blind man pronounced thy bliss complete!
And when the blind man declared your happiness complete!
And on a foreign shore; where strangers wept!
And on a foreign shore; where strangers cried!
Strangers to thee; and, more surprising still,
Strangers to you; and, even more surprising,
Strangers to kindness, wept: their eyes let fall
Strangers to kindness, wept: their eyes let fall
Inhuman tears: strange tears! that trickled down
Inhuman tears: weird tears! that ran down
From marble hearts! obdurate tenderness!
From marble hearts! stubborn tenderness!
A tenderness that call’d them more severe;
A tenderness that made them more strict;
In spite of nature’s soft persuasion, steel’d; 160
In spite of nature's gentle influence, hardened;
While nature melted, superstition raved;
While nature faded, superstition thrived;
That mourn’d the dead; and this denied a grave.
That mourned the dead; and this denied a grave.
Their sighs incensed; sighs foreign to the will!
Their sighs were filled with anger; sighs that were beyond control!
Their will the tiger suck’d, outraged the storm.
Their will the tiger sucked, outraged by the storm.
For oh! the cursed ungodliness of zeal!
For oh! the wickedness of blind enthusiasm!
While sinful flesh relented, spirit nursed
While the sinful flesh gave in, the spirit was nurtured.
In blind infallibility’s embrace,
In blind certainty's embrace,
The sainted spirit petrified the breast;
The holy spirit froze the heart;
Denied the charity of dust, to spread
Denied the charity of dust, to spread
O’er dust! a charity their dogs enjoy. 170
O'er dust! Their dogs enjoy a kind of charity. 170
What could I do? what succour? what resource?
What could I do? What help? What options?
With pious sacrilege, a grave I stole;
With religious disrespect, I took a grave;
With impious piety, that grave I wrong’d;
With false devotion, I disrespected that grave;
Short in my duty; coward in my grief!
Short in my duty; coward in my grief!
More like her murderer, than friend, I crept,
More like her murderer than her friend, I crept,
With soft-suspended step, and muffled deep
With a gentle, quiet step, and a muted depth
In midnight darkness, whisper’d my last sigh.
In the midnight darkness, I whispered my last sigh.
I whisper’d what should echo through their realms;
I whispered what should resonate throughout their worlds;
Nor writ her name, whose tomb should pierce the skies.
Nor write her name, whose tomb should reach the skies.
Presumptuous fear! How durst I dread her foes, 180
Presumptuous fear! How could I be afraid of her enemies,180
While nature’s loudest dictates I obey’d?
While I followed nature's loudest commands?
Pardon necessity, bless’d shade! of grief
Pardon my need, blessed shade! of sorrow
And indignation rival bursts I pour’d;
And I poured out bursts of indignation;
Half execration mingled with my prayer;
Half a curse mixed with my prayer;
Kindled at man, while I his God adored; 185
Kindled at man, while I his God adored;185
Sore grudged the savage land her sacred dust;
Sore resented the wild land her sacred dust;
Stamp’d the cursed soil; and with humanity
Stamp’d the cursed soil; and with humanity
(Denied Narcissa) wish’d them all a grave.
(Denied Narcissa) wished them all a grave.
Glows my resentment into guilt? What guilt
Glows my resentment into guilt? What guilt?
Can equal violations of the dead?
Can equal violations apply to the dead?
The dead how sacred! Sacred is the dust
The dead are so sacred! Sacred is the dust.
Of this heaven-labour’d form, erect, divine! 192
Of this heaven-crafted body, standing tall, divine!192
This heaven-assumed majestic robe of earth,
This majestic robe of earth, which seems like heaven,
He deign’d to wear, who hung the vast expanse
He chose to wear, who stretched the great expanse
With azure bright, and clothed the sun in gold.
With bright blue skies, and the sun dressed in gold.
When every passion sleeps that can offend;
When every passion that could cause offense is at rest;
When strikes us every motive that can melt;
When every motive that can move us hits.
When man can wreak his rancour uncontroll’d,
When a person can unleash their anger without restraint,
That strongest curb on insult and ill-will;
That strongest check on insult and bad feelings;
Then, spleen to dust? the dust of innocence? 200
Then, is anger reduced to dust? The dust of innocence?200
An angel’s dust?—This Lucifer transcends;
An angel's dust?—This Lucifer rises;
When he contended for the patriarch’s bones,
When he argued for the patriarch’s remains,
’Twas not the strife of malice, but of pride;
It wasn't a conflict of hatred, but of pride;
The strife of pontiff pride, not pontiff gall.
The struggle of papal pride, not papal arrogance.
Far less than this is shocking in a race
Far less than this is surprising in a race.
Most wretched, but from streams of mutual love;
Most miserable, but rooted in streams of shared love;
And uncreated, but for love divine;
And uncreated, except for divine love;
And, but for love divine, this moment, lost,
And if it weren't for divine love, this moment would be lost.
By fate resorb’d, and sunk in endless night.
By fate absorbed and lost in endless darkness.
Man hard of heart to man! of horrid things 210
Man hard of heart to man! Of horrifying things210
Most horrid! ’mid stupendous, highly strange!
Most horrific! In the midst of something incredibly strange!
Yet oft his courtesies are smoother wrongs;
Yet often his polite gestures are just disguised slights;
Pride brandishes the favours He confers,
Pride shows off the blessings He gives,
And contumelious his humanity:
And disrespectful to his humanity:
What then his vengeance? Hear it not, ye stars!
What then is his revenge? Don’t let it be heard, you stars!
And thou, pale moon! turn paler at the sound;
And you, pale moon! grow even paler at the sound;
Man is to man the sorest, surest ill.
Man is the greatest, most certain source of suffering for other men.
A previous blast foretells the rising storm;
A previous explosion signals the coming storm;
O’erwhelming turrets threaten ere they fall; 219
Ominous towers loom menacingly before collapsing;219
Volcanos bellow ere they disembogue;
Volcanoes rumble before they erupt;
Earth trembles ere her yawning jaws devour;
Earth trembles before her gaping jaws consume;
And smoke betrays the wide-consuming fire:
And smoke reveals the big, all-consuming fire:
Ruin from man is most conceal’d when near,
Ruin from man is most hidden when close,
And sends the dreadful tidings in the blow.
And delivers the terrible news with the strike.
Is this the flight of fancy? Would it were!
Is this just a wild imagination? I wish it were!
Heaven’s Sovereign saves all beings, but himself,
Heaven's Sovereign saves everyone, but not himself,
That hideous sight, a naked human heart.
That terrible sight, a bare human heart.
Fired is the Muse? And let the Muse be fired:
Fired is the Muse? And let the Muse be fired:
Who not inflamed, when what he speaks, he feels,
Who isn’t moved when what they say is what they truly feel,
And in the nerve most tender, in his friends? 230
And in the most sensitive spot, in his friends?
Shame to mankind! Philander had his foes;
Shame on humanity! Philander had his enemies;
He felt the truths I sing, and I in him.
He felt the truths I sing, and I felt them in him.
But he, nor I, feel more: past ills, Narcissa!
But neither he nor I feel any more: past hurts, Narcissa!
Are sunk in thee, thou recent wound of heart!
Are stuck in you, you recent wound of the heart!
Which bleeds with other cares, with other pangs;
Which is filled with other worries, with other pains;
Pangs numerous, as the numerous ills that swarm’d
Pangs are as many as the countless troubles that crowd in.
O’er thy distinguish’d fate, and, clustering there
O'er your distinguished fate, and gathering there
Thick as the locusts on the land of Nile,
Thick as the locusts in the Nile region,
Made death more deadly, and more dark the grave.
Made death more lethal, and the grave even darker.
Reflect (if not forgot my touching tale) 240
Reflect (if not forgot my touching tale)240
How was each circumstance with aspics arm’d?
How was each situation with aspics handled?
An aspic, each! and all, a hydra woe:
An aspic, each one and all, a many-headed sorrow:
What strong Herculean virtue could suffice?—
What powerful Herculean quality could be enough?—
Or is it virtue to be conquer’d here?
Or is it a virtue to be defeated here?
This hoary cheek a train of tears bedews;
This old cheek is wet with a stream of tears;
And each tear mourns its own distinct distress;
And every tear expresses its own unique sorrow;
And each distress, distinctly mourn’d, demands
And each sorrow, clearly grieved, requires
Of grief still more, as heighten’d by the whole.
Of grief even more, intensified by everything.
A grief like this proprietors excludes:
A grief like this owners can't share:
Not friends alone such obsequies deplore; 250
Not just friends mourn these ceremonies;
They make mankind the mourner; carry sighs
They make humanity the one who grieves; carry sighs
Far as the fatal fame can wing her way;
As far as the deadly fame can fly;
And turn the gayest thought of gayest age, 253
And change the happiest idea of the happiest time,253
Down their right channel, through the vale of death.
Down their right path, through the valley of death.
The vale of death! that hush’d Cimmerian vale,
The valley of death! that quiet Cimmerian valley,
Where darkness, brooding o’er unfinish’d fates
Where darkness, looming over unfinished fates
With raven wing incumbent, waits the day
With dark wings overhead, the day awaits.
(Dread day!) that interdicts all future change!
(Dread day!) that forbids any future change!
That subterranean world, that land of ruin!
That underground world, that place of decay!
Fit walk, Lorenzo, for proud human thought!
Fit walk, Lorenzo, for proud human thought!
There let my thought expatiate, and explore 261
There, let my thoughts wander and explore261
Balsamic truths, and healing sentiments,
Balsamic truths and healing thoughts,
Of all most wanted, and most welcome, here.
Of all the things we desire and appreciate the most, this is it.
For gay Lorenzo’s sake, and for thy own,
For the sake of gay Lorenzo, and for your own,
My soul! “the fruits of dying friends survey;
My soul! "Look at the impact of dying friends;
Expose the vain of life; weigh life and death;
Expose the emptiness of life; evaluate life and death;
Give death his eulogy; thy fear subdue;
Give death his eulogy; conquer your fear;
And labour that first palm of noble minds,
And work, the first reward for great thinkers,
A manly scorn of terror from the tomb.”
A strong disdain for fear of the grave.
This harvest reap from thy Narcissa’s grave. 270
This harvest comes from Narcissa's grave.270
As poets feign’d from Ajax’ streaming blood
As poets imagined from Ajax's flowing blood
Arose, with grief inscribed, a mournful flower;
Arose, with grief marked, a sorrowful flower;
Let wisdom blossom from my mortal wound.
Let wisdom grow from my mortal wound.
And first, of dying friends; what fruit from these?
And first, about dying friends; what do we gain from them?
It brings us more than triple aid; an aid
It brings us over three times the support; support
To chase our thoughtlessness, fear, pride, and guilt.
To confront our carelessness, fear, pride, and guilt.
Our dying friends come o’er us like a cloud,
Our dying friends come to us like a cloud,
To damp our brainless ardours; and abate
To tone down our mindless passions; and lessen
That glare of life, which often blinds the wise.
That harsh light of life that often blinds the wise.
Our dying friends are pioneers, to smooth 280
Our dying friends are trailblazers, to ease
Our rugged pass to death; to break those bars
Our tough path to death; to break through those barriers
Of terror, and abhorrence, nature throws
Of terror and disgust, nature reveals
Cross our obstructed way; and, thus to make
Cross our blocked path; and, thus to make
Welcome, as safe, our port from every storm.
Welcome, safe and sound, to our harbor from every storm.
Each friend by fate snatch’d from us, is a plume
Each friend taken from us by fate is like a feather.
Pluck’d from the wing of human vanity,
Plucked from the realm of human vanity,
Which makes us stoop from our aërial heights, 287
Which makes us lower ourselves from our lofty heights,287
And, damp’d with omen of our own decease,
And, weighed down by the sign of our own end,
On drooping pinions of ambition lower’d,
On drooping wings of ambition lowered,
Just skim earth’s surface, ere we break it up,
Just skim the earth's surface before we break it apart,
O’er putrid earth to scratch a little dust,
O'er rotten ground to scratch a bit of dirt,
And save the world a nuisance. Smitten friends
And spare the world a hassle. Infatuated friends
Are angels sent on errands full of love;
Are angels sent on tasks filled with love;
For us they languish, and for us they die:
For us, they suffer, and for us, they die:
And shall they languish, shall they die, in vain?
And will they suffer, will they die, for no reason?
Ungrateful, shall we grieve their hovering shades,
Ungrateful, should we mourn their lingering spirits,
Which wait the revolution in our hearts?
Which wait for the revolution in our hearts?
Shall we disdain their silent soft address;
Shall we look down on their quiet, gentle way of speaking;
Their posthumous advice, and pious prayer?
Their advice after death, and heartfelt prayer?
Senseless, as herds that graze their hallow’d graves, 300
Senseless, like herds that graze on their sacred graves,300
Tread under foot their agonies and groans;
Tread on their pain and cries;
Frustrate their anguish, and destroy their deaths?
Frustrate their pain and end their suffering?
Lorenzo! no; the thought of death indulge;
Lorenzo! No; I can't entertain the thought of death;
Give it its wholesome empire! let it reign,
Give it its wholesome empire! Let it reign,
That kind chastiser of thy soul in joy!
That kind of punisher of your soul in joy!
Its reign will spread thy glorious conquests far,
Its reign will spread your glorious victories far,
And still the tumults of thy ruffled breast:
And still the turmoil of your troubled heart:
Auspicious era! golden days, begin!
Good times ahead! Let’s start!
The thought of death shall, like a god, inspire.
The idea of death should, like a deity, motivate.
And why not think on death? Is life the theme 310
And why not think about death? Is life the theme310
Of every thought? and wish of every hour?
Of every thought and wish of every hour?
And song of every joy? Surprising truth!
And the song of every joy? What a surprising truth!
The beaten spaniel’s fondness not so strange.
The beaten spaniel's affection is not so unusual.
To wave the numerous ills that seize on life
To wave away the many problems that take hold of life
As their own property, their lawful prey;
As their own possession, their legal target;
Ere man has measured half his weary stage,
Ere man has measured half his weary stage,
His luxuries have left him no reserve,
His luxuries have left him with no savings,
No maiden relishes, unbroach’d delights;
No girl enjoys untouched pleasures;
On cold served repetitions he subsists,
On cold, served repetitions he survives,
And in the tasteless present chews the past; 320
And in the bland present chews the past;320
Disgusted chews, and scarce can swallow down. 321
Disgusted chews, and barely can swallow down.321
Like lavish ancestors, his earlier years
Like extravagant ancestors, his early years
Have disinherited his future hours,
Have given up his future hours,
Which starve on orts, and glean their former field.
Which starve on scraps, and pick through their old fields.
Live ever here, Lorenzo?—shocking thought!
Live here forever, Lorenzo?—shocking thought!
So shocking, they who wish, disown it too;
So shocking, they who want to, reject it too;
Disown from shame what they from folly crave.
Disown what they desire out of foolishness because of shame.
Live ever in the womb, nor see the light?
Live forever in the womb, never seeing the light?
For what live ever here?—With labouring step
For what do we live here?—With a struggling step
To tread our former footsteps? pace the round 330
To walk in our old footsteps? Walk around
Eternal? to climb life’s worn, heavy wheel,
Eternal? to climb life’s worn-out, heavy wheel,
Which draws up nothing new? to beat, and beat
Which brings nothing new? to strike, and strike
The beaten track? to bid each wretched day
The beaten path? To say goodbye to each miserable day
The former mock? to surfeit on the same,
The previous joke? To indulge in the same thing,
And yawn our joys? or thank a misery
And yawn at our joys? or appreciate a hardship?
For change, though sad? to see what we have seen?
For change, though it's sad? to see what we've seen?
Hear, till unheard, the same old slabber’d tale?
Hear, until you've heard it all, the same old messy story?
To taste the tasted, and at each return
To experience what has already been experienced, and with each return
Less tasteful? o’er our palates to decant
Less tasteful? over our palates to pour.
Another vintage? strain a flatter year, 340
Another vintage? strain a flatter year,340
Through loaded vessels, and a laxer tone?
Through loaded vessels, and a more relaxed tone?
Crazy machines to grind earth’s wasted fruits!
Crazy machines to grind the earth's wasted fruits!
Ill-ground, and worse concocted! load, not life!
Ill-timed, and even worse planned! burden, not living!
The rational foul kennels of excess!
The reasonable dirty dog kennels of excess!
Still-streaming thoroughfares of dull debauch!
Boring party streets are still streaming!
Trembling each gulp, lest death should snatch the bowl.
Trembling with every sip, afraid that death would take the bowl away.
Such of our fine ones is the wish refined!
That's our great wish!
So would they have it: elegant desire!
So they would have it: refined desire!
Why not invite the bellowing stalls, and wilds?
Why not invite the roaring crowds and the wilderness?
But such examples might their riot awe. 350
But such examples might awe their riot.350
Through want of virtue, that is, want of thought
Through a lack of virtue, meaning a lack of thought
(Though on bright thought they father all their flights),
(Though with bright thoughts they father all their flights),
To what are they reduced? To love, and hate,
To what have they been brought down? To love and hate,
The same vain world; to censure, and espouse,
The same shallow world; to criticize and embrace,
This painted shrew of life, who calls them fool 355
This painted shrew of life, who calls them fools355
Each moment of each day; to flatter bad
Each moment of each day; to flatter bad
Through dread of worse; to cling to this rude rock,
Through fear of something worse; to hold on to this rough rock,
Barren, to them, of good, and sharp with ills,
Barren, for them, of goodness, and harsh with troubles,
And hourly blacken’d with impending storms,
And every hour darkened by looming storms,
And infamous for wrecks of human hope—
And known for destroying human hope—
Scared at the gloomy gulf, that yawns beneath,
Scared of the dark abyss that opens up below,
Such are their triumphs! such their pangs of joy! 362
Such are their victories! Such are their bursts of joy!362
’Tis time, high time, to shift this dismal scene.
It's time, high time, to change this gloomy situation.
This hugg’d, this hideous state, what art can cure?
This embraced, this terrible condition, what skill can fix?
One only; but that one, what all may reach;
One only; but that one, which everyone can reach;
Virtue—she, wonder-working goddess! charms
Virtue—she, amazing goddess! charms
That rock to bloom; and tames the painted shrew;
That rock blooms and calms the painted shrew;
And what will more surprise, Lorenzo! gives
And what will surprise you even more, Lorenzo! gives
To life’s sick, nauseous iteration, change;
To life’s sickening, nauseous version, change;
And straightens nature’s circle to a line. 370
And straightens nature’s circle into a line.370
Believest thou this, Lorenzo? lend an ear,
Believe this, Lorenzo? Listen up,
A patient ear, thou’lt blush to disbelieve.
A patient ear, you'll be embarrassed to doubt.
A languid, leaden iteration reigns,
A slow, heavy version dominates,
And ever must, o’er those, whose joys are joys
And always must, over those whose joys are joys
Of sight, smell, taste: the cuckoo-seasons sing
Of sight, smell, and taste: the cuckoo seasons sing
The same dull note to such as nothing prize,
The same boring note that nobody values,
But what those seasons, from the teeming earth,
But what those seasons, from the bustling earth,
To doating sense indulge. But nobler minds,
To indulge in a sense of affection. But greater minds,
Which relish fruits unripen’d by the sun,
Which tasty fruits are not ripened by the sun,
Make their days various; various as the dyes 380
Make their days diverse; as diverse as the dyes380
On the dove’s neck, which wanton in his rays.
On the dove’s neck, which lounges in his rays.
On minds of dove-like innocence possess’d,
On minds filled with innocent peace,
On lighten’d minds, that bask in virtue’s beams,
On enlightened minds, that bask in the light of virtue,
Nothing hangs tedious, nothing old revolves
Nothing feels boring, nothing outdated goes in circles.
In that for which they long, for which they live.
In what they desire, in what they live for.
Their glorious efforts, wing’d with heavenly hope,
Their amazing efforts, fueled by heavenly hope,
Each rising morning sees still higher rise;
Each morning that comes brings an even greater rise;
Each bounteous dawn its novelty presents
Each generous dawn brings something new.
To worth maturing, new strength, lustre, fame; 389
To be worth developing, new strength, shine, fame;389
While nature’s circle, like a chariot-wheel
While nature’s cycle, like a chariot wheel
Rolling beneath their elevated aims,
Rolling under their high aspirations,
Makes their fair prospect fairer every hour;
Makes their good outlook better every hour;
Advancing virtue, in a line to bliss;
Cultivating virtue leads to happiness;
Virtue, which Christian motives best inspire!
Virtue, which is best inspired by Christian values!
And bliss, which Christian schemes alone ensure!
And happiness, which only Christian plans guarantee!
And shall we then, for virtue’s sake, commence
And should we then, for the sake of virtue, begin
Apostates, and turn infidels for joy?
Apostates, and become nonbelievers for joy?
A truth it is, few doubt, but fewer trust,
A truth it is, few doubt, but fewer trust,
“He sins against this life, who slights the next.”
“He goes against this life who disregards the next.”
What is this life? How few their favourite know! 400
What is this life? How few know their favorites!400
Fond in the dark, and blind in our embrace,
Fond in the dark, and blind in our embrace,
By passionately loving life, we make
By passionately loving life, we make
Loved life unlovely; hugging her to death.
Loved life in its imperfections; embracing it fully.
We give to time eternity’s regard;
We give time the respect it deserves from eternity;
And, dreaming, take our passage for our port.
And, dreaming, we take our journey to our destination.
Life has no value as an end, but means;
Life has no value as a goal, but as a means;
An end deplorable! a means divine!
A terrible ending! A divine means!
When ’tis our all, ’tis nothing; worse than nought;
When it's everything we have, it's nothing; even worse than nothing;
A nest of pains: when held as nothing, much:
A bunch of troubles: when seen as nothing, it becomes a lot:
Like some fair humorists, life is most enjoy’d, 410
Like some funny people, life is most enjoyed,410
When courted least; most worth, when disesteem’d;
When you’re least pursued, you’re the most valuable; when you’re undervalued;
Then ’tis the seat of comfort, rich in peace;
Then it’s a place of comfort, abundant in peace;
In prospect richer far; important! awful!
In the future, it looks much more promising; significant! terrible!
Not to be mention’d, but with shouts of praise!
Not to be mentioned, but with shouts of praise!
Not to be thought on, but with tides of joy!
Not to be considered, but with waves of happiness!
The mighty basis of eternal bliss!
The powerful foundation of everlasting happiness!
Where now the barren rock? the painted shrew?
Where's the barren rock now? The painted shrew?
Where now, Lorenzo! life’s eternal round?
Where are you now, Lorenzo? The never-ending cycle of life?
Have I not made my triple promise good?
Have I not kept my triple promise?
Vain is the world; but only to the vain. 420
Vain is the world; but only to those who are vain.420
To what compare we then this varying scene,
To what should we compare this changing scene,
Whose worth ambiguous rises, and declines?
Whose value is unclear, fluctuating up and down?
Waxes, and wanes? (In all propitious, night 423
Waxes and wanes? (In all good fortune, night423
Assists me here) compare it to the moon;
Assists me here) compare it to the moon;
Dark in herself, and indigent; but rich
Dark in herself and impoverished; yet wealthy
In borrow’d lustre from a higher sphere.
In borrowed light from a higher realm.
When gross guilt interposes, labouring earth,
When heavy guilt gets in the way, working hard on the land,
O’ershadow’d, mourns a deep eclipse of joy;
Overshadowed, it grieves a deep loss of joy;
Her joys, at brightest, pallid, to that font
Her joys, at their brightest, pale in comparison to that source
Of full effulgent glory, whence they flow. 430
Of bright, shining glory, where they come from.430
Nor is that glory distant: Oh, Lorenzo!
Nor is that glory far away: Oh, Lorenzo!
A good man, and an angel! these between
A good man and an angel! These are the contrasts...
How thin the barrier! What divides their fate?
How thin the barrier! What separates their fate?
Perhaps a moment, or perhaps a year:
Perhaps a moment, or maybe a year:
Or, if an age, it is a moment still;
Or, if it’s an era, it’s still just a moment;
A moment, or eternity’s forgot.
A moment, or eternity forgotten.
Then be, what once they were, who now are gods;
Then be what they once were, who are now gods;
Be what Philander was, and claim the skies.
Be what Philander was and take your place among the stars.
Starts timid nature at the gloomy pass?
Starts timid nature at the gloomy pass?
The soft transition call it; and be cheer’d: 440
The gentle transition, let's call it, and be uplifted:440
Such it is often, and why not to thee?
Such is often the case, and why not for you?
To hope the best, is pious, brave, and wise;
To hope for the best is noble, courageous, and smart;
And may itself procure, what it presumes.
And may it itself achieve what it thinks it can.
Life is much flatter’d, death is much traduced;
Life is much more bland, death is much misrepresented;
Compare the rivals, and the kinder crown.
Compare the competitors, and the gentler crown.
“Strange competition!”—True, Lorenzo! strange!
"Odd competition!"—True, Lorenzo! odd!
So little life can cast into the scale.
So little life can weigh against the balance.
Life makes the soul dependent on the dust;
Life makes the soul reliant on the dust;
Death gives her wings to mount above the spheres.
Death gives her wings to rise above the heavens.
Through chinks, styled organs, dim life peeps at light;
Through openings, shaped like organs, dim life looks out at the light;
Death bursts th’ involving cloud, and all is day; 451
Death breaks through the surrounding cloud, and everything is bright; 451
All eye, all ear, the disembodied power.
All eyes, all ears, the detached force.
Death has feign’d evils, nature shall not feel;
Death has pretended to bring suffering, but nature will not feel it;
Life, ills substantial, wisdom cannot shun.
Life has significant challenges that wisdom cannot avoid.
Is not the mighty mind, that son of heaven!
Isn't the powerful mind, that child of heaven!
By tyrant life dethroned, imprison’d, pain’d?
By a tyrant life brought down, locked up, and in pain?
By death enlarged, ennobled, deified? 457
By death made greater, honored, divine?
Death but entombs the body; life the soul.
Death only buries the body; life carries the soul.
“Is Death then guiltless? How he marks his way
“Is Death then guiltless? Look at how he marks his way
With dreadful waste of what deserves to shine!
With a terrible waste of what deserves to shine!
Art, genius, fortune, elevated power!
Art, talent, wealth, elevated power!
With various lustres these light up the world,
With different shines, these light up the world,
Which Death puts out, and darkens human race.” 463
Which Death extinguishes, and brings darkness to humanity.”463
I grant, Lorenzo! this indictment just:
I agree, Lorenzo! this accusation is fair:
The sage, peer, potentate, king, conqueror!
The wise one, friend, powerful leader, king, victor!
Death humbles these; more barbarous life, the man.
Death humbles these; more savage life, the man.
Life is the triumph of our mouldering clay;
Life is the victory of our decaying flesh;
Death, of the spirit infinite! divine!
Death, of the limitless spirit! heavenly!
Death has no dread, but what frail life imparts;
Death isn't scary, but what fragile life gives us;
Nor life true joy, but what kind death improves. 470
Nor is life true joy, but whatever kind of death enhances it.470
No bliss has life to boast, till death can give
No happiness can claim life, until death offers.
Far greater; life’s a debtor to the grave,
Far greater; life owes a debt to the grave,
Dark lattice! letting in eternal day.
Dark lattice! allowing in endless light.
Lorenzo! blush at fondness for a life,
Lorenzo! blush at the affection for a life,
Which sends celestial souls on errands vile,
Which sends heavenly beings on wicked missions,
To cater for the sense; and serve at boards,
To satisfy the senses and provide service at tables,
Where every ranger of the wilds, perhaps
Where every ranger of the wilds, perhaps
Each reptile, justly claims our upper hand.
Each reptile rightly claims our dominance.
Luxurious feast! a soul, a soul immortal,
Luxury feast! an immortal soul,
In all the dainties of a brute bemired! 480
In all the treats of a filthy beast!480
Lorenzo! blush at terror for a death,
Lorenzo! blushing with fear at the thought of death,
Which gives thee to repose in festive bowers,
Which allows you to relax in festive groves,
Where nectars sparkle, angels minister,
Where drinks shine, angels serve,
And more than angels share, and raise, and crown,
And more than angels share, and uplift, and celebrate,
And eternize, the birth, bloom, bursts of bliss.
And make eternal the birth, bloom, and outbursts of joy.
What need I more? O Death, the palm is thine.
What more do I need? Oh Death, the victory is yours.
Then welcome, Death! thy dreaded harbingers,
Then welcome, Death! your feared messengers,
Age and disease; disease, though long my guest;
Age and illness; illness, even though it's been with me for a long time;
That plucks my nerves, those tender strings of life;
That gets on my nerves, those delicate strings of life;
Which, pluck’d a little more, will toll the bell, 490
Which, pulled a little more, will ring the bell,490
That calls my few friends to my funeral; 491
That brings my few friends to my funeral; 491
Where feeble nature drops, perhaps, a tear,
Where weak nature might shed a tear,
While reason and religion, better taught,
While reason and religion, better understood,
Congratulate the dead, and crown his tomb
Congratulate the deceased, and place a crown on his grave.
With wreath triumphant. Death is victory;
With a triumphant wreath. Death is victory;
It binds in chains the raging ills of life:
It ties up the fierce troubles of life:
Lust and ambition, wrath and avarice,
Lust and ambition, anger and greed,
Dragg’d at his chariot-wheel, applaud his power.
Dragged at his chariot wheel, praise his power.
That ills corrosive, cares importunate,
That illness is corrosive, cares are persistent,
Are not immortal too, O Death! is thine. 500
Are not immortal too, O Death! is yours.500
Our day of dissolution!—name it right;
Our day of breaking up!—call it what it is;
’Tis our great pay-day; ’tis our harvest, rich
’It's our big payday; it's our harvest, abundant
And ripe: what though the sickle, sometimes keen,
And ripe: so what if the sickle is sometimes sharp,
Just scars us as we reap the golden grain?
Just scars us as we harvest the golden grain?
More than thy balm, O Gilead! heals the wound.
More than your balm, O Gilead! heals the wound.
Birth’s feeble cry, and death’s deep dismal groan,
Birth's faint cry, and death's deep, sorrowful moan,
Are slender tributes low-tax’d nature pays
Are slender gifts that nature gives with low taxes
For mighty gain: the gain of each, a life!
For great reward: the reward of each, a life!
But O! the last the former so transcends,
But oh! the last one is so much greater than the former,
Life dies, compared; life lives beyond the grave. 510
Life ends, but life continues beyond the grave.510
And feel I, Death! no joy from thought of thee?
And I feel, Death! Is there no joy in thinking about you?
Death, the great counsellor, who man inspires
Death, the great advisor, who inspires humanity
With every nobler thought, and fairer deed!
With every higher thought and better action!
Death, the deliverer, who rescues man!
Death, the savior, who frees us!
Death, the rewarder, who the rescued crowns!
Death, the one who rewards, who crowns the rescued!
Death, that absolves my birth; a curse without it!
Death, which frees me from my birth; a curse without it!
Rich death, that realises all my cares,
Rich death, that fulfills all my worries,
Toils, virtues, hopes; without it a chimera!
Toils, virtues, hopes; without them a fantasy!
Death, of all pain the period, not of joy;
Death is, above all, a painful end, not a cause for joy;
Joy’s source, and subject, still subsist unhurt; 520
Joy’s source and subject still exist unharmed; 520
One, in my soul; and one, in her great Sire;
One, within my soul; and one, within her great Lord;
Though the four winds were warring for my dust.
Though the four winds were battling for my remains.
Yes, and from winds, and waves, and central night,
Yes, and from winds, and waves, and deep night,
Though prison’d there, my dust too I reclaim
Though I'm trapped here, I also take back my own remains.
(To dust when drop proud nature’s proudest spheres),
(To dust when we drop nature’s proudest spheres),
And live entire. Death is the crown of life: 526
And live fully. Death is the ultimate part of life:526
Were death denied, poor man would live in vain;
Were death denied, a poor man would live in vain;
Were death denied, to live would not be life;
Were death denied, living would not be truly living;
Were death denied, even fools would wish to die.
Were death denied, even the foolish would want to die.
Death wounds to cure: we fall; we rise; we reign!
Death wounds to cure: we fall; we rise; we reign!
Spring from our fetters; fasten in the skies;
Spring from our chains; soar into the sky;
Where blooming Eden withers in our sight:
Where blooming Eden fades before our eyes:
Death gives us more than was in Eden lost.
Death offers us more than what was lost in Eden.
This king of terrors is the prince of peace.
This king of horrors is the ruler of tranquility.
When shall I die to vanity, pain, death?
When will I die to vanity, pain, and death?
When shall I die?—When shall I live for ever? 536
When will I die?—When will I live forever?536
THE
CHRISTIAN TRIUMPH:
CONTAINS
OUR ONLY CURE FOR THE FEAR OF DEATH;
AND
PROPER SENTIMENTS OF HEART ON THAT
INESTIMABLE BLESSING.
TO THE
HONOURABLE MR YORKE.
TO THE
HONORABLE MR. YORKE.
NIGHT FOURTH.
NIGHT 4.
THE CHRISTIAN TRIUMPH.
A much-indebted muse, O Yorke! intrudes.
A heavily indebted muse, O Yorke! intrudes.
Amid the smiles of fortune, and of youth,
Amid the smiles of luck and of youth,
Thine ear is patient of a serious song.
Your ear is open to a serious song.
How deep implanted in the breast of man
How deeply rooted in the heart of man
The dread of death! I sing its sovereign cure.
The fear of death! I celebrate its ultimate remedy.
Why start at Death? Where is he? Death arrived,
Why start with Death? Where is he? Death showed up,
Is past; not come, or gone, he’s never here.
Is past; not come, or gone, he’s never here.
Ere hope, sensation fails; black-boding man
Ere hope, sensation fails; black-boding man
Receives, not suffers, Death’s tremendous blow.
Receives, not endures, Death’s overwhelming strike.
The knell, the shroud, the mattock, and the grave; 10
The bell tolls, the burial cloth, the digging tool, and the grave;10
The deep damp vault, the darkness, and the worm;
The deep, damp vault, the darkness, and the worm;
These are the bugbears of a winter’s eve,
These are the worries of a winter evening,
The terrors of the living, not the dead.
The fears of the living, not the dead.
Imagination’s fool, and error’s wretch,
Imagination’s fool and error’s victim,
Man makes a death, which nature never made;
Man creates a death that nature never intended;
Then on the point of his own fancy falls;
Then he gets stuck on his own whims;
And feels a thousand deaths, in fearing one.
And feels a thousand deaths, in fearing one.
But were death frightful, what has age to fear?
But if death is scary, what does old age have to be afraid of?
If prudent, age should meet the friendly foe,
If wise, age should face the friendly enemy,
And shelter in his hospitable gloom. 20
And find refuge in his welcoming darkness.20
I scarce can meet a monument, but holds
I can hardly come across a monument that doesn't hold
My younger; every date cries—“Come away.”
My younger self; every date says—“Let’s go.”
And what recalls me? Look the world around,
And what reminds me? Look at the world around,
And tell me what: the wisest cannot tell.
And let me tell you this: even the wisest cannot explain it.
Should any born of woman give his thought
Should anyone born of a woman offer their thoughts
Full range, on just dislike’s unbounded field;
Full range, on just dislike's endless expanse;
Of things, the vanity; of men, the flaws;
Of things, the vanity; of people, the flaws;
Flaws in the best; the many, flaw all o’er;
Flaws in the best; everyone has flaws all over;
As leopards, spotted, or, as Ethiops, dark;
As leopards, with spots, or, like Ethiopians, dark;
Vivacious ill; good dying immature; 30
Vivacious but unwell; good dying young; 30
(How immature, Narcissa’s marble tells!)
(How immature, Narcissa’s marble says!)
And at his death bequeathing endless pain;
And at his death leaving behind endless pain;
His heart, though bold, would sicken at the sight,
His heart, even though brave, would feel sick at the sight,
And spend itself in sighs, for future scenes.
And waste itself in sighs, for what’s to come.
But grant to life (and just it is to grant
But grant to life (and it’s fair to grant
To lucky life) some perquisites of joy;
To a lucky life, some perks of joy;
A time there is, when, like a thrice-told tale,
A time comes when, like a story that's been told three times,
Long-rifled life of sweet can yield no more,
Long, smooth life of sweetness can give no more,
But from our comment on the comedy,
But from our comment on the comedy,
Pleasing reflections on parts well sustain’d, 40
Pleasant thoughts on well-kept aspects, 40
Or purposed emendations where we fail’d,
Or intended changes where we messed up,
Or hopes of plaudits from our candid Judge,
Or hopes of praise from our honest Judge,
When, on their exit, souls are bid unrobe,
When they leave, souls are asked to take off their clothes,
Toss fortune back her tinsel, and her plume,
Toss fortune back her glitter and her feather,
And drop this mask of flesh behind the scene.
And leave this mask of flesh behind the scene.
With me, that time is come; my world is dead;
With me, that time has come; my world is dead;
A new world rises, and new manners reign:
A new world is emerging, and new ways of doing things are taking over:
Foreign comedians, a spruce band! arrive,
Foreign comedians, a sharp group! arrive,
To push me from the scene, or hiss me there.
To shove me out of the picture or boo me there.
What a pert race starts up! the strangers gaze, 50
What a lively crowd is gathering! The strangers stare, 50
And I at them; my neighbour is unknown;
And I looked at them; my neighbor is unknown;
Nor that the worst: ah me! the dire effect
Nor that the worst: oh no! the terrible outcome
Of loitering here, of Death defrauded long;
Of hanging around here, of Death cheated for a long time;
Of old so gracious (and let that suffice), 54
Of old so gracious (and let that suffice),54
My very master knows me not.—
My master doesn’t know me at all.—
Shall I dare say, peculiar is the fate?
Shall I dare say, strange is the fate?
I’ve been so long remember’d, I’m forgot.
I’ve been remembered for so long that I’m forgotten.
An object ever pressing dims the sight,
An object constantly pushing blurs the vision,
And hides behind its ardour to be seen.
And conceals itself behind its eagerness to be noticed.
When in his courtiers’ ears I pour my plaint, 60
When I share my complaints in the ears of my courtiers, 60
They drink it as the nectar of the great;
They drink it like the nectar of the gods;
And squeeze my hand, and beg me come to-morrow.
And squeeze my hand, and beg me to come tomorrow.
Refusal! canst thou wear a smoother form?
Refusal! Can you take on a gentler shape?
Indulge me, nor conceive I drop my theme:
Indulge me, and don’t think I've abandoned my topic:
Who cheapens life, abates the fear of death:
Who cheapens life reduces the fear of death:
Twice told the period spent on stubborn Troy,
Twice told the time spent on stubborn Troy,
Court favour, yet untaken, I besiege;
Court favor, yet unclaimed, I pursue;
Ambition’s ill-judged effort to be rich.
Ambition's misguided attempt to get rich.
Alas! ambition makes my little less;
Alas! ambition diminishes me a bit;
Embittering the possess’d: Why wish for more? 70
Embittering the possessed: Why want more?70
Wishing, of all employments, is the worst;
Wishing, out of all activities, is the worst;
Philosophy’s reverse; and health’s decay!
Philosophy's downfall; and health's decline!
Were I as plump as stall’d theology,
Were I as plump as stalled theology,
Wishing would waste me to this shade again.
Wishing would bring me back to this darkness again.
Were I as wealthy as a South Sea dream,
Were I as rich as a fantasy from the South Seas,
Wishing is an expedient to be poor.
Wishing is a quick way to stay broke.
Wishing, that constant hectic of a fool;
Wishing, that never-ending hustle of a fool;
Caught at a court; purged off by purer air,
Caught in court; cleansed by fresh air,
And simpler diet; gifts of rural life!
And a simpler diet; the blessings of rural life!
Bless’d be that hand divine, which gently laid 80
Blessed be that divine hand, which gently laid
My heart at rest, beneath this humble shed.
My heart is at peace under this simple roof.
The world’s a stately bark, on dangerous seas,
The world is a grand ship, sailing on treacherous waters,
With pleasure seen, but boarded at our peril;
With pleasure in sight, but risky to pursue;
Here, on a single plank, thrown safe ashore,
Here, on a single board, placed securely on the shore,
I hear the tumult of the distant throng,
I hear the noise of the faraway crowd,
As that of seas remote, or dying storms:
As that of distant seas, or fading storms:
And meditate on scenes, more silent still;
And think about scenes that are even quieter;
Pursue my theme, and fight the fear of death. 88
Pursue my theme and confront the fear of death.88
Here, like a shepherd gazing from his hut,
Here, like a shepherd looking out from his hut,
Touching his reed, or leaning on his staff,
Touching his reed or leaning on his cane,
Eager ambition’s fiery chace I see;
Eager ambition's fiery chase I see;
I see the circling hunt, of noisy men,
I see the noisy men on their wild hunt,
Burst law’s enclosure, leap the mounds of right,
Burst through the law's barriers, jump over the mounds of righteousness,
Pursuing, and pursued, each other’s prey;
Pursuing and being pursued, each other’s targets;
As wolves, for rapine; as the fox, for wiles;
As wolves, for stealing; as the fox, for cunning;
Till Death, that mighty hunter, earths them all.
Till Death, that powerful hunter, claims them all.
Why all this toil for triumphs of an hour?
Why put in all this effort for fleeting victories?
What though we wade in wealth, or soar in fame?
What if we swim in wealth or rise in fame?
Earth’s highest station ends in “Here he lies:”
Earth’s highest point ends with “Here he lies:”
And “Dust to dust” concludes her noblest song. 100
And "Dust to dust" wraps up her greatest song.100
If this song lives, posterity shall know
If this song endures, future generations will know
One, though in Britain born, with courtiers bred,
One, even though born in Britain, raised among courtiers,
Who thought even gold might come a day too late;
Who thought even gold could arrive a day too late;
Nor on his subtle death-bed plann’d his scheme
Nor did he plot his scheme on his clever deathbed.
For future vacancies in Church or State;
For future openings in the Church or government;
Some avocation deeming it—to die,
Some calling it—to die,
Unbit by rage canine of dying rich;
Unbothered by the anger of a dying wealthy person;
Guilt’s blunder! and the loudest laugh of hell.
Guilt's mistake! and the loudest laugh from hell.
O my coevals! remnants of yourselves!
O my contemporaries! Pieces of yourselves!
Poor human ruins, tottering o’er the grave! 110
Poor human ruins, stumbling over the grave!110
Shall we, shall aged men, like aged trees,
Shall we, shall older men, like old trees,
Strike deeper their vile root, and closer cling,
Strike deeper their vile root, and hold on tighter,
Still more enamour’d of this wretched soil?
Still more in love with this miserable land?
Shall our pale, wither’d hands, be still stretch’d out,
Shall our pale, withered hands still be stretched out,
Trembling, at once, with eagerness and age?
Trembling, both with excitement and the weight of age?
With avarice, and convulsions, grasping hard?
With greed and convulsions, holding on tightly?
Grasping at air! for what has earth beside?
Grasping at air! What else does the earth have to offer?
Man wants but little; nor that little, long;
Man wants very little; and not for long.
How soon must he resign his very dust,
How soon must he give up his very existence,
Which frugal nature lent him for an hour! 120
Which frugal nature lent him for an hour!120
Years unexperienced rush on numerous ills;
Years of inexperience rush into many troubles;
And soon as man, expert from time, has found 122
And as soon as man, skilled from experience, has found122
The key of life, it opes the gates of death.
The key to life opens the doors to death.
When in this vale of years I backward look,
When I look back on my years in this life,
And miss such numbers, numbers too of such,
And miss such numbers, numbers too of such,
Firmer in health, and greener in their age,
Firmer in health and more vibrant in their age,
And stricter on their guard, and fitter far
And more vigilant, and much better suited
To play life’s subtle game, I scarce believe
To engage in life’s intricate game, I can hardly believe
I still survive: and am I fond of life,
I’m still alive, and do I love life,
Who scarce can think it possible, I live? 130
Who can hardly believe that I’m still alive?130
Alive by miracle! or, what is next,
Alive by miracle! or, what comes next,
Alive by Mead! if I am still alive,
Alive by Mead! if I am still alive,
Who long have buried what gives life to live,
Who has long buried what gives life to living,
Firmness of nerve, and energy of thought.
Firmness of resolve and strength of mind.
Life’s lee is not more shallow, than impure,
Life’s shelter is not shallower than it is unclean,
And vapid; sense and reason show the door,
And empty; common sense and logic take a hike,
Call for my bier, and point me to the dust.
Call for my coffin, and show me to the grave.
O thou great arbiter of life and death!
O you great judge of life and death!
Nature’s immortal, immaterial Sun!
Nature’s eternal, intangible Sun!
Whose all-prolific beam late call’d me forth 140
Whose all-powerful light called me out late
From darkness, teeming darkness, where I lay
From darkness, overwhelming darkness, where I lay
The worm’s inferior, and, in rank, beneath
The worm is lower in status and rank.
The dust I tread on, high to bear my brow,
The dust I walk on, high to lift my head,
To drink the spirit of the golden day,
To enjoy the essence of the beautiful day,
And triumph in existence; and could know
And celebrate life; and could understand
No motive, but my bliss; and hast ordain’d
No reason except my happiness; and you have decided
A rise in blessing! with the patriarch’s joy,
A surge of blessings! with the patriarch’s happiness,
Thy call I follow to the land unknown;
Your call I follow to the unknown land;
I trust in thee, and know in whom I trust;
I trust you and know in whom I trust;
Or life, or death, is equal; neither weighs: 150
Or life, or death, is the same; neither carries weight: 150
All weight in this—O let me live to thee!
All the weight in this—Oh, let me live for you!
Though nature’s terrors thus may be repress’d;
Though nature's fears can be held back;
Still frowns grim Death; guilt points the tyrant’s spear.
Still, grim Death frowns; guilt sharpens the tyrant’s spear.
And whence all human guilt? From death forgot.
And where does all human guilt come from? From forgotten death.
Ah me! too long I set at nought the swarm
Ah me! I’ve ignored the crowd for too long.
Of friendly warnings, which around me flew; 156
Of friendly warnings that surrounded me;
And smiled, unsmitten: small my cause to smile!
And smiled, unaffected: I have little reason to smile!
Death’s admonitions, like shafts upwards shot,
Death's warnings, like arrows shot up,
More dreadful by delay, the longer ere
More dreadful by delay, the longer before
They strike our hearts, the deeper is their wound;
They hit us hard, the deeper the hurt.
O think how deep, Lorenzo! here it stings:
O think how deep, Lorenzo! It really hurts here:
Who can appease its anguish? How it burns! 162
Who can calm its pain? It hurts so much!162
What hand the barb’d, envenom’d thought can draw?
What kind of pain can a sharp, poisonous thought cause?
What healing hand can pour the balm of peace?
What healing hand can provide the soothing balm of peace?
And turn my sight undaunted on the tomb?
And boldly set my eyes on the tomb?
With joy,—with grief, that healing hand I see;
With joy—and with sorrow, I see that healing hand;
Ah! too conspicuous! it is fix’d on high.
Ah! too obvious! it's set up high.
On high?—What means my phrensy? I blaspheme;
On high?—What does my madness mean? I’m blaspheming;
Alas! how low! how far beneath the skies!
Alas! how low! how far beneath the skies!
The skies it form’d; and now it bleeds for me— 170
The skies it created; and now it bleeds for me—170
But bleeds the balm I want—yet still it bleeds;
But the remedy I desire still hurts;
Draw the dire steel—ah, no! the dreadful blessing
Draw the terrible steel—oh, no! the awful blessing
What heart or can sustain, or dares forego?
What heart can endure, or dares to let go?
There hangs all human hope: that nail supports
There hangs all human hope: that nail supports
The falling universe: that gone, we drop;
The falling universe: once that's gone, we fall;
Horror receives us, and the dismal wish
Horror surrounds us, and the bleak desire
Creation had been smother’d in her birth—
Creation had been stifled at its birth—
Darkness his curtain, and his bed the dust;
Darkness is his curtain, and his bed is the dust;
When stars and sun are dust beneath his throne!
When stars and the sun are just dust beneath his throne!
In heaven itself can such indulgence dwell? 180
In heaven itself, can such indulgence exist?180
Oh, what a groan was there! a groan not his.
Oh, what a groan was there! A groan that wasn't his.
He seized our dreadful right; the load sustained;
He took on our terrible burden; the weight carried;
And heaved the mountain from a guilty world.
And lifted the burden of the mountain from a guilty world.
A thousand worlds, so bought, were bought too dear;
A thousand worlds, once purchased, came at too high a price;
Sensations new in angels’ bosoms rise;
Sensations new in angels' hearts arise;
Suspend their song; and make a pause in bliss.
Suspend their song and take a break from bliss.
O for their song, to reach my lofty theme!
O for their song, to connect with my grand theme!
Inspire me, Night! with all thy tuneful spheres;
Inspire me, Night! with all your musical spheres;
Whilst I with seraphs share seraphic themes,
While I share heavenly themes with angels,
And show to men the dignity of man; 190
And show people the dignity of humanity;190
Lest I blaspheme my subject with my song.
Lest I disrespect my subject with my song.
Shall Pagan pages glow celestial flame,
Shall Pagan pages shine with a heavenly light,
And Christian languish? On our hearts, not heads,
And Christian struggle? In our hearts, not in our minds,
Falls the foul infamy: my heart! awake.
Falls the foul infamy: my heart! wake up.
What can awake thee, unawaked by this,
What can wake you, if this doesn't?
“Expended deity on human weal?”
"Did a god sacrifice for humanity?"
Feel the great truths, which burst the tenfold night
Feel the great truths that break through the darkness.
Of heathen error, with a golden flood
Of pagan mistakes, with a golden stream
Of endless day: to feel, is to be fired;
Of endless day: to feel is to be ignited;
And to believe, Lorenzo! is to feel. 200
And to believe, Lorenzo! is to feel.200
Thou most indulgent, most tremendous Power!
You most indulgent, most tremendous Power!
Still more tremendous, for thy wondrous love!
Still more amazing, for your incredible love!
That arms, with awe more awful, thy commands;
That weapons, with even more terrifying awe, obey your commands;
And foul transgression dips in sevenfold night;
And terrible wrongdoing falls into a deep, dark night;
How our hearts tremble at thy love immense!
How our hearts shake at your immense love!
In love immense, inviolably just!
In immense love, completely just!
Thou, rather than thy justice should be stain’d,
You, rather than your sense of justice being tainted,
Didst stain the cross; and work of wonders far
Did you stain the cross and perform amazing feats far
The greatest, that thy dearest far might bleed.
The greatest, that your dearest might bleed far.
Bold thought! shall I dare speak it, or repress? 210
Bold thought! Should I dare to say it, or hold back?210
Should man more execrate, or boast, the guilt
Should people hate or brag about the guilt
Which roused such vengeance? which such love inflamed?
Which anger caused such revenge? Which love stirred up such passion?
O’er guilt (how mountainous!), with outstretch’d arms,
O'er guilt (how huge!), with outstretched arms,
Stern justice, and soft-smiling love embrace,
Stern justice and gentle love embrace,
Supporting, in full majesty, thy throne,
Supporting, in all its glory, your throne,
When seem’d its majesty to need support,
When its majesty seemed to need support,
Or that, or man, inevitably lost:
Or that, or a man, inevitably lost:
What, but the fathomless of thought divine,
What could be more profound than divine thought?
Could labour such expedient from despair,
Could work such a solution from hopelessness,
And rescue both? Both rescue! both exalt! 220
And save both? Save them both! Honor them both!220
Oh, how are both exalted by the deed!
Oh, how both are lifted up by the act!
The wondrous deed! or shall I call it more?
The amazing act! Or should I say more?
A wonder in omnipotence itself! 223
A marvel of pure power! 223
A mystery no less to gods than men!
A mystery just as puzzling to gods as it is to humans!
Not, thus, our infidels th’ Eternal draw,
Not, therefore, do our unbelievers attract the Eternal,
A God all o’er, consummate, absolute,
A God present everywhere, all-powerful,
Full-orb’d, in his whole round of rays complete:
Full orbed, with all his rays shining bright:
They set at odds Heaven’s jarring attributes;
They compared Heaven's conflicting qualities;
And, with one excellence, another wound;
And, with one advantage, another injury;
Maim Heaven’s perfection, break its equal beams,
Maim heaven’s perfection, break its equal beams,
Bid mercy triumph over—God himself, 231
Bid mercy win over—God himself, 231
Undeified by their opprobrious praise:
Undeified by their harmful praise:
A God all mercy, is a God unjust.
A merciful God is an unjust God.
Ye brainless wits! ye baptized infidels!
You brainless fools! You baptized non-believers!
Ye worse for mending! wash’d to fouler stains!
You're worse for trying to fix it! Washed to dirtier stains!
The ransom was paid down; the fund of heaven,
The ransom was paid; the treasure of heaven,
Heaven’s inexhaustible, exhausted fund,
Heaven's endless, depleted fund,
Amazing, and amazed, pour’d forth the price,
Amazing, and amazed, poured out the price,
All price beyond: though curious to compute,
All price beyond: though curious to calculate,
Archangels fail’d to cast the mighty sum: 240
Archangels failed to cast the huge amount:240
Its value vast, ungrasp’d by minds create,
Its value is enormous, beyond what creative minds can fully understand,
For ever hides, and glows, in the Supreme.
Forever hides and shines in the Supreme.
And was the ransom paid? It was: and paid
And was the ransom paid? It was, and it was paid.
(What can exalt the bounty more?) for you.
(What can elevate the abundance more?) for you.
The sun beheld it—No! the shocking scene,
The sun witnessed it—No! the shocking scene,
Drove back his chariot: midnight veil’d his face;
Drove back his chariot: midnight hid his face;
Not such as this; not such as nature makes;
Not like this; not like what nature creates;
A midnight nature shudder’d to behold;
A midnight nature trembled to see;
A midnight new! a dread eclipse (without
A midnight new! a scary eclipse (without
Opposing spheres) from her Creator’s frown! 250
Opposing forces) from her Creator’s frown!250
Sun! didst thou fly thy Maker’s pain? or start
Sun! Did you escape your Creator’s pain? Or did you begin
At that enormous load of human guilt,
At that huge burden of human guilt,
Which bow’d His blessed head; o’erwhelm’d His cross;
Which bowed His blessed head; overwhelmed His cross;
Made groan the centre; burst earth’s marble womb,
Made the center groan; burst open the earth's marble womb,
With pangs, strange pangs! deliver’d of her dead?
With sharp, unusual pains! brought forth from her loss?
Hell howl’d; and heaven that hour let fall a tear;
Hell howled; and heaven that hour shed a tear;
Heaven wept, that men might smile! Heaven bled, that man
Heaven wept, so that people could smile! Heaven bled, so that humanity
Might never die!——
Might never die!—
And is devotion virtue? ’Tis compell’d. 259
And is devotion a virtue? It’s forced.259
What heart of stone but glows at thoughts like these?
What heart made of stone glows at thoughts like these?
Such contemplations mount us; and should mount
Such thoughts lift us up; and should lift us up.
The mind still higher; nor ever glance on man,
The mind reaches even higher, and doesn’t ever look at people,
Unraptured, uninflamed.—Where roll my thoughts
Unmoved, unexcited.—Where do my thoughts roll
To rest from wonders? Other wonders rise;
To take a break from wonders? More wonders appear;
And strike where’er they roll: my soul is caught:
And hit them wherever they go: my soul is trapped:
Heaven’s sovereign blessings, clustering from the cross,
Heaven's ultimate blessings, gathered from the cross,
Rush on her, in a throng, and close her round,
Rush toward her, in a crowd, and surround her,
The prisoner of amaze!—In his bless’d life,
The prisoner of wonder!—In his blessed life,
I see the path, and, in his death, the price,
I see the way, and, in his death, the cost,
And in his great ascent, the proof supreme 270
And in his great rise, the ultimate proof
Hear, O ye nations! hear it, O ye dead!
Hear, O nations! Listen, O you who have died!
He rose! he rose! he burst the bars of death.
He rose! He rose! He broke free from the bars of death.
Lift up your heads, ye everlasting gates!
Lift up your heads, you eternal gates!
And give the King of glory to come in.
And let the King of glory enter.
Who is the King of glory? He who left
Who is the King of glory? He who left
His throne of glory, for the pang of death:
His throne of glory, for the pain of death:
Lift up your heads, ye everlasting gates!
Lift up your heads, you eternal gates!
And give the King of glory to come in.
And let the King of glory enter.
Who is the King of glory? He who slew 280
Who is the King of glory? He who killed280
The ravenous foe, that gorged all human race!
The hungry enemy that devoured all of humanity!
The King of glory, he whose glory fill’d
The King of glory, he whose glory filled
Heaven with amazement at his love to man;
Heaven marvels at his love for humanity;
And with divine complacency beheld
And with divine calmness watched
Powers most illumined, wilder’d in the theme.
Powers most enlightened, lost in the topic.
The theme, the joy, how then shall man sustain?
The theme, the joy, how can a person keep going?
O the burst gates! crush’d sting! demolish’d throne!
O the broken gates! crushed sting! destroyed throne!
Last gasp of vanquish’d Death! Shout earth and heaven!
Last breath of defeated Death! Shout out, earth and heaven!
This sum of good to man. Whose nature then
This amount of goodness towards humanity. Whose nature then
Took wing, and mounted with him from the tomb! 290
Took off and flew with him from the tomb!290
Then, then, I rose; then first humanity 291
Then, then, I got up; then first humanity291
Triumphant pass’d the crystal ports of light
Triumphantly passed through the clear gates of light
(Stupendous guest!), and seized eternal youth,
(Stupendous guest!), and seized eternal youth,
Seized in our name. E’er since, ’tis blasphemous
Seized in our name. Since then, it's blasphemous.
To call man mortal. Man’s mortality
To say that humans are mortal. Human mortality
Was then transferr’d to death; and heaven’s duration
Was then transferred to death; and heaven’s duration
Unalienably seal’d to this frail frame,
Unbreakably attached to this fragile body,
This child of dust—Man, all-immortal! hail;
This child of dust—Man, all-immortal! hello;
Hail, Heaven! all lavish of strange gifts to man!
Hail, Heaven! all generous with bizarre gifts for humanity!
Thine all the glory; man’s the boundless bliss. 300
Your glory is limitless; humanity's joy knows no bounds.300
Where am I rapt by this triumphant theme?
Where am I captivated by this victorious theme?
On Christian joy’s exulting wing, above
On the joyful wings of Christianity, above
Th’ Aonian mount?—Alas! small cause for joy!
The Aonian mount?—Unfortunately! Not much reason to celebrate!
What if to pain immortal? if extent
What if pain were endless? What if it never stopped?
Of being, to preclude a close of woe?
Of existence, to prevent a tragic ending?
Where, then, my boast of immortality?
Where, then, is my claim to immortality?
I boast it still, though cover’d o’er with guilt;
I still take pride in it, even though I'm wrapped up in guilt;
For guilt, not innocence, his life he pour’d;
For guilt, not innocence, he poured out his life;
’Tis guilt alone can justify his death;
It’s only guilt that can justify his death;
Nor that, unless his death can justify 310
Nor that, unless his death can justify310
Relenting guilt in Heaven’s indulgent sight.
Relenting guilt in Heaven's forgiving gaze.
If, sick of folly, I relent; he writes
If I'm tired of foolishness and give in; he writes
My name in heaven with that inverted spear
My name in heaven with that upside-down spear
(A spear deep-dipp’d in blood!) which pierced his side,
(A spear deep-dipped in blood!) that pierced his side,
And open’d there a font for all mankind,
And there they opened a source for all humanity,
Who strive, who combat crimes, to drink, and live:
Who strives, who fights against crime, to enjoy life and live:
This, only this, subdues the fear of death.
This, only this, calms the fear of death.
And what is this?—Survey the wondrous cure:
And what is this?—Look at the amazing solution:
And at each step, let higher wonder rise!
And with every step, let your amazement grow!
“Pardon for infinite offence! and pardon 320
“Pardon for endless offense! And pardon320
Through means that speak its value infinite!
Through ways that express its infinite value!
A pardon bought with blood! with blood divine!
A pardon bought with blood! with divine blood!
With blood divine of Him I made my foe!
With His divine blood, I created my enemy!
Persisted to provoke! though woo’d and awed,
Persisted to provoke! even when wooed and awed,
Bless’d and chastised, a flagrant rebel still! 325
Blessed and corrected, yet still a blatant rebel!325
A rebel, ’midst the thunders of his throne!
A rebel, amidst the roars of his throne!
Nor I alone! a rebel universe!
Nor I alone! A rebellious universe!
My species up in arms! not one exempt!
My people are in an uproar! Not a single one is excluded!
Yet for the foulest of the foul, he dies,
Yet for the worst of the worst, he dies,
Most joy’d, for the redeem’d from deepest guilt!
Most joyful, for those saved from the deepest guilt!
As if our race were held of highest rank;
As if our race were the most important of all;
And Godhead dearer, as more kind to man!” 332
And God is even more precious, as He is kinder to humanity!”332
Bound, every heart! and every bosom, burn!
Bound, every heart! And every soul, ignite!
O what a scale of miracles is here!
Oh, what a range of miracles is here!
Its lowest round, high planted on the skies;
Its lowest round, high planted in the skies;
Its towering summit lost beyond the thought
Its towering peak disappeared from consideration
Of man or angel! O that I could climb
Of man or angel! Oh, how I wish I could climb
The wonderful ascent, with equal praise!
The amazing rise, deserving of equal acclaim!
Praise! flow for ever (if astonishment
Praise! flow forever (if amazed)
Will give thee leave) my praise! for ever flow; 340
Will give you permission) my praise! forever flow;340
Praise ardent, cordial, constant, to high Heaven
Praise that is passionate, warm, and unwavering, to high Heaven
More fragrant, than Arabia sacrificed,
More fragrant than sacrificed Arabia,
And all her spicy mountains in a flame.
And all her fiery mountains ablaze.
So dear, so due to Heaven, shall praise descend,
So dear, so destined by Heaven, shall praise come down,
With her soft plume (from plausive angel’s wing
With her soft feather (from a friendly angel’s wing
First pluck’d by man) to tickle mortal ears,
First picked by man to tease human ears,
Thus diving in the pockets of the great?
Thus diving into the pockets of the great?
Is praise the perquisite of every paw,
Is praise the reward for every paw,
Though black as hell, that grapples well for gold?
Though as dark as night, it struggles well for gold?
O love of gold! thou meanest of amours! 350
O love of gold! you are the most selfish of loves!350
Shall praise her odours waste on Virtue’s dead,
Shall praise her scents be wasted on Virtue’s dead,
Embalm the base, perfume the stench of guilt,
Embalm the base, mask the smell of guilt,
Earn dirty bread by washing Æthiops fair,
Earn a shady living by cleaning up Æthiops nicely,
Removing filth, or sinking it from sight,
Removing dirt, or hiding it from view,
A scavenger in scenes, where vacant posts,
A scavenger in scenes, where empty posts,
Like gibbets yet untenanted, expect
Like empty gibbets, expect
Their future ornaments? From courts and thrones,
Their future decorations? From courts and thrones,
Return, apostate praise! thou vagabond!
Return, rebellious praise! you wanderer!
Thou prostitute! to thy first love return, 395
Thou prostitute! Return to your first love,395
Thy first, thy greatest, once unrivall’d theme.
Your first, your greatest, once unmatched theme.
There flow redundant; like Meander flow,
There flows redundantly; like the Meander.
Back to thy fountain; to that parent Power,
Back to your source; to that original authority,
Who gives the tongue to sound, the thought to soar,
Who gives the voice to speak, the mind to rise,
The soul to be. Men homage pay to men,
The soul that is meant to be. Men show respect to other men,
Thoughtless beneath whose dreadful eye they bow
Thoughtless, under whose terrifying gaze they submit.
In mutual awe profound, of clay to clay,
In deep mutual respect, from clay back to clay,
Of guilt to guilt; and turn their back on thee,
Of guilt to guilt; and turn their back on you,
Great Sire! whom thrones celestial ceaseless sing;
Great Sire! Whom heavenly thrones continuously praise;
To prostrate angels, an amazing scene!
To bow down to angels, an incredible sight!
O the presumption of man’s awe for man!— 370
O the arrogance of man's admiration for man!—370
Man’s author! end! restorer! law! and judge!
Man's creator! end! restorer! lawgiver! and judge!
Thine, all; day thine, and thine this gloom of night,
Thine, all; day yours, and yours this gloom of night,
With all her wealth, with all her radiant worlds:
With all her wealth, with all her shining worlds:
What, night eternal, but a frown from thee?
What, eternal night, but a frown from you?
What, heaven’s meridian glory, but thy smile?
What, the heavenly peak of glory, is your smile?
And shall not praise be thine? not human praise?
And shouldn't the praise belong to you? Not just human praise?
While heaven’s high host on hallelujahs live?
While heaven’s high host live on hallelujahs?
O may I breathe no longer, than I breathe
O may I breathe no longer than I breathe
My soul in praise to Him, who gave my soul,
My soul praises Him, who gave me my soul,
And all her infinite of prospect fair, 380
And all her countless beautiful views,380
Cut through the shades of hell great Love! by thee
Cut through the shadows of hell, great Love! by you
O most adorable! most unadored!
Oh so adorable! Most unappreciated!
Where shall that praise begin, which ne’er should end?
Where should that praise start, which should never end?
Where’er I turn, what claim on all applause!
Wherever I go, what right do I have to all this praise!
How is night’s sable mantle labour’d o’er,
How is night’s dark cloak worked over,
How richly wrought with attributes divine!
How richly crafted with divine qualities!
What wisdom shines! what love! This midnight pomp,
What wisdom shines! What love! This midnight grandeur,
This gorgeous arch, with golden worlds inlaid!
This beautiful arch, adorned with golden details!
Built with divine ambition! nought to thee;
Built with divine ambition! Nothing to you;
For others this profusion: Thou, apart, 390
For others this abundance: You, apart,390
Above! beyond! O tell me, mighty Mind!
Above! Beyond! Oh tell me, powerful Mind!
Where art thou? Shall I dive into the deep,
Where are you? Should I dive into the deep,
Call to the sun, or ask the roaring winds, 393
Call to the sun, or ask the roaring winds,393
For their Creator? Shall I question loud
For their Creator? Should I ask out loud
The thunder, if in that th’ Almighty dwells?
The thunder, is that where the Almighty resides?
Or holds He furious storms in straiten’d reins,
Or does He control raging storms with tightly held reins,
And bids fierce whirlwinds wheel his rapid car?
And he commands fierce whirlwinds to spin his fast ride?
What mean these questions?—Trembling I retract;
What do these questions mean?—I pull back, trembling;
My prostrate soul adores the present God:
My humbled soul worships the present God:
Praise I a distant deity? He tunes 400
Praise I a distant god? He tunes
My voice (if tuned); the nerve, that writes, sustains:
My voice (if tuned); the nerve that writes and holds on:
Wrapp’d in his being, I resound his praise:
Wrapped up in his essence, I echo his praise:
But though past all diffused, without a shore,
But even though it's all spread out, with no boundaries,
His essence; local is his throne (as meet),
His essence; local is his throne (as it should be),
To gather the dispersed (as standards call
To gather the scattered (as standards call
The listed from afar): to fix a point,
The listed from afar): to fix a point,
A central point, collective of his sons,
A central point, a group of his sons,
Since finite every nature but his own.
Since everything has a limit except for his own nature.
The nameless He, whose nod is nature’s birth;
The nameless He, whose nod is nature’s birth;
And nature’s shield, the shadow of his hand; 410
And nature's shield, the shadow of his hand;410
Her dissolution, his suspended smile!
Her breakup, his frozen smile!
The great First-Last! pavilion’d high he sits,
The great First-Last! perched high, he sits,
In darkness from excessive splendour borne,
In darkness from too much brightness created,
By gods unseen, unless through lustre lost.
By unseen gods, unless through lost brightness.
His glory, to created glory, bright,
His glory, to created glory, bright,
As that to central horrors; he looks down
As that relates to central horrors; he looks down
On all that soars; and spans immensity.
On everything that flies high and stretches across vastness.
Though night unnumber’d worlds unfolds to view,
Though the night reveals countless worlds to see,
Boundless creation! what art thou? A beam,
Boundless creation! What are you? A ray,
A mere effluvium of his majesty: 420
A simple scent of his greatness:420
And shall an atom of this atom-world
And will a tiny part of this atom-world
Mutter, in dust and sin, the theme of heaven?
Mutter, in dirt and wrongdoing, the theme of paradise?
Down to the centre should I send my thought
Down to the center should I send my thought
Through beds of glittering ore, and glowing gems,
Through fields of sparkling minerals and shining gems,
Their beggar’d blaze wants lustre for my lay;
Their dim flame lacks the brightness for my song;
Goes out in darkness: if, on towering wing,
Goes out in darkness: if, on towering wing,
I send it through the boundless vault of stars! 427
I send it through the endless expanse of stars!427
The stars, though rich, what dross their gold to thee,
The stars, even though they are valuable, what good is their gold to you,
Great, good, wise, wonderful, eternal King!
Great, good, wise, wonderful, eternal King!
If to those conscious stars thy throne around,
If to those aware stars your throne surrounds,
Praise ever-pouring, and imbibing bliss;
Constant praise and pure joy;
And ask their strain; they want it, more they want,
And ask their effort; they want it, they want it even more,
Poor their abundance, humble their sublime, 433
Poor their abundance, humble their sublime,433
Languid their energy, their ardour cold,
Out of energy, their enthusiasm faded.
Indebted still, their highest rapture burns;
Indebted still, their greatest happiness shines;
Short of its mark, defective, though divine.
Short of its mark, flawed, yet divine.
Still more—this theme is man’s, and man’s alone;
Still more—this theme belongs to man, and man alone;
Their vast appointments reach it not: they see
Their vast appointments don't touch it: they see
On earth a bounty not indulged on high;
On earth, a reward not enjoyed above;
And downward look for heaven’s superior praise! 440
And look down to find heaven’s higher praise!440
First-born of ether! high in fields of light!
First-born of ether! High in fields of light!
View man, to see the glory of your God!
View man, look at the glory of your God!
Could angels envy, they had envied here;
Could angels feel envy, they would have envied here;
And some did envy; and the rest, though gods,
And some were envious; and the others, even though they were gods,
Yet still gods unredeem’d (their triumphs man,
Yet still, the gods remain unredeemed (their triumphs man,
Tempted to weigh the dust against the skies),
Tempted to compare the dust with the skies),
They less would feel, though more adorn, my theme.
They would feel less, but adorn my theme more.
They sung creation (for in that they shared);
They sang about creation (because they were part of it);
How rose in melody, that child of love!
How rose in melody, that child of love!
Creation’s great superior, man! is thine; 450
Creation's greatest master, man! is yours;450
Thine is redemption; they just gave the key:
Yours is redemption; they just handed over the key:
’Tis thine to raise, and eternize, the song;
It’s up to you to elevate and make the song everlasting;
Though human, yet divine; for should not this
Though human, yet divine; for should not this
Raise man o’er man, and kindle seraphs here?
Raise humanity above one another, and ignite angels here?
Redemption! ’twas creation more sublime;
Redemption! It was a more sublime creation;
Redemption! ’twas the labour of the skies;
Redemption! It was the work of the heavens;
Far more than labour—it was death in heaven.
Far beyond just work—it was a struggle for survival.
A truth so strange! ’twere bold to think it true;
A truth so strange! It would be daring to believe it.
If not far bolder still to disbelieve. 459
If not even bolder to doubt.459
Here pause, and ponder—Was there death in heaven?
Here, pause and think—Was there death in heaven?
What then on earth? on earth, which struck the blow?
What then on earth? On earth, who delivered the blow?
Who struck it? Who?—O how is man enlarged, 462
Who hit it? Who?—Oh, how is man made larger,462
Seen through this medium! How the pigmy towers!
Seen through this medium! Look how the tiny towers!
How counterpoised his origin from dust!
How contrasting his origin from dust!
How counterpoised to dust his sad return!
How contrasting to dust his sad return!
How voided his vast distance from the skies!
How empty his great distance from the skies!
How near he presses on the seraph’s wing!
How close he hovers near the seraph's wing!
Which is the seraph? Which the born of clay?
Which one is the seraph? Which one is made from clay?
How this demonstrates, through the thickest cloud
How this shows, through the thickest cloud
Of guilt, and clay condensed, the son of heaven! 470
Of guilt, and clay compacted, the son of heaven!470
The double son; the made, and the re-made!
The double son; the created, and the recreated!
And shall heaven’s double property be lost?
And will heaven's double nature be wasted?
Man’s double madness only can destroy.
Man's dual madness can only bring destruction.
To man the bleeding cross has promised all;
To man the bleeding cross has promised everything;
The bleeding cross has sworn eternal grace;
The bleeding cross has promised everlasting grace;
Who gave his life, what grace shall he deny?
Who gave his life, what grace will he refuse?
O ye who, from this Rock of Ages, leap,
O you who leap from this Rock of Ages,
Apostates, plunging headlong in the deep!
Apostates, diving straight into the depths!
What cordial joy, what consolation strong,
What warm joy, what strong comfort,
Whatever winds arise, or billows roll, 480
Whatever winds pick up or waves crash, 480
Our interest in the Master of the storm!
Our fascination with the Master of the storm!
Cling there, and in wreck’d nature’s ruins smile;
Cling there, and smile amidst the ruins of nature.
While vile apostates tremble in a calm.
While wicked traitors shake in a calm.
Man! know thyself. All wisdom centres there;
Man! Know yourself. All wisdom starts there;
To none man seems ignoble, but to man;
To no one does anyone seem unworthy, except to other people;
Angels that grandeur, men o’erlook, admire:
Angels that are majestic, men overlook and admire:
How long shall human nature be their book,
How long will human nature be their story,
Degenerate mortal! and unread by thee?
Degenerate person! And you haven't read it?
The beam dim reason sheds shows wonders there;
The dim beam of light reveals wonders there;
What high contents! illustrious faculties! 490
What high standards! Renowned abilities! 490
But the grand comment, which displays at full
But the grand comment that fully showcases
Our human height, scarce sever’d from divine,
Our human height, barely separated from the divine,
By heaven composed, was publish’d on the Cross.
By heaven's design, it was published on the Cross.
Who looks on that, and sees not in himself
Who looks at that and doesn’t see it in themselves?
An awful stranger, a terrestrial god? 495
An awful stranger, a god of the earth?495
A glorious partner with the Deity
A magnificent partner with the divine
In that high attribute, immortal life?
In that amazing quality, eternal life?
If a god bleeds, he bleeds not for a worm:
If a god bleeds, he doesn't bleed for a worm:
I gaze, and, as I gaze, my mounting soul
I look, and as I look, my soaring spirit
Catches strange fire, eternity! at thee;
Catches strange fire, eternity! at you;
And drops the world—or rather, more enjoys:
And lets go of the world—or rather, enjoys it more:
How changed the face of nature! how improved! 502
How much the face of nature has changed! How improved!502
What seem’d a chaos, shines a glorious world,
What seemed like chaos now shines as a glorious world,
Or, what a world, an Eden; heighten’d all!
Or, what a world, an Eden; heightened all!
It is another scene! another self!
It’s another scene! Another version of myself!
And still another, as time rolls along;
And another one, as time goes by;
And that a self far more illustrious still.
And that a self even more remarkable still.
Beyond long ages, yet roll’d up in shades
Beyond long ages, still wrapped in darkness
Unpierced by bold conjecture’s keenest ray,
Unpierced by the sharpest light of bold speculation,
What evolutions of surprising fate! 510
What surprising twists of fate! 510
How nature opens, and receives my soul
How nature welcomes and embraces my soul.
In boundless walks of raptured thought! where gods
In endless paths of ecstatic thinking! where gods
Encounter and embrace me! What new births
Encounter and embrace me! What new beginnings
Of strange adventure, foreign to the sun,
Of unusual adventure, away from the sun,
Where what now charms, perhaps, whate’er exists,
Where what now captivates, perhaps, whatever exists,
Old time, and fair creation, are forgot!
Old times and beautiful creations are forgotten!
Is this extravagant? Of man we form
Is this excessive? Of man we shape
Extravagant conception, to be just:
Lavish idea, to be fair:
Conception unconfined wants wings to reach him:
Conception unconfined wants wings to reach him:
Beyond its reach, the Godhead only, more. 520
Beyond its reach, only the divine. 520
He, the great Father! kindled at one flame
He, the great Father! ignited at one flame
The world of rationals; one spirit pour’d
The world of rational people; one spirit poured
From spirit’s awful fountain; pour’d himself
From the terrible fountain of the spirit; he poured himself
Through all their souls; but not in equal stream,
Through all their souls; but not at the same intensity,
Profuse, or frugal, of th’ inspiring God,
Profuse or frugal with the inspiring God,
As his wise plan demanded; and when past
As his clever plan required; and when past
Their various trials, in their various spheres,
Their different challenges, in their different areas,
If they continue rational, as made,
If they stay reasonable, as created,
Resorbs them all into himself again; 529
Resorbs them all into himself again;529
His throne their centre, and his smile their crown.
His throne is their center, and his smile is their crown.
Why doubt we, then, the glorious truth to sing,
Why should we doubt, then, the glorious truth to sing,
Though yet unsung, as deem’d, perhaps, too bold?
Though still unsung, as it may seem, perhaps too daring?
Angels are men of a superior kind;
Angels are a higher order of beings.
Angels are men in lighter habit clad,
Angels are men dressed in lighter clothing,
High o’er celestial mountains wing’d in flight;
High over celestial mountains, soaring in flight;
And men are angels, loaded for an hour,
And men are angels, ready for a moment,
Who wade this miry vale, and climb with pain,
Who trudges through this muddy valley and climbs with effort,
And slippery step, the bottom of the steep.
And a slippery step at the bottom of the steep hill.
Angels their failings, mortals have their praise;
Angels have their flaws, and humans have their compliments;
While here, of corps ethereal, such enroll’d, 540
While here, of ghostly bodies, such enrolled,540
And summon’d to the glorious standard soon,
And called to the glorious standard soon,
Which flames eternal crimson through the skies.
Which flames eternal crimson through the skies.
Nor are our brothers thoughtless of their kin,
Nor do our brothers ignore their family,
Yet absent; but not absent from their love.
Yet gone; but not gone from their love.
Michael has fought our battles; Raphael sung
Michael has fought our battles; Raphael has sung
Our triumphs; Gabriel on our errands flown,
Our victories; Gabriel has taken off on our missions,
Sent by the Sovereign: and are these, O Man!
Sent by the Sovereign: and are these, O Man!
Thy friends, thy warm allies? and thou (shame burn
Thy friends, thy warm allies? and thou (shame burn
The cheek to cinder!) rival to the brute?
The nerve to challenge the beast?
Religion’s all. Descending from the skies 550
Religion’s everything. Coming down from the heavens550
To wretched man, the goddess, in her left,
To the miserable man, the goddess, in her left,
Holds out this world, and, in her right, the next;
Holds out this world and, in her right hand, the next;
Religion! the sole voucher man is man;
Religion! the only proof that a person is truly human;
Supporter sole of man above himself;
Supporter sole of man beyond himself;
Even in this night of frailty, change, and death,
Even on this night of weakness, change, and death,
She gives the soul a soul that acts a god.
She gives the soul a spirit that behaves like a god.
Religion! Providence! an After-state!
Religion! Destiny! an Afterlife!
Here is firm footing; here is solid rock!
Here is solid ground; here is strong rock!
This can support us; all is sea besides;
This can help us; everything else is just sea;
Sinks under us; bestorms, and then devours. 560
Sinks beneath us; storms, and then consumes.560
His hand the good man fastens on the skies,
His hand holds onto the skies,
And bids earth roll, nor feels her idle whirl.
And tells the earth to spin, but doesn’t feel her spinning at all.
As when a wretch, from thick polluted air, 563
As when someone struggling to breathe, from thick, polluted air,563
Darkness, and stench, and suffocating damps,
Darkness, bad smells, and oppressive dampness,
And dungeon horrors, by kind fate, discharged,
And the horrors of the dungeon, by kind fate, were released,
Climbs some fair eminence, where ether pure
Climbs some high peak, where the air is clear
Surrounds him, and Elysian prospects rise,
Surrounds him, and heavenly views emerge,
His heart exults, his spirits cast their load;
His heart rejoices, and his spirits lift their weight;
As if new-born, he triumphs in the change;
As if he’s just been born, he revels in the transformation;
So joys the soul, when, from inglorious aims,
So the soul finds joy when it moves away from unworthy goals,
And sordid sweets, from feculence and froth 571
And dirty treats, from filth and bubbles571
Of ties terrestrial, set at large, she mounts
Of earthly connections, set free, she rises
To reason’s region, her own element,
To the realm of reason, her natural domain,
Breathes hopes immortal, and affects the skies.
Breathes eternal hopes and influences the heavens.
Religion! thou the soul of happiness;
Religion! You are the essence of happiness;
And, groaning Calvary, of thee! there shine
And, groaning Calvary, of you! there shine
The noblest truths; there strongest motives sting;
The highest truths; their strongest motives hurt;
There sacred violence assaults the soul;
There, sacred violence attacks the soul;
There, nothing but compulsion is forborne.
There, nothing but obligation is tolerated.
Can love allure us? or can terror awe? 580
Can love attract us, or can fear impress us? 580
He weeps!—the falling drop puts out the sun;
He cries!—the falling drop extinguishes the sun;
He sighs—the sigh earth’s deep foundation shakes.
He sighs—the sigh shakes the earth’s deep foundation.
If in his love so terrible, what then
If his love is so intense, then what?
His wrath inflamed? his tenderness on fire?
His anger flared up? His affection burning?
Like soft, smooth oil, outblazing other fires?
Like soft, smooth oil, blazing brighter than other fires?
Can prayer, can praise avert it?—Thou, my all!
Can prayer or praise stop it?—You, my everything!
My theme! my inspiration! and my crown!
My theme! My inspiration! And my crown!
My strength in age! my rise in low estate!
My strength in old age! My rise from a low position!
My soul’s ambition, pleasure, wealth!—my world!
My soul's desire, enjoyment, riches!—my universe!
My light in darkness! and my life in death! 590
My light in the dark! and my life in death!590
My boast through time! bliss through eternity!
My brag through time! happiness through forever!
Eternity, too short to speak thy praise!
Eternity is way too short to express how great you are!
Or fathom thy profound of love to man!
Or understand the depth of your love for humanity!
To man of men the meanest, even to me;
To the most insignificant of men, even to me;
My sacrifice! my God!—what things are these!
My sacrifice! My God!—what is happening here!
What then art Thou? by what name shall I call thee?—
What then are you? What name should I call you?—
Knew I the name devout archangels use, 597
Knew I the name devoted archangels use,597
Devout archangels should the name enjoy,
Devout archangels should bear the name,
By me unrivall’d; thousands more sublime,
By me unmatched; thousands more amazing,
None half so dear as that which, though unspoke,
None are as dear as that which, though unspoken,
Still glows at heart: O how omnipotence
Still glows at heart: Oh how powerful
Is lost in love! Thou great Philanthropist!
Is lost in love! You great philanthropist!
Father of angels! but the friend of man! 603
Father of angels! But the friend of humanity!603
Like Jacob, fondest of the younger born!
Like Jacob, the favorite of the younger siblings!
Thou, who didst save him, snatch the smoking brand
You, who saved him, grab the smoking stick.
From out the flames, and quench it in thy blood!
From the flames, and put it out with your blood!
How art thou pleased, by bounty to distress!
How are you pleased to cause distress with your generosity!
To make us groan beneath our gratitude,
To make us groan under the weight of our gratitude,
Too big for birth! to favour, and confound;
Too big for birth! to support, and confuse;
To challenge, and to distance all return! 610
To confront and to keep everything away!610
Of lavish love stupendous heights to soar,
Of extravagant love, incredible heights to reach,
And leave praise panting in the distant vale!
And let praise linger breathlessly in the far valley!
Thy right, too great, defrauds thee of thy due;
Your excessive pride shortchanges you of what you deserve;
And sacrilegious our sublimest song.
And sacrilegious is our best song.
But since the naked will obtains thy smile,
But since the bare will gets your smile,
Beneath this monument of praise unpaid,
Beneath this monument of unrecognized praise,
And future life symphonious to my strain,
And a future life that resonates with my tune,
(That noblest hymn to heaven!) for ever lie
(That noblest hymn to heaven!) may it rest forever
Entomb’d my fear of death! and every fear,
Entombed my fear of death! and every fear,
The dread of every evil, but thy frown. 620
The fear of every wicked thing, except for your frown.620
Whom see I yonder, so demurely smile?
Who do I see over there, smiling so modestly?
Laughter a labour, and might break their rest.
Laughter is a labor and could disturb their rest.
Ye quietists, in homage to the skies!
You quietists, in honor of the skies!
Serene! of soft address! who mildly make
Serene! with a gentle way of speaking! who softly bring
An unobtrusive tender of your hearts,
An unassuming offer of your hearts,
Abhorring violence! who halt indeed;
Hating violence! who stops indeed;
But, for the blessing, wrestle not with Heaven!
But, for the blessing, don’t struggle with Heaven!
Think you my song too turbulent? too warm?
Do you think my song is too intense? Too passionate?
Are passions, then, the Pagans of the soul?
Are passions, then, the outsiders of the soul?
Reason alone baptized? alone ordain’d 630
Reason alone baptized? Alone ordained.
To touch things sacred? Oh for warmer still! 631
To touch things sacred? Oh, that would be even better!631
Guilt chills my zeal, and age benumbs my powers;
Guilt saps my enthusiasm, and age dulls my abilities;
Oh for an humbler heart, and prouder song!
Oh for a humbler heart, and a prouder song!
Thou, my much-injured theme! with that soft eye,
Thou, my deeply wronged subject! with that gentle gaze,
Which melted o’er doom’d Salem, deign to look
Which melted over doomed Salem, please take a look
Compassion to the coldness of my breast;
Compassion for the coldness in my heart;
And pardon to the winter in my strain.
And sorry for the winter in my tone.
O ye cold-hearted, frozen, formalists!
Oh you cold-hearted, frozen, formalists!
On such a theme, ’tis impious to be calm;
On a topic like this, it's wrong to be calm;
Passion is reason, transport temper, here. 640
Passion is reason, it carries emotions, right here.640
Shall Heaven, which gave us ardour, and has shown
Shall Heaven, which gave us passion, and has shown
Her own for man so strongly, not disdain
Her own for man so strongly, not disdain
What smooth emollients in theology,
What soothing balms in theology,
Recumbent virtue’s downy doctors preach,
Recumbent virtue’s soft doctors preach,
That prose of piety, a lukewarm praise?
That prayerful writing, a half-hearted compliment?
Rise odours sweet from incense uninflamed?
Do sweet smells rise from unlit incense?
Devotion, when lukewarm, is undevout;
Half-hearted devotion is no devotion;
But when it glows, its heat is struck to heaven;
But when it shines, its heat reaches up to heaven;
To human hearts her golden harps are strung;
To human hearts, her golden harps are tuned;
High heaven’s orchestra chants amen to man. 650
High heaven's orchestra sings amen to humanity.650
Hear I, or dream I hear, their distant strain,
Hear I, or dream I hear, their distant melody,
Sweet to the soul, and tasting strong of heaven,
Sweet to the soul, and rich with the flavor of heaven,
Soft-wafted on celestial pity’s plume,
Softly carried on celestial pity’s plume,
Through the vast spaces of the universe,
Through the vast spaces of the universe,
To cheer me in this melancholy gloom?
To cheer me up in this sad mood?
Oh, when will death (now stingless), like a friend,
Oh, when will death (now without pain), like a friend,
Admit me of their choir? Oh, when will death
Admit me to their choir? Oh, when will death
This mouldering, old, partition-wall throw down?
This crumbling, old partition wall, should we tear it down?
Give beings, one in nature, one abode?
Give beings, one in nature, one home?
O Death divine! that givest us to the skies! 660
O divine Death! that takes us to the heavens!660
Great future! glorious patron of the past,
Great future! Glorious supporter of the past,
And present! when shall I thy shrine adore?
And now! When will I get to worship at your shrine?
From nature’s continent, immensely wide,
From nature's vast continent,
Immensely bless’d, this little isle of life,
Immensely blessed, this little island of life,
This dark, incarcerating colony, 665
This dark, confining colony, 665
Divides us. Happy day! that breaks our chain;
Divides us. Happy day! that frees us;
That leads to nature’s great metropolis,
That leads to nature’s great city,
And re-admits us, through the guardian hand
And lets us back in, through the guiding hand
Of elder brothers, to our Father’s throne;
Of older brothers, to our Father’s throne;
Who hears our Advocate, and, through his wounds
Who listens to our Advocate, and, through his wounds
Beholding man, allows that tender name. 672
Beholding man, allows that gentle name.672
’Tis this makes Christian triumph a command:
It’s this that makes Christian triumph a command:
’Tis this makes joy a duty to the wise;
This is what makes joy a responsibility for the wise;
’Tis impious in a good man to be sad.
It’s wrong for a good person to be sad.
See thou, Lorenzo! where hangs all our hope?
Look, Lorenzo! Where does all our hope hang?
Touch’d by the Cross, we live; or, more than die;
Touché by the Cross, we live; or, more than die;
That touch which touch’d not angels; more divine
That touch that didn't reach angels; more divine
Than that which touch’d confusion into form,
Than what brought confusion into shape,
And darkness into glory; partial touch! 680
And darkness into glory; partial touch!680
Ineffably pre-eminent regard!
Unmatched respect!
Sacred to man, and sovereign through the whole
Sacred to humans, and sovereign throughout the whole
Long golden chain of miracles, which hangs
Long golden chain of miracles, which hangs
From heaven through all duration, and supports
From heaven throughout all time, and supports
In one illustrious and amazing plan,
In one remarkable and incredible plan,
Thy welfare, nature! and thy God’s renown.
Your well-being, nature! and your God's glory.
That touch, with charm celestial, heals the soul
That touch, with heavenly charm, heals the soul.
Diseased, drives pain from guilt, lights life in death,
Diseased, pushes pain from guilt, brightens life in death,
Turns earth to heaven, to heavenly thrones transforms
Turns earth into heaven, transforming it into heavenly thrones.
The ghastly ruins of the mouldering tomb. 690
The horrifying remains of the decaying tomb.690
Dost ask me when? When He who died returns;
Dost ask me when? When He who died comes back;
Returns, how changed! Where then the man of woe?
Returns, how they've changed! Where is the man of sorrow now?
In glory’s terrors all the Godhead burns;
In the terrifying glory, all of divinity shines bright;
And all his courts, exhausted by the tide
And all his courts, worn out by the waves
Of deities triumphant in his train,
Of victorious gods following him,
Leave a stupendous solitude in heaven;
Leave an incredible emptiness in heaven;
Replenish’d soon, replenish’d with increase
Restored quickly, restored with growth
Of pomp, and multitude; a radiant band 698
Of grandeur and crowds; a shining group698
Of angels new; of angels from the tomb.
Of new angels; of angels from the grave.
Is this by fancy thrown remote? and rise
Is this thrown far away by fancy? And rise
Dark doubts between the promise and event?
Dark doubts between the promise and the event?
I send thee not to volumes for thy cure;
I’m not sending you to books for your healing;
Read nature; nature is a friend to truth;
Read nature; nature is a friend to truth;
Nature is Christian; preaches to mankind;
Nature is Christian; it preaches to humanity;
And bids dead matter aid us in our creed.
And compels inanimate things to support us in our beliefs.
Hast thou ne’er seen the comet’s flaming flight?
Have you never seen the comet's fiery path?
Th’ illustrious stranger passing, terror sheds
Th’ illustrious stranger passing, terror sheds
On gazing nations; from his fiery train
On looking at nations; from his fiery trail
Of length enormous, takes his ample round 709
Of enormous length, takes his wide round709
Through depths of ether; coasts unnumber’d worlds,
Through the vastness of space; countless worlds on distant shores,
Of more than solar glory; doubles wide
Of more than solar glory; doubles wide
Heaven’s mighty cape; and then revisits earth,
Heaven's powerful cloak; and then returns to earth,
From the long travel of a thousand years.
From the long journey of a thousand years.
Thus, at the destined period, shall return
Thus, at the appointed time, shall return
He, once on earth, who bids the comet blaze:
He, once on earth, who makes the comet shine:
And, with him, all our triumph o’er the tomb.
And with him, all our victories over death.
Nature is dumb on this important point;
Nature is unaware of this important point;
Or hope precarious in low whisper breathes;
Or hope, fragile, breathes in a low whisper;
Faith speaks aloud, distinct; even adders hear;
Faith speaks clearly and loudly; even snakes can hear;
But turn, and dart into the dark again. 720
But turn and rush back into the darkness again.720
Faith builds a bridge across the gulf of death,
Faith builds a bridge over the gap of death,
To break the shock blind nature cannot shun,
To overcome the shocking truth that nature cannot avoid,
And lands thought smoothly on the farther shore.
And lands gently on the far shore.
Death’s terror is the mountain faith removes;
Death’s fear is the mountain that faith removes;
That mountain barrier between man and peace.
That mountain stands between humanity and peace.
’Tis faith disarms destruction; and absolves
'Tis faith that disarms destruction and absolves
From every clamorous charge, the guiltless tomb.
From every noisy accusation, the innocent grave.
Why disbelieve? Lorenzo!—“Reason bids,
Why disbelieve? Lorenzo!—“Reason says,
All-sacred reason.”—Hold her sacred still;
"All-sacred reason."—Keep her sacred still;
Nor shalt thou want a rival in thy flame: 730
Nor will you lack a rival in your passion:730
All-sacred reason! source, and soul, of all
All-sacred reason! Source and essence of everything.
Demanding praise, on earth, or earth above! 732
Demanding praise, on earth, or from above!732
My heart is thine: deep in its inmost folds,
My heart is yours: deep in its innermost layers,
Live thou with life; live dearer of the two.
Live your life; live it more passionately than the other.
Wear I the blessed cross, by fortune stamp’d
Wear the blessed cross, marked by fortune
On passive nature, before thought was born?
On passive nature, before thought was created?
My birth’s blind bigot! fired with local zeal!
My birth’s ignorant zealot! filled with local passion!
No; reason re-baptized me when adult;
No; reason baptized me again when I was an adult;
Weigh’d true, and false, in her impartial scale;
Weighed true and false in her unbiased balance;
My heart became the convert of my head; 740
My heart became a follower of my mind;740
And made that choice, which once was but my fate.
And made that choice, which used to be just my destiny.
“On argument alone my faith is built:”
“On argument alone, my faith is built:”
Reason pursued is faith; and, unpursued
Reason pursued is faith; and, unpursued
Where proof invites, ’tis reason, then, no more:
Where proof is welcome, it’s reason, then, no longer:
And such our proof, that, or our faith is right,
And this is our proof: either our faith is correct,
Or reason lies, and Heaven design’d it wrong:
Or reason is in error, and Heaven intended it to be wrong:
Absolve we this? What, then, is blasphemy?
Absolve we this? What, then, is blasphemy?
Fond as we are, and justly fond, of faith,
Fond as we are, and rightly so, about faith,
Reason, we grant, demands our first regard;
Reason, we agree, deserves our top priority;
The mother honour’d, as the daughter dear. 750
The mother is respected, just like the beloved daughter.750
Reason the root, fair faith is but the flower;
Reason is the root, while fair faith is just the flower;
The fading flower shall die; but reason lives
The wilting flower will die; but logic endures.
Immortal, as her Father in the skies.
Immortal, like her Father in the heavens.
When faith is virtue, reason makes it so.
When faith is a virtue, reason makes it happen.
Wrong not the Christian; think not reason yours:
Wrong not the Christian; think not reason yours:
’Tis reason our great Master holds so dear;
It’s reason that our great Master values so much;
’Tis reason’s injured rights his wrath resents;
It’s the violation of reason’s rights that fuels his anger;
’Tis reason’s voice obey’d his glories crown;
It's the voice of reason that crowned his glory;
To give lost reason life, he pour’d his own:
To bring lost reason back to life, he poured out his own:
Believe, and show the reason of a man; 760
Believe, and demonstrate what it means to be human;760
Believe, and taste the pleasure of a God;
Believe, and experience the joy of a God;
Believe, and look with triumph on the tomb:
Believe, and gaze triumphantly at the tomb:
Through reason’s wounds alone thy faith can die;
Through reason's wounds alone your faith can die;
Which dying, tenfold terror gives to death,
Which dying, tenfold terror delivers to death,
And dips in venom his twice-mortal sting.
And dips in poison his deadly sting.
Learn hence what honours, what loud pæans[16], due 766
Learn here what honors, what loud praises[16], due766
To those, who push our antidote aside;
To those who ignore our solution;
Those boasted friends to reason, and to man,
Those bragging friends to reason, and to humanity,
Whose fatal love stabs every joy, and leaves
Whose doomed love pierces every happiness and leaves
Death’s terror heighten’d, gnawing on his heart.
Death's terror increased, gnawing at his heart.
Those pompous sons of reason idolized
Those arrogant sons of logic idolized
And vilified at once; of reason dead,
And immediately condemned; of reason gone,
Then deified, as monarchs were of old; 773
Then worshipped like the kings of the past;773
What conduct plants proud laurels on their brow?
What actions earn them great honor?
While love of truth through all their camp resounds,
While the love of truth echoes throughout their camp,
They draw pride’s curtain o’er the noontide ray,
They pull pride’s curtain over the midday sun,
Spike up their inch of reason, on the point
Spike up their inch of reason, on the point
Of philosophic wit, call’d argument;
Philosophical wit, called argument;
And then, exulting in their taper, cry,
And then, celebrating their candle, shout,
“Behold the sun!” and, Indian-like, adore. 780
“Look at the sun!” and, like an Indian, worship. 780
Talk they of morals? O thou bleeding Love!
Talk they of morals? Oh, you wounded Love!
Thou maker of new morals to mankind!
You creator of new morals for humanity!
The grand morality is love of thee.
The ultimate principle is love for you.
As wise as Socrates, if such they were
As wise as Socrates, if that's what they were
(Nor will they bate of that sublime renown),
(Nor will they lessen that sublime renown),
As wise as Socrates, might justly stand
As wise as Socrates might justly stand
The definition of a modern fool.
The definition of a modern fool.
A Christian is the highest style of man:
A Christian is the best kind of person:
And is there, who the blessed cross wipes off,
And is there anyone whom the blessed cross cleanses,
As a foul blot from his dishonour’d brow? 790
As a shameful mark on his dishonored brow?790
If angels tremble, ’tis at such a sight:
If angels tremble, it’s at a sight like this:
The wretch they quit, desponding of their charge,
The unfortunate person they left, giving up hope for their responsibility,
More struck with grief or wonder, who can tell?
More struck with grief or wonder, who can say?
Ye sold to sense! ye citizens of earth!
You sold out to reason! You citizens of Earth!
(For such alone the Christian banner fly)
(For such alone the Christian banner fly)
Know ye how wise your choice, how great your gain?
Do you realize how wise your choice is and how much you'll gain?
Behold the picture of earth’s happiest man:
Here’s the image of the happiest man on earth:
“He calls his wish, it comes; he sends it back,
“He calls for his wish, it arrives; he sends it back,
And says, he call’d another; that arrives,
And says he called someone else; that person arrives,
Meets the same welcome; yet he still calls on; 800
Meets the same welcome; yet he still calls on;800
Till one calls him, who varies not his call,
Till one calls him, who doesn’t change his call,
But holds him fast, in chains of darkness bound,
But keeps him tightly bound in chains of darkness,
Till nature dies, and judgment sets him free;
Till nature dies, and judgment releases him;
A freedom far less welcome than his chain.”
A freedom that feels much less inviting than his captivity.
But grant man happy; grant him happy long;
But make man happy; make him happy for a long time;
Add to life’s highest prize her latest hour;
Add to life’s greatest reward her most recent moment;
That hour, so late, is nimble in approach,
That hour, so late, comes quickly,
That, like a post, comes on in full career:
That, like a letter, comes charging in full speed:
How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!
How quickly the shuttle moves that weaves your shroud!
Where is the fable of thy former years? 810
Where is the story of your past years?810
Thrown down the gulf of time; as far from thee
Thrown down the abyss of time; as far from you
As they had ne’er been thine; the day in hand,
As they had never been yours; the day at hand,
Like a bird struggling to get loose, is going;
Like a bird trying to break free, is going;
Scarce now possess’d, so suddenly ’tis gone;
Scarce now held, and just like that it’s gone;
And each swift moment fled, is death advanced
And each quick moment that passed was a step closer to death.
By strides as swift. Eternity is all;
By swift strides. Eternity is everything;
And whose eternity? Who triumphs there?
And whose forever is it? Who comes out on top there?
Bathing for ever in the font of bliss!
Bathing forever in the fountain of happiness!
For ever basking in the Deity!
Always basking in the divine!
Lorenzo! who?—Thy conscience shall reply. 820
Lorenzo! Who? Your conscience will answer.
O give it leave to speak! ’twill speak ere long,
O let it speak! It will soon talk,
Thy leave unask’d; Lorenzo! hear it now,
Thy leave unask’d; Lorenzo! hear it now,
While useful its advice, its accents mild.
While the advice is helpful, its tone is gentle.
By the great edict, the divine decree,
By the major order, the heavenly command,
Truth is deposited with man’s last hour;
Truth is revealed in a person's final moments;
An honest hour, and faithful to her trust;
An honest hour, and true to her promise;
Truth, eldest daughter of the Deity;
Truth, the oldest daughter of the Deity;
Truth, of his council, when he made the worlds;
Truth, of his council, when he created the worlds;
Nor less, when he shall judge the worlds he made;
Nor less, when he judges the worlds he created;
Though silent long, and sleeping ne’er so sound, 830
Though silent for a long time, and never sleeping so soundly, 830
Smother’d with errors, and oppress’d with toys,
Smothered with mistakes and weighed down by trivial things,
That heaven-commission’d hour no sooner calls,
That heavenly hour calls as soon as it arrives,
But from her cavern in the soul’s abyss,
But from her space in the depths of the soul,
Like him they fable under Ætna whelm’d, 834
Like him, they tell stories under the weight of Ætna,
The goddess bursts in thunder, and in flame;
The goddess erupts in thunder and fire;
Loudly convinces, and severely pains.
Loudly persuades, and deeply hurts.
Dark demons I discharge, and hydra-stings;
Dark demons I release, and hydra stings;
The keen vibration of bright truth—is hell:
The sharp vibration of clear truth—is hell:
Just definition! though by schools untaught.
Just definition! though by schools uneducated.
Ye deaf to truth! peruse this parson’d page, 840
Ye deaf to truth! peruse this parsoned page,840
And trust, for once, a prophet, and a priest;
And for once, trust a prophet and a priest;
“Men may live fools, but fools they cannot die.”
“Men may live as fools, but fools they cannot die.”
THE RELAPSE.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
THE EARL OF LICHFIELD.
TO THE HONORABLE
THE EARL OF LICHFIELD.
NIGHT FIFTH.
NIGHT 5.
THE RELAPSE.
Lorenzo! to recriminate is just.
Lorenzo! It's fair to criticize.
Fondness for fame is avarice of air.
Fondness for fame is greed for attention.
I grant the man is vain who writes for praise.
I admit the man is conceited who writes for approval.
Praise no man e’er deserved, who sought no more.
Praise no man ever deserved, who sought nothing more.
As just thy second charge. I grant the Muse
As just your second task. I grant the Muse
Has often blush’d at her degenerate sons,
Has often blushed at her wayward sons,
Retain’d by sense to plead her filthy cause;
Retained by feeling to argue her dirty case;
To raise the low, to magnify the mean,
To uplift the low, to emphasize the average,
And subtilize the gross into refined:
And refine the coarse into the delicate:
As if to magic numbers’ powerful charm 10
As if to the powerful charm of magic numbers10
’Twas given, to make a civet of their song
It was given, to create a fragrance from their song.
Obscene, and sweeten ordure to perfume.
Obscene, and sweeten waste to create fragrance.
Wit, a true Pagan, deifies the brute,
Wit, a true Pagan, idolizes the beast,
And lifts our swine-enjoyments from the mire.
And raises our pleasures from the mud.
The fact notorious, nor obscure the cause.
The fact is notorious, nor is the cause obscure.
We wear the chains of pleasure and of pride.
We wear the chains of enjoyment and of arrogance.
These share the man; and these distract him too;
These things occupy the man's mind, and they also distract him.
Draw different ways, and clash in their commands.
Draw different ways and clash in their orders.
Pride, like an eagle, builds among the stars;
Pride, like an eagle, soars among the stars;
But pleasure, lark-like, nests upon the ground. 20
But happiness, like a lark, settles on the ground.20
Joys shared by brute creation, pride resents; 21
Joys shared by wild creatures, pride resents;21
Pleasure embraces: man would both enjoy,
Pleasure surrounds us: people want to experience joy,
And both at once: a point so hard, how gain!
And both at the same time: such a challenging goal, how can we achieve it!
But, what can’t wit, when stung by strong desire?
But, what can’t humor do when it’s driven by intense desire?
Wit dares attempt this arduous enterprise.
Wit bravely takes on this challenging task.
Since joys of sense can’t rise to reason’s taste;
Since the pleasures of the senses can't compare to what reason appreciates;
In subtle sophistry’s laborious forge,
In the complex craft of persuasion,
Wit hammers out a reason new, that stoops
Wit creates a fresh reason that bends
To sordid scenes, and meets them with applause.
To dirty scenes, and greets them with applause.
Wit calls the graces the chaste zone to loose; 30
Wit refers to the graces as the pure zone to release; 30
Nor less than a plump god to fill the bowl:
Nor less than a well-fed god to fill the bowl:
A thousand phantoms, and a thousand spells,
A thousand ghosts, and a thousand charms,
A thousand opiates scatters, to delude,
A thousand opiates spread out to deceive,
To fascinate, inebriate, lay asleep,
To captivate, intoxicate, lull to sleep,
And the fool’d mind delightfully confound.
And the foolish mind will happily be confused.
Thus that which shock’d the judgment, shocks no more;
Thus what once shocked the judgment no longer does.
That which gave Pride offence, no more offends.
What once bothered Pride no longer does.
Pleasure and Pride, by nature mortal foes,
Pleasure and Pride, natural enemies,
At war eternal, which in man shall reign,
At an endless war, which man will dominate,
By Wit’s address, patch up a fatal peace, 40
By Wit’s address, fix a deadly peace,40
And hand in hand lead on the rank debauch,
And side by side, they guide the wild partying,
From rank refined to delicate and gay.
From basic and crude to elegant and cheerful.
Art, cursed Art! wipes off th’ indebted blush
Art, cursed Art! wipes away the guilty blush
From Nature’s cheek, and bronzes every shame.
From Nature's cheek, and gives color to every embarrassment.
Man smiles in ruin, glories in his guilt,
Man smiles in destruction, revels in his guilt,
And infamy stands candidate for praise.
And infamy is a contender for praise.
All writ by man in favour of the soul,
All writing by man in support of the soul,
These sensual ethics far, in bulk, transcend.
These sensual ethics go beyond.
The flowers of eloquence, profusely pour’d
The flowers of eloquence, abundantly poured
O’er spotted vice, fill half the letter’d world. 50
O’er spotted vice, fill half the educated world.50
Can powers of genius exorcise their page,
Can the powers of genius drive away their words,
And consecrate enormities with song?
And celebrate great things with song?
But let not these inexpiable strains
But don't let these unresolved tensions
Condemn the Muse that knows her dignity;
Condemn the Muse who knows her worth;
Nor meanly stops at time, but holds the world 55
Nor does it stop at time, but holds the world55
As ’tis, in nature’s ample field, a point,
As it is, in nature's vast landscape, a point,
A point in her esteem; from whence to start,
A point in her respect; from where to begin,
And run the round of universal space,
And travel the vastness of the universe,
To visit being universal there,
To visit is universal there,
And being’s source, that utmost flight of mind!
And the source of being, that highest level of thought!
Yet, spite of this so vast circumference,
Yet, despite this huge size,
Well knows, but what is moral, nought is great. 62
Well known, but what is moral, nothing is great.62
Sing syrens only? Do not angels sing?
Sing only sirens? Don’t angels sing too?
There is in Poesy a decent pride,
There is in poetry a respectable pride,
Which well becomes her when she speaks to Prose,
Which suits her well when she talks to Prose,
Her younger sister; haply, not more wise.
Her younger sister, probably not any wiser.
Think’st thou, Lorenzo! to find pastimes here?
Do you think, Lorenzo, that you'll find fun here?
No guilty passion blown into a flame,
No guilty passion ignited into a blaze,
No foible flatter’d, dignity disgraced,
No flaw flattered, dignity disrespected,
No fairy field of fiction, all on flower, 70
No magical realm of stories, all in bloom,70
No rainbow colours here, or silken tale:
No rainbow colors here, or silky story:
But solemn counsels, images of awe,
But serious advice, images of respect,
Truths, which eternity lets fall on man
Truths that eternity reveals to humanity
With double weight, through these revolving spheres,
With double the weight, through these spinning realms,
This death-deep silence, and incumbent shade:
This deep silence of death, and the heavy shade:
Thoughts, such as shall revisit your last hour;
Thoughts that will come back to you in your final moments;
Visit uncall’d, and live when life expires;
Visit uninvited, and live when life ends;
And thy dark pencil, Midnight! darker still
And your dark pencil, Midnight! even darker still
In melancholy dipp’d, embrowns the whole.
Sadness clouds everything.
Yet this, even this, my laughter-loving friends! 80
Yet this, even this, my friends who love to laugh!80
Lorenzo! and thy brothers of the smile!
Lorenzo! And your happy brothers!
If, what imports you most, can most engage,
If what matters to you the most can capture your attention,
Shall steal your ear, and chain you to my song.
Shall grab your attention and bind you to my song.
Or if you fail me, know, the wise shall taste
Or if you let me down, know that the wise will experience
The truths I sing; the truths I sing shall feel;
The truths I sing; the truths I sing will be felt;
And, feeling, give assent; and their assent
And, feeling, agree; and their agreement
Is ample recompence; is more than praise.
Is generous reward; is more than just praise.
But chiefly thine, O Lichfield! nor mistake;
But mainly yours, O Lichfield! and don't get it wrong;
Think not unintroduced I force my way; 89
Think not that I push my way in uninvited; 89
Narcissa, not unknown, not unallied,
Narcissa, known and connected,
By virtue, or by blood, illustrious youth!
By virtue or by blood, remarkable young person!
To thee, from blooming amaranthine bowers,
To you, from blooming everlasting gardens,
Where all the language harmony, descends
Where all the language harmony comes down
Uncall’d, and asks admittance for the Muse:
Uninvited, and requests entry for the Muse:
A Muse that will not pain thee with thy praise;
A Muse that won’t hurt you with your praise;
Thy praise she drops, by nobler still inspired.
Your praise she sets aside, inspired by something even greater.
O Thou! Blest Spirit! whether the supreme,
O You! Blessed Spirit! whether the supreme,
Great antemundane Father! in whose breast
Great antemundane Father! in whose breast
Embryo creation, unborn being, dwelt,
Embryo creation, unborn being, lived,
And all its various revolutions roll’d 100
And all its various revolutions rolled100
Present, though future; prior to themselves;
Present, but future; before them;
Whose breath can blow it into nought again;
Whose breath can blow it away again;
Or, from his throne some delegated power,
Or, from his throne, he delegated some power,
Who, studious of our peace, dost turn the thought
Who, focused on our peace, turns the thought
From vain and vile, to solid and sublime!
From shallow and mean, to strong and extraordinary!
Unseen thou lead’st me to delicious draughts
Unseen, you lead me to delicious drinks.
Of inspiration, from a purer stream,
Of inspiration, from a clearer source,
And fuller of the god, than that which burst
And more filled with the divine than that which exploded
From famed Castalia: nor is yet allay’d
From the famous Castalia: nor is it yet calmed
My sacred thirst; though long my soul has ranged 110
My deep longing; even though my soul has wandered for a long time
Through pleasing paths of moral, and divine,
Through enjoyable paths of morality and divinity,
By Thee sustain’d, and lighted by the stars.
By You supported, and lit by the stars.
By them best lighted are the paths of thought:
By them, the paths of thought are best illuminated:
Nights are their days, their most illumined hours.
Nights are their days, their brightest hours.
By day, the soul, o’erborne by life’s career,
By day, the soul, overwhelmed by life's path,
Stunn’d by the din, and giddy with the glare,
Stunned by the noise and dizzy from the bright light,
Reels far from reason, jostled by the throng.
Reeling far from logic, bumped around by the crowd.
By day the soul is passive, all her thoughts
By day, the soul is passive, all her thoughts
Imposed, precarious, broken ere mature.
Imposed, unstable, broken before mature.
By night, from objects free, from passion cool, 120
By night, away from things, calm and collected, 120
Thoughts uncontroll’d, and unimpress’d, the births
Thoughts uncontrolled and unformed, the beginnings
Of pure election, arbitrary range,
Of pure election, random range,
Not to the limits of one world confined; 123
Not limited to just one world; 123
But from ethereal travels light on earth,
But from light travels through the air to earth,
As voyagers drop anchor, for repose.
As travelers drop anchor to rest.
Let Indians, and the gay, like Indians, fond
Let Indians, and the LGBTQ+ community, like Indians, fond
Of feather’d fopperies, the sun adore:
Of feathered fancies, the sun adores:
Darkness has more divinity for me;
Darkness feels more divine to me;
It strikes thought inward; it drives back the soul
It pushes thoughts inside; it pushes the soul back.
To settle on herself, our point supreme! 130
To focus on herself, our ultimate goal!130
There lies our theatre; there sits our judge.
There is our theater; there is our judge.
Darkness the curtain drops o’er life’s dull scene;
Darkness falls over life's boring stage;
’Tis the kind hand of Providence stretch’d out
It’s the kind hand of Providence stretched out
’Twixt man and vanity; ’tis reason’s reign,
'Twixt man and vanity; it’s reason’s rule,
And virtue’s too; these tutelary shades
And virtue’s too; these protective shadows
Are man’s asylum from the tainted throng.
Are man’s refuge from the corrupted crowd.
Night is the good man’s friend, and guardian too;
Night is a good man's friend and protector;
It no less rescues virtue, than inspires.
It both saves virtue and inspires it.
Virtue, for ever frail, as fair, below,
Virtue, always delicate, yet beautiful, down here,
Her tender nature suffers in the crowd, 140
Her gentle nature struggles in the crowd,140
Nor touches on the world, without a stain:
Nor touches the world without a mark:
The world’s infectious; few bring back at eve.
The world is contagious; not many return by evening.
Immaculate, the manners of the morn.
Immaculate, the manners of the morning.
Something we thought, is blotted; we resolved,
Something we thought is erased; we decided,
Is shaken; we renounced, returns again.
Is shaken; we gave up, but it comes back again.
Each salutation may slide in a sin
Each greeting may slide into a sin
Unthought before, or fix a former flaw.
Unthought before, or correct a past mistake.
Nor is it strange: light, motion, concourse, noise,
Nor is it strange: light, movement, gathering, noise,
All, scatter us abroad; thought outward-bound,
All, scatter us abroad; thought outward-bound,
Neglectful of our home affairs, flies off 150
Neglectful of our home affairs, flies off150
In fume and dissipation, quits her charge,
In smoke and waste, she leaves her responsibilities,
And leaves the breast unguarded to the foe.
And leaves the chest exposed to the enemy.
Present example gets within our guard,
Present example gets past our guard,
And acts with double force, by few repell’d.
And acts with double strength, rarely pushed back by anyone.
Ambition fires ambition; love of gain
Ambition fuels ambition; greed for gain
Strikes, like a pestilence, from breast to breast;
Strikes, like a disease, from one person to another;
Riot, pride, perfidy, blue vapours breathe; 157
Riot, pride, betrayal, and blue fumes fill the air; 157
And inhumanity is caught from man,
And people can catch inhumanity from one another,
From smiling man. A slight, a single glance,
From smiling man. A slight, a single glance,
And shot at random, often has brought home
And shot at random, often has brought home
A sudden fever, to the throbbing heart,
A sudden fever, to the pounding heart,
Of envy, rancour, or impure desire.
Of jealousy, bitterness, or unclean wishes.
We see, we hear, with peril; safety dwells 163
We see and hear, but there's danger; safety lives here.
Remote from multitude; the world’s a school
Remote from the crowd; the world is a classroom.
Of wrong, and what proficients swarm around!
Of wrong, and how many people gather around!
We must, or imitate, or disapprove;
We either have to imitate or reject.
Must list as their accomplices, or foes;
Must list as their accomplices or enemies;
That stains our innocence; this wounds our peace.
That tarnishes our innocence; this hurts our peace.
From nature’s birth, hence, wisdom has been smit
From the beginning of nature, wisdom has been struck.
With sweet recess, and languish’d for the shade. 170
With pleasant breaks and longing for the shade.170
This sacred shade, and solitude, what is it?
This holy shade and solitude, what is it?
’Tis the felt presence of the Deity.
It’s the sensed presence of the divine.
Few are the faults we flatter when alone.
Few are the flaws we admire when we're by ourselves.
Vice sinks in her allurements, is ungilt,
Vice sinks in her temptations, is unmasked,
And looks, like other objects, black by night.
And looks, like other things, black at night.
By night an atheist half believes a God.
By night, an atheist partly believes in God.
Night is fair virtue’s immemorial friend;
Night is the timeless friend of fair virtue;
The conscious moon, through every distant age,
The aware moon, throughout every distant era,
Has held a lamp to wisdom, and let fall,
Has illuminated wisdom and let fall,
On contemplation’s eye, her purging ray. 180
On the eye of reflection, her cleansing light.180
The famed Athenian,[17] he who woo’d from heaven
The famous Athenian,[17] the one who courted from the heavens
Philosophy the fair, to dwell with men,
Philosophy the fair, to dwell with men,
And form their manners, not inflame their pride,
And shape their behavior, not boost their ego,
While o’er his head, as fearful to molest
While above his head, as if afraid to disturb
His labouring mind, the stars in silence slide,
His busy mind, the stars move quietly,
And seem all gazing on their future guest,
And everyone looks at their future guest,
See him soliciting his ardent suit
See him pursuing his passionate request
In private audience: all the live-long night,
In a private meeting: all night long,
Rigid in thought, and motionless, he stands;
Rigid in thought and motionless, he stands;
Nor quits his theme, or posture, till the sun 190
Nor quits his theme, or posture, until the sun190
(Rude drunkard rising rosy from the main!)
(Rude drunkard rising rosy from the main!)
Disturbs his nobler intellectual beam,
Disturbs his higher thought process,
And gives him to the tumult of the world.
And hands him over to the chaos of the world.
Hail, precious moments! stolen from the black waste
Hail, precious moments! Snatched from the dark void.
Of murder’d time! Auspicious midnight! hail!
Of killed time! Lucky midnight! Hello!
The world excluded, every passion hush’d,
The world aside, every passion quieted,
And open’d a calm intercourse with Heaven,
And started a peaceful connection with Heaven,
Here the soul sits in council; ponders past,
Here the soul sits in a meeting; reflects on the past,
Predestines future, action; sees, not feels,
Predetermines the future, takes action; observes, doesn't feel,
Tumultuous life, and reasons with the storm; 200
Tumultuous life, and reasons with the storm;200
All her lies answers, and thinks down her charms.
All her lies answer and think down her charms.
What awful joy! what mental liberty!
What terrible joy! what freedom of mind!
I am not pent in darkness; rather say
I am not trapped in darkness; rather say
(If not too bold) in darkness I’m embower’d.
(If not too bold) in darkness I'm sheltered.
Delightful gloom! the clustering thoughts around
Delightful gloom! The thoughts gathering around
Spontaneous rise, and blossom in the shade;
Spontaneous growth, and blooming in the shade;
But droop by day, and sicken in the sun.
But they fade during the day and wilt in the sunlight.
Thought borrows light elsewhere; from that first fire,
Thought borrows light from somewhere else; from that first fire,
Fountain of animation! whence descends
Fountain of animation! where it comes down
Urania, my celestial guest! who deigns 210
Urania, my heavenly visitor! who graciously
Nightly to visit me, so mean; and now,
Nightly to visit me, so cruel; and now,
Conscious how needful discipline to man,
Conscious of how necessary discipline is for a person,
From pleasing dalliance with the charms of Night
From enjoying a delightful flirtation with the allure of Night
My wandering thought recalls, to what excites
My wandering thoughts remind me of what excites
Far other beat of heart! Narcissa’s tomb!
Far different rhythm of the heart! Narcissa’s tomb!
Or is it feeble nature calls me back,
Or is it weak nature calling me back,
And breaks my spirit into grief again?
And breaks my spirit into sadness again?
Is it a Stygian vapour in my blood?
Is there a dark fog in my blood?
A cold, slow puddle, creeping through my veins?
A cold, slow puddle seeping through my veins?
Or is it thus with all men?—Thus with all. 220
Or is this how it is with all people?—Exactly like that for everyone.220
What are we? how unequal! Now we soar,
What are we? How unequal! Now we rise,
And now we sink; to be the same, transcends
And now we sink; to be the same goes beyond.
Our present prowess. Dearly pays the soul
Our current strength. Costs the soul dearly.
For lodging ill; too dearly rents her clay. 224
For staying sick; it costs her body too much.224
Reason, a baffled counsellor! but adds
Reason, a confused advisor! but adds
The blush of weakness to the bane of woe.
The shame of vulnerability to the source of suffering.
The noblest spirit fighting her hard fate,
The bravest soul battling against her tough destiny,
In this damp, dusky region, charged with storms,
In this humid, dim area, filled with storms,
But feebly flutters, yet untaught to fly;
But weakly flutters, still not able to fly;
Or, flying, short her flight, and sure her fall.
Or, flying, her flight was brief, and her fall was certain.
Our utmost strength, when down, to rise again;
Our greatest strength, when we fall, is to get back up again;
And not to yield, though beaten, all our praise. 232
And not to give up, even when defeated, all our praise.232
’Tis vain to seek in men for more than man.
It's pointless to expect more from people than what it means to be human.
Though proud in promise, big in previous thought,
Though proud in promise, big in past thoughts,
Experience damps our triumph. I, who late,
Experience diminishes our victories. I, who recently,
Emerging from the shadows of the grave,
Emerging from the shadows of the grave,
Where grief detain’d me prisoner, mounting high,
Where grief held me captive, rising high,
Threw wide the gates of everlasting day,
Threw open the gates of eternal daylight,
And call’d mankind to glory, shook off pain,
And called humanity to greatness, shook off suffering,
Mortality shook off, in ether pure, 240
Mortality shrugged off, in pure ether,240
And struck the stars; now feel my spirits fail;
And hit the stars; now I can feel my energy fading;
They drop me from the zenith; down I rush,
They drop me from the peak; down I rush,
Like him whom fable fledged[18] with waxen wings,
Like the one whom legend created[18] with wings made of wax,
In sorrow drown’d—but not in sorrow lost.
In sorrow drowned—but not lost in sorrow.
How wretched is the man who never mourn’d!
How miserable is the person who has never grieved!
I dive for precious pearl in sorrow’s stream:
I dive for precious pearls in the river of sorrow:
Not so the thoughtless man that only grieves;
Not the careless man who only feels sad;
Takes all the torment, and rejects the gain;
Takes all the pain and ignores the benefits;
(Inestimable gain!) and gives Heaven leave
(Invaluable gain!) and allows Heaven to intervene
To make him but more wretched, not more wise. 250
To make him even more miserable, not wiser.250
If wisdom is our lesson (and what else
If wisdom is our lesson (and what else
Ennobles man? what else have angels learn’d?),
Ennobles man? What else have angels learned?),
Grief! more proficients in thy school are made,
Grief! More skilled individuals in your school are trained,
Than genius, or proud learning, e’er could boast.
Than genius or proud knowledge could ever claim.
Voracious learning, often over-fed,
Intense learning, often overwhelmed,
Digests not into sense her motley meal.
Digests don't make sense of her mixed meal.
This book-case, which dark booty almost burst, 257
This bookshelf, which was almost overflowing with dark treasures,257
This forager on others’ wisdom, leaves
This forager relies on the wisdom of others, leaving
Her native farm, her reason, quite untill’d.
Her home farm, her reason, completely unplowed.
With mix’d manure she surfeits the rank soil,
With mixed fertilizer, she overfeeds the rich soil,
Dung’d, but not dress’d; and rich to beggary.
Dung'd, but not dressed; and wealthy to the point of being poor.
A pomp untameable of weeds prevails.
A wild overgrowth of weeds takes over.
Her servant’s wealth, encumber’d wisdom mourns. 263
Her servant's wealth, burdened by wisdom, mourns.263
And what says Genius? “Let the dull be wise.”
And what does Genius say? “Let the dull be wise.”
Genius, too hard for right, can prove it wrong;
Genius, too strong for what’s right, can show it’s wrong;
And loves to boast, where blush men less inspired.
And loves to brag, where shy guys feel less motivated.
It pleads exemption from the laws of sense;
It asks to be exempt from the laws of perception;
Considers reason as a leveller;
Views reason as an equalizer;
And scorns to share a blessing with the crowd.
And refuses to share a blessing with everyone.
That wise it could be, thinks an ample claim 270
That could be wise, thinks a strong claim270
To glory, and to pleasure gives the rest.
To glory, and to pleasure gives the rest.
Crassus but sleeps, Ardelio is undone.
Crassus is just sleeping, and Ardelio is finished.
Wisdom less shudders at a fool, than wit.
Wisdom is less disturbed by a fool than wit is.
But Wisdom smiles, when humbled mortals weep.
But Wisdom smiles when humbled people cry.
When sorrow wounds the breast, as ploughs the glebe,[19]
When grief hurts the heart, like plows the soil,[19]
And hearts obdurate feel her softening shower;
And stubborn hearts feel her gentle rain;
Her seed celestial, then, glad wisdom sows;
Her celestial seed, then, happily spreads wisdom;
Her golden harvest triumphs in the soil.
Her golden harvest thrives in the soil.
I’ll raise a tax on my calamity, 280
I’ll put a tax on my misfortune,280
And reap rich compensation from my pain.
And get a great reward from my suffering.
I’ll range the plenteous intellectual field;
I’ll explore the abundant world of ideas;
And gather every thought of sovereign power
And bring together every idea of ultimate authority.
To chase the moral maladies of man;
To pursue the moral problems of humanity;
Thoughts, which may bear transplanting to the skies,
Thoughts that could take root in the heavens,
Though natives of this coarse penurious soil;
Though natives of this rough, poor land;
Nor wholly wither there, where seraphs sing,
Nor completely fade away, where angels sing,
Refined, exalted, not annull’d, in heaven.
Refined, elevated, not canceled, in heaven.
Reason, the sun that gives them birth, the same
Reason, the sun that gives them life, the same
In either clime, though more illustrious there. 290
In either place, although it’s more esteemed there.290
These choicely cull’d, and elegantly ranged, 291
These carefully selected and beautifully arranged,291
Shall form a garland for Narcissa’s tomb;
Shall create a wreath for Narcissa’s grave;
And, peradventure, of no fading flowers.
And maybe, of no fading flowers.
Say on what themes shall puzzled choice descend?
Say, on what themes should confused choice settle?
“Th’ importance of contemplating the tomb;
“Th’ importance of contemplating the tomb;
Why men decline it; suicide’s foul birth;
Why men refuse it; the ugly origin of suicide;
The various kind of grief; the faults of age;
The different kinds of grief; the flaws of getting older;
And Death’s dread character—invite my song.”
And Death’s scary nature—invite my song.”
And, first th’ importance of our end survey’d.
And, first, let's consider the importance of our goal.
Friends counsel quick dismission of our grief: 300
Friends suggest we shouldn't dwell on our grief:300
Mistaken kindness! our hearts heal too soon.
Mistaken kindness! our hearts recover too quickly.
Are they more kind than He, who struck the blow?
Are they kinder than Him, who dealt the blow?
Who bid it do his errand in our hearts,
Who asked it to do its task in our hearts,
And banish peace, till nobler guests arrive,
And get rid of peace until better people come.
And bring it back, a true and endless peace?
And bring it back, a real and everlasting peace?
Calamities are friends: as glaring day
Calamities are friends: as bright as day
Of these unnumber’d lustres robs our sight;
Of these countless years, our vision is stolen;
Prosperity puts out unnumber’d thoughts
Prosperity inspires countless ideas
Of import high, and light divine, to man.
Of great importance and divine significance to humanity.
The man how blest, who, sick of gaudy scenes, 310
The man who is blessed, tired of flashy scenes,310
(Scenes apt to thrust between us and ourselves!)
(Scenes likely to come between us and our true selves!)
Is led by choice to take his favourite walk,
Is guided by his choice to take his favorite walk,
Beneath death’s gloomy, silent, cypress shades,
Beneath death's dark, quiet, cypress trees,
Unpierced by vanity’s fantastic ray;
Unaffected by vanity’s fantasy;
To read his monuments, to weigh his dust,
To read his monuments, to weigh his dust,
Visit his vaults, and dwell among the tombs!
Visit his vaults, and hang out among the tombs!
(Narcissa was thy favourite) let us read
(Narcissa was your favorite) let us read
Her moral stone; few doctors preach so well;
Her moral foundation; not many doctors teach so effectively;
Few orators so tenderly can touch 320
Few speakers can touch hearts so tenderly
The feeling heart. What pathos in the date!
The feeling heart. What emotion in the date!
Apt words can strike: and yet in them we see
Apt words can hit hard; and yet in them we see
Faint images of what we here enjoy.
Faint images of what we enjoy here.
What cause have we to build on length of life?
What reason do we have to rely on the length of our lives?
Temptations seize, when fear is laid asleep; 325
Temptations take hold when fear is put to rest;325
And ill foreboded is our strongest guard.
And bad omens are our strongest defense.
See from her tomb, as from an humble shrine,
See from her tomb, like from a humble shrine,
Truth, radiant goddess! sallies on my soul,
Truth, shining goddess! rushes into my soul,
And puts delusion’s dusky train to flight;
And drives away the dark train of delusion;
Dispels the mists our sultry passions raise,
Dispels the haze our intense feelings create,
From objects low, terrestrial, and obscene;
From objects that are small, earthly, and inappropriate;
And shows the real estimate of things; 332
And shows the actual assessment of things;332
Which no man, unafflicted, ever saw;
Which no unaffected person has ever seen;
Pulls off the veil from virtue’s rising charms;
Pulls away the veil from the rising beauty of virtue;
Detects temptation in a thousand lies.
Detects temptation in a thousand lies.
Truth bids me look on men, as autumn leaves,
Truth urges me to see people like autumn leaves,
And all they bleed for, as the summer’s dust,
And everything they sacrifice for, like the summer dust,
Driven by the whirlwind: lighted by her beams,
Driven by the whirlwind: lit by her rays,
I widen my horizon, gain new powers,
I expand my perspective and acquire new abilities,
See things invisible, feel things remote, 340
See things that can't be seen, feel things far away,340
Am present with futurities; think nought
Am present with future possibilities; think nothing
To man so foreign, as the joys possess’d;
To someone so unfamiliar, as the joys experienced;
Nought so much his, as those beyond the grave.
Nothing belongs to him as much as those who are beyond the grave.
No folly keeps its colour in her sight;
No foolishness stays hidden from her view;
Pale worldly wisdom loses all her charms;
Pale worldly wisdom loses all its appeal;
In pompous promise, from her schemes profound,
In grand promises, from her deep plans,
If future fate she plans, ’tis all in leaves,
If she plans for what’s to come, it’s all in the leaves,
Like Sibyl, unsubstantial, fleeting bliss!
Like Sibyl, insubstantial, fleeting happiness!
At the first blast it vanishes in air.
At the first blast, it disappears into thin air.
Not so, celestial: would’st thou know, Lorenzo! 350
Not so, celestial: do you want to know, Lorenzo!350
How differ worldly wisdom, and divine?
How do worldly wisdom and divine wisdom differ?
Just as the waning and the waxing moon.
Just like the shrinking and growing moon.
More empty worldly wisdom every day;
More meaningless worldly wisdom every day;
And every day more fair her rival shines.
And every day her rival shines brighter.
When later, there’s less time to play the fool.
When you get older, there’s less time to mess around.
Soon our whole term for wisdom is expired
Soon our entire period for wisdom is over.
(Thou know’st she calls no council in the grave):
(You know she calls no council in the grave):
And everlasting fool is writ in fire, 358
And an everlasting fool is written in fire,358
Or real wisdom wafts us to the skies.
Or true wisdom lifts us up to the skies.
As worldly schemes resemble Sibyl’s leaves,
As worldly plans resemble Sibyl's leaves,
The good man’s days to Sibyl’s books compare,
The good man's days are like Sibyl's books,
(In ancient story read, thou know’st the tale),
(In an old story you read, you know the tale),
In price still rising, as in number less,
In price still going up, while the quantity goes down,
Inestimable quite his final hour. 364
Invaluable was his final hour. 364
For that who thrones can offer, offer thrones;
For those who can offer thrones, offer thrones;
Insolvent worlds the purchase cannot pay.
Insolvent worlds cannot afford the purchase.
“O let me die his death!” all nature cries.
“O let me die his death!” all of nature cries.
“Then live his life”—all nature falters there;
“Then live his life”—everything in nature comes to a standstill there;
Our great physician daily to consult,
Our amazing doctor we meet with every day,
To commune with the grave, our only cure. 370
To connect with the grave, our only remedy.370
What grave prescribes the best?—A friend’s; and yet,
What grave prescribes the best?—A friend’s; and yet,
From a friend’s grave, how soon we disengage!
From a friend's grave, how quickly we move on!
Even to the dearest, as his marble, cold.
Even to the closest ones, he's as cold and unfeeling as marble.
Why are friends ravish’d from us? ’Tis to bind,
Why are friends taken from us? It’s to tie,
By soft affection’s ties, on human hearts,
By gentle bonds of love, on people's hearts,
The thought of death, which reason, too supine,
The thought of death, which reason, too lazy,
Or misemploy’d, so rarely fastens there.
Or misused, so rarely sticks there.
Nor reason, nor affection, no, nor both
Nor reason, nor emotion, no, neither or both
Combined, can break the witchcrafts of the world.
Combined, they can break the witchcraft of the world.
Behold, th’ inexorable hour at hand! 380
Behold, the relentless hour is here!380
Behold, th’ inexorable hour forgot!
Behold, the relentless hour forgotten!
And to forget it, the chief aim of life,
And to forget it, the main goal of life,
Though well to ponder it, is life’s chief end.
Though it's good to think about it, that's the main purpose of life.
Is Death, that ever threatening, ne’er remote,
Is Death, that ever-present threat, never far away,
That all-important, and that only sure
That crucial, and that only certain
(Come when he will), an unexpected guest?
(Come when he will), an unexpected guest?
Nay, though invited by the loudest calls
Nay, even when called out by the loudest voices
Of blind imprudence, unexpected still;
Of reckless foolishness, unexpectedly calm;
Though numerous messengers are sent before,
Though many messengers are sent ahead,
To warn his great arrival. What the cause, 390
To announce his grand arrival. What’s the reason, 390
The wondrous cause, of this mysterious ill? 391
The amazing reason behind this strange sickness?
All heaven looks down astonish’d at the sight.
All of heaven looks down, stunned by the sight.
Is it, that life has sown her joys so thick,
Is it that life has scattered her joys so abundantly,
We can’t thrust in a single care between?
We can’t put a single worry in between?
Is it, that life has such a swarm of cares,
Is life really so full of worries,
The thought of death can’t enter for the throng?
The thought of death can't enter for the crowd?
Is it, that time steals on with downy feet,
Is it that time sneaks by softly,
Nor wakes indulgence from her golden dream?
Nor does indulgence wake her from her golden dream?
To-day is so like yesterday, it cheats;
To day is so much like yesterday, it feels deceptive;
We take the lying sister for the same. 400
We consider the deceitful sister the same. 400
Life glides away, Lorenzo, like a brook;
Life flows away, Lorenzo, like a stream;
For ever changing, unperceived the change.
Forever changing, unnoticed is the change.
In the same brook none ever bathed him twice:
In the same stream, no one ever bathed him twice:
To the same life none ever twice awoke.
To the same life, no one ever woke up twice.
We call the brook the same; the same we think
We call the brook by the same name; it's what we think.
Our life, though still more rapid in its flow;
Our life, although it moves even faster now;
Nor mark the much, irrevocably lapsed,
Nor mark the many, permanently lost,
And mingled with the sea. Or shall we say
And mixed with the sea. Or should we say
(Retaining still the brook to bear us on)
(Retaining still the brook to carry us on)
That life is like a vessel on the stream? 410
That life is like a boat on a river?410
In life embark’d, we smoothly down the tide
In life’s journey, we glide effortlessly with the current.
Of time descend, but not on time intent;
Of time passing, but not with intent in mind;
Amused, unconscious of the gliding wave;
Amused, unaware of the smooth wave;
Till on a sudden we perceive a shock;
Till suddenly we feel a shock;
We start, awake, look out; what see we there?
We wake up and look outside; what do we see?
Our brittle bark is burst on Charon’s shore.
Our fragile skin has split on Charon’s shore.
Is this the cause death flies all human thought?
Is this the reason death haunts all human thought?
Or is it judgment, by the will struck blind,
Or is it judgment, by the will made blind,
That domineering mistress of the soul!
That controlling master of the soul!
Like him so strong, by Dalilah the fair? 420
Like him, so strong, by Delilah the beautiful? 420
Or is it fear turns startled reason back,
Or is it fear that makes reason retreat in shock,
From looking down a precipice so steep?
From looking down a cliff that's so steep?
’Tis dreadful; and the dread is wisely placed,
It’s terrible; and the fear is well-founded,
By nature, conscious of the make of man.
By nature, aware of what it means to be human.
A dreadful friend it is, a terror kind, 425
A terrible friend it is, a frightening kind,425
A flaming sword to guard the tree of life.
A fiery sword to protect the tree of life.
By that unawed, in life’s most smiling hour,
By that fearless moment, in life’s happiest hour,
The good man would repine; would suffer joys,
The good man would feel regret; would experience joys,
And burn impatient for his promised skies.
And burn impatient for his promised skies.
The bad, on each punctilious pique of pride,
The bad, with every precise annoyance of pride,
Or gloom of humour, would give rage the rein;
Or a bad mood would let anger take control;
Bound o’er the barrier, rush into the dark, 432
Bound over the barrier, rush into the dark,432
And mar the schemes of Providence below.
And ruin the plans of fate down here.
What groan was that, Lorenzo?—Furies! rise,
What was that groan, Lorenzo?—Furies! rise,
And drown in your less execrable yell
And get lost in your less terrible shout
Britannia’s shame. There took her gloomy flight,
Britannia's shame. There she took her gloomy flight,
On wing impetuous, a black sullen soul,
On swift wings, a dark, brooding spirit,
Blasted from hell, with horrid lust of death;
Blasted from hell, filled with a terrible desire for death;
Thy friend, the brave, the gallant Altamont,
Your friend, the brave and gallant Altamont,
So call’d, so thought—and then he fled the field. 440
So it was called, so it was thought—and then he ran away from the battlefield.440
Less base the fear of death, than fear of life.
Less fear of death than fear of life.
O Britain, infamous for suicide!
O Britain, known for suicide!
An island in thy manners! far disjoin’d
An island in your behavior! so far apart
From the whole world of rationals beside!
From the entire world of rational thoughts too!
In ambient waves plunge thy polluted head,
In the surrounding waves, dip your dirty head,
Wash the dire stain, nor shock the Continent.
Wash away the terrible stain, and don’t alarm the continent.
But thou be shock’d, while I detect the cause
But you will be shocked when I reveal the reason.
Of self-assault, expose the monster’s birth,
Of self-attack, reveal the monster's origin,
And bid abhorrence hiss it round the world.
And let hatred spread it around the world.
Blame not thy clime, nor chide the distant sun; 450
Blame not your climate, nor scold the distant sun;450
The sun is innocent, thy clime absolved:
The sun is innocent, your climate free from blame:
Immoral climes kind nature never made.
Immoral places are not part of nature's design.
The cause I sing, in Eden might prevail,
The reason I sing might succeed in Eden,
And proves, it is thy folly, not thy fate.
And proves, it is your mistake, not your destiny.
The soul of man (let man in homage bow,
The soul of man (let man in respect bow,
Who names his soul), a native of the skies!
Who names his soul, a native of the skies!
High-born, and free, her freedom should maintain,
High-born and free, she should keep her freedom.
Unsold, unmortgaged for earth’s little bribes.
Unsold, not mortgaged for life’s small temptations.
Th’ illustrious stranger, in this foreign land, 459
Th’ illustrious stranger, in this foreign land,459
Like strangers, jealous of her dignity,
Like strangers, envious of her pride,
Studious of home, and ardent to return,
Studious of home, and eager to return,
Of earth suspicious, earth’s enchanted cup
Of earth suspicious, earth’s enchanted cup
With cool reserve light touching, should indulge
With a calm and subtle touch, one should indulge.
On immortality her godlike taste;
On immortality, her divine taste;
There take large draughts, make her chief banquet there.
There, they take large drinks and make her main feast there.
But some reject this sustenance divine;
But some reject this divine nourishment;
To beggarly vile appetites descend;
To sink to base desires;
Ask alms of earth, for guests that came from heaven!
Ask the earth for help, for guests who came from heaven!
Sink into slaves; and sell, for present hire,
Sink into slaves; and sell, for immediate hire,
Their rich reversion, and (what shares its fate) 470
Their wealth came back, and (what also faced the same fate)
Their native freedom, to the prince who sways
Their natural freedom, to the prince who controls
This nether world. And when his payments fail,
This underworld. And when his payments stop,
When his foul basket gorges them no more,
When his dirty basket feeds them no more,
Or their pall’d palates loathe the basket full;
Or their tired taste buds are disgusted by the full basket;
Are instantly, with wild demoniac rage,
Are instantly filled with wild, demonic rage,
For breaking all the chains of Providence,
For breaking all the chains of fate,
And bursting their confinement; though fast barr’d
And breaking free from their confinement; even though they were tightly shut in
By laws divine and human; guarded strong
By divine and human laws; protected firmly
With horrors doubled to defend the pass,
With horrors greatly increased to defend the pass,
The blackest, nature, or dire guilt, can raise; 480
The darkest nature, or serious guilt, can arise;480
And moated round with fathomless destruction,
And surrounded by endless destruction,
Sure to receive, and whelm them in their fall.
Sure to receive, and overwhelm them in their downfall.
Such, Britons! is the cause, to you unknown,
Such, Britons! is the cause, to you unknown,
Or worse, o’erlook’d; o’erlook’d by magistrates,
Or worse, ignored; ignored by officials,
Thus criminals themselves. I grant the deed
Thus criminals themselves. I acknowledge the action.
Is madness, but the madness of the heart.
Is madness, but the madness of the heart.
And what is that? Our utmost bound of guilt.
And what does that mean? Our highest limit of guilt.
A sensual, unreflecting life, is big
A sensual, carefree life is great.
With monstrous births, and suicide, to crown
With monstrous births and suicide to top it off
The black infernal brood. The bold to break 490
The black, hellish offspring. The daring to disrupt490
Heaven’s law supreme, and desperately rush,
Heaven’s law is supreme, and it rushes desperately,
Through sacred Nature’s murder, on their own,
Through the killing of sacred Nature, on their own,
Because they never think of death, they die. 493
Because they never think about death, they die.493
’Tis equally man’s duty, glory, gain,
It is just as much a man's duty, glory, and benefit,
At once to shun, and meditate, his end.
At the same time, avoid and contemplate his purpose.
When by the bed of languishment we sit
When we sit by the bed of suffering
(The seat of wisdom! if our choice, not fate),
(The seat of wisdom! if our choice, not fate),
Or, o’er our dying friends, in anguish hang,
Or, over our dying friends, hang in anguish,
Wipe the cold dew, or stay the sinking head,
Wipe away the cold dew or hold up the drooping head,
Number their moments, and, in every clock, 500
Number their moments, and, in every clock,500
Start at the voice of an eternity;
Start at the voice of forever;
See the dim lamp of life just feebly lift
See the faint lamp of life barely rise
An agonizing beam, at us to gaze,
An excruciating beam, urging us to look,
Then sink again, and quiver into death,
Then sink again, and shiver into death,
That most pathetic herald of our own;
That most pitiful messenger of our own;
How read we such sad scenes? As sent to man
How do we read such sad scenes? As sent to humanity.
In perfect vengeance? No; in pity sent,
In perfect revenge? No; sent out of pity,
To melt him down, like wax, and then impress,
To melt him down, like wax, and then mold,
Indelible, Death’s image on his heart;
Indelible, Death's mark on his heart;
Bleeding for others, trembling for himself. 510
Bleeding for others, shaking for himself.510
We bleed, we tremble, we forget, we smile.
We bleed, we shake, we forget, we smile.
The mind turns fool, before the cheek is dry.
The mind becomes foolish before the cheek is dry.
Our quick-returning folly cancels all;
Our quick-returning folly cancels all;
As the tide rushing razes what is writ
As the tide rushes, it wipes away what is written.
In yielding sands, and smooths the letter’d shore.
In soft sands, and smooths the written shore.
Lorenzo! hast thou ever weigh’d a sigh?
Lorenzo! Have you ever measured a sigh?
Or studied the philosophy of tears?
Or studied the philosophy of tears?
(A science, yet unlectured in our schools!)
(A science that isn't taught in our schools yet!)
Hast thou descended deep into the breast,
Haven't you gone deep into the heart,
And seen their source? If not, descend with me, 520
And seen their source? If not, come down with me,520
And trace these briny rivulets to their springs.
And follow these salty streams back to their sources.
Our funeral tears from different causes rise,
Our tears for the dead come from different reasons,
As if from separate cisterns in the soul,
As if from different wells in the soul,
Of various kinds, they flow. From tender hearts,
Of different types, they flow. From gentle hearts,
By soft contagion call’d, some burst at once,
By a gentle infection called, some suddenly break out,
And stream obsequious to the leading eye.
And flow obediently to the guiding gaze.
Some ask more time, by curious art distill’d. 527
Some ask for more time, through a curious craft refined.527
Some hearts, in secret hard, unapt to melt,
Some hearts, secretly tough, unready to soften,
Struck by the magic of the public eye,
Struck by the allure of public attention,
Like Moses’ smitten rock, gush out amain.
Like Moses' struck rock, burst out forcefully.
Some weep to share the fame of the deceased,
Some cry to share in the fame of the deceased,
So high in merit, and to them so dear.
So valuable and cherished by them.
They dwell on praises, which they think they share; 533
They focus on compliments, which they believe they have in common;533
And thus, without a blush, commend themselves.
And so, without a hint of embarrassment, they praise themselves.
Some mourn, in proof that something they could love:
Some mourn, showing that there was something they could love:
They weep not to relieve their grief, but show.
They don't cry to ease their sorrow, but to display it.
Some weep in perfect justice to the dead,
Some cry in perfect justice for the dead,
As conscious all their love is in arrear.
As aware of their feelings, all their love is overdue.
Some mischievously weep, not unapprised
Some playfully cry, not unaware
Tears, sometimes, aid the conquest of an eye. 540
Tears can sometimes help win someone's gaze.540
With what address the soft Ephesians draw
With what charm the gentle Ephesians speak
Their sable network o’er entangled hearts!
Their dark network over tangled hearts!
As seen through crystal, how their roses glow,
As seen through crystal, how their roses shine,
While liquid pearl runs trickling down their cheek!
While liquid pearls trickle down their cheek!
Of hers not prouder Egypt’s wanton queen,
Of hers not prouder than Egypt’s seductive queen,
Carousing gems, herself dissolved in love.
Carousing gems, she was lost in love.
Some weep at death, abstracted from the dead,
Some people cry at death, disconnected from the deceased,
And celebrate, like Charles,[22] their own decease.
And celebrate, like Charles,[22] their own death.
By kind construction some are deem’d to weep,
By a kind interpretation, some are thought to cry,
Because a decent veil conceals their joy. 550
Because a nice veil hides their happiness.550
Some weep in earnest, and yet weep in vain;
Some cry sincerely, but still cry in vain;
As deep in indiscretion, as in woe.
As deeply in bad choices as in sorrow.
Passion, blind Passion! impotently pours
Passion, blind Passion! helplessly spills
Tears, that deserve more tears; while Reason sleeps;
Tears that deserve more crying, while Reason is asleep;
Or gazes like an idiot, unconcern’d;
Or stares like a fool, indifferent;
Nor comprehends the meaning of the storm;
Nor understands the meaning of the storm;
Knows not it speaks to her, and her alone.
Doesn't it know it speaks to her, and her only?
Irrationals all sorrow are beneath,
Irrationals all sorrow underneath,
That noble gift! that privilege of man!
That amazing gift! that privilege of being human!
From sorrow’s pang, the birth of endless joy. 560
From the pain of sorrow comes the birth of endless joy.560
But these are barren of that birth divine:
But these lack that divine birth:
They weep impetuous, as the summer storm,
They cry out passionately, like a summer storm,
And full as short! The cruel grief soon tamed,
And just as brief! The intense sadness quickly subdued,
They make a pastime of the stingless tale;
They turn the boring story into a hobby;
Far as the deep resounding knell, they spread
Far as the deep sounding bell, they spread
The dreadful news, and hardly feel it more.
The terrible news, and I can barely feel it any more.
No grain of wisdom pays them for their woe.
No piece of wisdom compensates them for their suffering.
Half-round the globe, the tears pump’d up by Death
Half-round the globe, the tears brought up by Death
Are spent in watering vanities of life;
Are spent on the empty pursuits of life;
In making folly flourish still more fair, 570
In making foolishness thrive even more beautifully,570
When the sick soul, her wonted stay withdrawn,
When the sick soul, her usual support taken away,
Reclines on earth, and sorrows in the dust;
Reclines on the ground and grieves in the dirt;
Instead of learning, there, her true support,
Instead of learning, there, her real support,
Though there thrown down her true support to learn.
Though there, she set aside her true support to learn.
Without Heaven’s aid, impatient to be bless’d,
Without Heaven's help, eager to be blessed,
She crawls to the next shrub, or bramble vile,
She crawls to the next bush, or nasty thicket,
Though from the stately cedar’s arms she fell;
Though she fell from the majestic cedar's branches;
With stale, forsworn embraces, clings anew,
With faded, broken promises, it holds on again,
The stranger weds, and blossoms, as before,
The stranger marries and flourishes, just like before,
In all the fruitless fopperies of life: 580
In all the pointless foolishness of life:580
Presents her weed, well-fancied, at the ball,
Presents her well-regarded weed at the party,
And raffles for the Death’s-head on the ring.
And raffles for the Death’s-head on the ring.
So wept Aurelia, till the destined youth
So Aurelia cried, until the destined young man
Stepp’d in, with his receipt for making smiles,
Stepped in, ready with his recipe for creating smiles,
And blanching sables into bridal bloom.
And turning dark furs into stunning white for a wedding.
So wept Lorenzo fair Clarissa’s fate;
So Lorenzo wept for the fate of fair Clarissa;
Who gave that angel boy, on whom he doats;
Who gave that angel boy, the one he adores;
And died to give him, orphan’d in his birth!
And died to give him a chance, orphaned from the start!
Not such, Narcissa, my distress for thee.
Not like that, Narcissa, my worry for you.
I’ll make an altar of thy sacred tomb, 590
I’ll build a shrine at your holy grave,590
To sacrifice to wisdom.—What wast thou?
To dedicate to wisdom.—Who were you?
“Young, gay, and fortunate!” Each yields a theme.
“Young, gay, and lucky!” Each represents a theme.
I’ll dwell on each, to shun thought more severe;
I’ll focus on each one, to avoid harsher thoughts;
(Heaven knows I labour with severer still!) 594
(Heaven knows I struggle even harder!)594
I’ll dwell on each, and quite exhaust thy death.
I’ll focus on each one and thoroughly explore your death.
A soul without reflection, like a pile
A soul without reflection, like a pile
Without inhabitant, to ruin runs.
Without inhabitants, ruins prevail.
And, first, thy youth. What says it to grey hairs?
And first, your youth. What does it say to gray hairs?
Narcissa, I’m become thy pupil now—
Narcissa, I'm your student now—
Early, bright, transient, chaste, as morning dew,
Early, bright, fleeting, pure, like morning dew,
She sparkled, was exhaled, and went to heaven.
She sparkled, breathed out, and went to heaven.
Time on this head has snow’d; yet still ’tis borne 602
Time has passed for this person; yet still they endure602
Aloft; nor thinks but on another’s grave.
Aloft; nor thinks about anything but someone else's grave.
Cover’d with shame I speak it, age severe
Covering my shame, I say it: aging is tough.
Old worn-out vice sets down for virtue fair;
Old, worn-out vice gives way to fair virtue;
With graceless gravity, chastising youth,
With awkward seriousness, scolding youth,
That youth chastised surpassing in a fault,
That young person was scolded for making a mistake,
Father of all, forgetfulness of death:
Father of all, forgetfulness of death:
As if, like objects pressing on the sight,
As if, like objects pushing into view,
Death had advanced too near us to be seen: 610
Death had come too close for us to see: 610
Or, that life’s loan Time ripen’d into right;
Or, that life’s loan Time matured into what is just;
And men might plead prescription from the grave;
And men might argue their right from beyond the grave;
Deathless, from repetition of reprieve.
Deathless from repeating reprieve.
Deathless? far from it! such are dead already;
Deathless? Not even close! They are already dead;
Their hearts are buried, and the world their grave.
Their hearts are buried, and the world is their grave.
Tell me, some god! my guardian angel! tell,
Tell me, some god! my guardian angel! tell,
What thus infatuates? what enchantment plants
What makes us obsessed? What magic takes root?
The phantom of an age ’twixt us, and Death
The ghost of an era lies between us and death.
Already at the door? He knocks, we hear,
Already at the door? He knocks, we hear,
And yet we will not hear. What mail defends 620
And yet we won't listen. What letter protects620
Our untouch’d hearts? what miracle turns off
Our untouched hearts? What miracle changes that?
The pointed thought, which from a thousand quivers
The sharp idea, which from a thousand vibrations
Is daily darted, and is daily shunn’d?
Is it targeted every day and avoided every day?
We stand, as in a battle, throngs on throngs
We stand, like in a battle, crowds on crowds
Around us falling; wounded oft ourselves;
Around us falling; wounded often ourselves;
Though bleeding with our wounds, immortal still!
Though we bleed from our wounds, we are still immortal!
We see Time’s furrows on another’s brow,
We see the signs of time on someone else's face,
And Death intrench’d, preparing his assault; 628
And Death, dug in, getting ready for his attack;628
How few themselves, in that just mirror, see,
How few actually see themselves in that clear mirror,
Or, seeing, draw their inference as strong!
Or, if they see it, make their conclusion just as strong!
There, death is certain; doubtful here: he must,
There, death is guaranteed; uncertain here: he must,
And soon; we may, within an age, expire.
And soon, we might not be around anymore in a generation.
Though grey our heads, our thoughts and aims are green;
Though our hair is grey, our thoughts and goals are still fresh.
Like damaged clocks, whose hand and bell dissent;
Like broken clocks, whose hands and bells disagree;
Folly sings six, while Nature points at twelve.
Folly sings six, while Nature points at twelve.
Absurd longevity! More, more! it cries:
Absurd longevity! More, more! it shouts:
More life, more wealth, more trash of every kind.
More life, more wealth, more trash of every kind.
And wherefore mad for more, when relish fails?
And why go crazy for more when you lose your taste for it?
Object, and appetite, must club for joy;
Object and desire must join together for happiness;
Shall Folly labour hard to mend the bow, 640
Shall Folly work hard to fix the bow,640
Baubles, I mean, that strike us from without,
Baubles, I mean, that hit us from the outside,
While Nature is relaxing every string?
While Nature is relaxing every string?
Ask thought for joy; grow rich, and hoard within.
Ask yourself for joy; become wealthy, and keep it inside.
Think you the soul, when this life’s rattles cease,
Think you the soul, when this life’s struggles end,
Has nothing of more manly to succeed?
Has anything more manly ever succeeded?
Contract the taste immortal; learn even now
Contract the taste of the eternal; learn even now
To relish what alone subsists hereafter.
To enjoy what only exists after this.
Divine, or none, henceforth your joys for ever.
Divine, or nothing, may your joys last forever.
Of age the glory is, to wish to die.
Of age, the glory is to want to die.
That wish is praise, and promise; it applauds 650
That wish is praise and a promise; it cheers.
Past life, and promises our future bliss.
Past life, and promises of our future happiness.
What weakness see not children in their sires?
What weaknesses do children see in their parents?
Grand-climacterical absurdities!
Ridiculous midlife nonsense!
Grey-hair’d authority, to faults of youth,
Grey-haired authority, regarding the faults of youth,
How shocking! it makes folly thrice a fool;
How shocking! It makes foolishness three times as foolish;
And our first childhood might our last despise.
And our first childhood might end up being our last disdain.
Peace and esteem is all that age can hope.
Peace and respect is all that getting older can hope for.
Nothing but wisdom gives the first; the last,
Nothing but wisdom provides the first; the last,
Nothing, but the repute of being wise.
Nothing, just the reputation of being wise.
Folly bars both; our age is quite undone. 660
Folly ruins everything; our time is completely messed up.660
What folly can be ranker? Like our shadows,
What foolishness could be worse? Just like our shadows,
Our wishes lengthen, as our sun declines. 662
Our desires grow longer as the sun sets.662
No wish should loiter, then, this side the grave.
No wish should linger, then, on this side of the grave.
Our hearts should leave the world, before the knell
Our hearts should leave the world before the bell tolls.
Calls for our carcases to mend the soil.
Calls for our bodies to enrich the soil.
Enough to live in tempest, die in port;
Enough to live in a storm, die in harbor;
Age should fly concourse, cover in retreat
Age should pass quickly, retreating silently.
Defects of judgment; and the will subdue;
Defects in judgment; and the will to overcome;
Walk thoughtful on the silent, solemn shore
Walk mindfully on the quiet, serious shore
Of that vast ocean it must sail so soon; 670
Of that vast ocean, it must sail soon;670
And put good works on board; and wait the wind
And get ready for good deeds; then wait for the wind.
That shortly blows us into worlds unknown:
That quickly sends us into unknown worlds:
If unconsider’d too, a dreadful scene!
If left unthought about too, it's a terrifying sight!
All should be prophets to themselves; foresee
All should be their own prophets; foresee
Their future fate; their future fate foretaste;
Their future destiny; a preview of their future destiny;
This art would waste the bitterness of death.
This art would transform the pain of death into something valuable.
The thought of death alone, the fear destroys.
The thought of death alone is enough to destroy with fear.
A disaffection to that precious thought
A dislike for that cherished idea
Is more than midnight darkness on the soul,
Is more than midnight darkness on the soul,
Which sleeps beneath it, on a precipice, 680
Which sleeps beneath it, on a cliff,680
Puff’d off by the first blast, and lost for ever.
Puffed out by the first blast and lost forever.
Dost ask, Lorenzo, why so warmly press’d,
Dost ask, Lorenzo, why so warmly pressed,
By repetition hammer’d on thine ear,
By repetition hammered into your ear,
The thought of death? That thought is the machine,
The thought of death? That thought is the engine,
The grand machine, that heaves us from the dust,
The huge machine that lifts us up from the dirt,
And rears us into men. That thought, plied home,
And raises us into men. That idea, emphasized,
Will soon reduce the ghastly precipice
Will soon lessen the terrifying cliff
O’er-hanging hell, will soften the descent,
O'er-hanging hell will ease the fall,
And gently slope our passage to the grave;
And softly guide our journey to the grave;
How warmly to be wish’d! What heart of flesh 690
How warmly to be wished for! What a heart of flesh!
Would trifle with tremendous? dare extremes?
Would you play games with something huge? Dare to go to extremes?
Yawn o’er the fate of infinite? What hand,
Yawn at the fate of the infinite? What hand,
Beyond the blackest brand of censure bold,
Beyond the toughest criticism,
(To speak a language too well known to thee),
(To speak a language too familiar to you),
Would at a moment give its all to chance, 695
Would at a moment give everything to chance,695
And stamp the die for an eternity?
And seal the deal for forever?
Aid me, Narcissa! aid me to keep pace
Aid me, Narcissa! help me to keep up
With Destiny; and ere her scissors cut
With Destiny; and before her scissors cut
My thread of life, to break this tougher thread
My thread of life, to cut this tougher thread
Of moral death, that ties me to the world.
Of moral death that keeps me connected to the world.
Sting thou my slumbering reason to send forth
Stir up my sleeping reason to send out
A thought of observation on the foe; 702
A thought about observing the enemy; 702
To sally; and survey the rapid march
To set out and inspect the swift journey
Of his ten thousand messengers to man;
Of his ten thousand messengers to humanity;
Who, Jehu-like, behind him turns them all.
Who, like Jehu, turns them all behind him.
All accident apart, by Nature sign’d,
All accidents aside, marked by Nature,
My warrant is gone out, though dormant yet;
My warrant is out, even if it's not active yet;
Perhaps behind one moment lurks my fate.
Perhaps my fate is hiding behind a single moment.
Must I then forward only look for Death?
Must I then just look forward to Death?
Backward I turn mine eye, and find him there. 710
Backward I look, and find him there.710
Man is a self-survivor every year.
Man is a survivor every year.
Man, like a stream, is in perpetual flow.
Man, like a river, is always changing.
My youth, my noontide, his; my yesterday;
My youth, my prime, his; my past;
The bold invader shares the present hour.
The bold invader shares this moment.
Each moment on the former shuts the grave.
Each moment on the former closes the grave.
While man is growing, life is in decrease;
While people are growing, life is declining;
And cradles rock us nearer to the tomb.
And cradles gently rock us closer to the grave.
Our birth is nothing but our death begun;
Our birth is just the start of our death;
As tapers waste, that instant they take fire. 720
As candles burn down, that's the moment they ignite.720
Shall we then fear, lest that should come to pass,
Shall we then be afraid that this might happen,
Which comes to pass each moment of our lives?
Which happens every moment of our lives?
If fear we must, let that Death turn us pale,
If we must be afraid, let Death make us pale,
Which murders strength and ardour; what remains
Which destroys strength and passion; what is left
Should rather call on Death, than dread his call.
Should rather invite Death than fear his invitation.
Ye partners of my fault, and my decline!
You partners in my mistake and my downfall!
Thoughtless of death, but when your neighbour’s knell
Thoughtless about death, but when your neighbor's funeral bell
(Rude visitant!) knocks hard at your dull sense,
(Rude visitant!) knocks hard at your dull sense,
And with its thunder scarce obtains your ear! 729
And with its thunder barely reaches your ears!729
Be death your theme, in every place and hour;
Be death your theme, everywhere and at all times;
Nor longer want, ye monumental sires!
Nor do you longer wish, you monumental ancestors!
A brother tomb to tell you ye shall die.
A brother told you that you will die.
That death you dread (so great is Nature’s skill)
That death you fear (Nature is so skilled)
Know, you shall court before you shall enjoy.
Know that you must court before you can enjoy.
But you are learn’d; in volumes deep, you sit;
But you are knowledgeable; you sit among deep volumes;
In wisdom, shallow: pompous ignorance!
In wisdom, shallow: pretentious ignorance!
Would you be still more learned than the learn’d?
Would you know even more than the knowledgeable?
Learn well to know how much need not be known,
Learn well to understand how much doesn't need to be known,
And what that knowledge, which impairs your sense.
And what that knowledge does is mess with your mind.
Our needful knowledge, like our needful food, 740
Our essential knowledge, like our essential food,740
Unhedged, lies open in life’s common field;
Unprotected, stands exposed in the everyday world;
And bids all welcome to the vital feast.
And invites everyone to the important feast.
You scorn what lies before you in the page
You dismiss what is in front of you on the page.
Of Nature, and Experience, moral truth;
Of nature and experience, moral truth;
Of indispensable, eternal fruit;
Of essential, timeless value;
Fruit, on which mortals feeding, turn to gods:
Fruit, which humans eat, turns them into gods:
And dive in science for distinguish’d names,
And dive into science for distinguished names,
Dishonest fomentation of your pride!
Deceptive boosting of your ego!
Sinking in virtue, as you rise in fame.
Sinking in virtue while you rise in fame.
Your learning, like the lunar beam, affords 750
Your learning, like the light of the moon, offers750
Light, but not heat; it leaves you indevout,
Light, but not heat; it leaves you indifferent,
Frozen at heart, while speculation shines.
Frozen at heart, while speculation glows.
Awake, ye curious indagators! fond
Awake, you curious explorers!
Of knowing all, but what avails you known.
Of knowing everything, but what good does it do you to know?
If you would learn Death’s character, attend.
If you want to understand Death’s character, pay attention.
All casts of conduct, all degrees of health,
All types of behavior, all levels of health,
All dies of fortune, and all dates of age,
All fortunes fade, and all ages pass,
Together shook in his impartial urn,
Together shook in his impartial urn,
Come forth at random: or, if choice is made,
Come forward at random: or, if a choice is made,
The choice is quite sarcastic, and insults 760
The choice is pretty sarcastic and insulting760
All bold conjecture, and fond hopes of man.
All bold guesses and hopeful dreams of humanity.
What countless multitudes not only leave,
What countless numbers not only leave,
But deeply disappoint us, by their deaths! 763
But they deeply disappoint us with their deaths!763
Though great our sorrow, greater our surprise.
Though our sadness is great, our surprise is even greater.
Like other tyrants, Death delights to smite,
Like other tyrants, Death enjoys striking down,
What, smitten, most proclaims the pride of power,
What, in love, most shows off the pride of power,
And arbitrary nod. His joy supreme,
And a random nod. His joy was at its peak,
To bid the wretch survive the fortunate;
To let the unfortunate outlive the lucky;
The feeble wrap th’ athletic in his shroud;
The weak wrap the athlete in his shroud;
And weeping fathers build their children’s tomb: 770
And crying fathers create their children's graves:770
Me thine, Narcissa!—What though short thy date?
Me, yours, Narcissa!—So what if your time is short?
Virtue, not rolling suns, the mind matures.
Virtue, not just passing time, helps the mind grow.
That life is long, which answers life’s great end.
Life is long when it fulfills its true purpose.
The time that bears no fruit, deserves no name;
The time that doesn’t yield results deserves no name;
The man of wisdom is the man of years.
The wise man is the man with experience.
In hoary youth Methusalems may die;
In old age, even people as old as Methuselah can pass away;
O how misdated on their flattering tombs!
O how wrongly dated on their flattering tombstones!
Narcissa’s youth has lectured me thus far.
Narcissa’s youth has taught me so far.
And can her gaiety give counsel too?
And can her cheerfulness offer advice too?
That, like the Jews’ famed oracle of gems,[24] 780
That, like the Jews’ famous oracle of gems,[24]780
Sparkles instruction; such as throws new light,
Sparkles instruction; such as sheds new light,
And opens more the character of Death;
And reveals more about the character of Death;
Ill known to thee, Lorenzo! This thy vaunt:
Ill known to you, Lorenzo! This is your boast:
“Give Death his due, the wretched, and the old;
“Give Death what he deserves, the miserable, and the elderly;
Even let him sweep his rubbish to the grave;
Even let him sweep his trash to the grave;
Let him not violate kind Nature’s laws,
Let him not break the rules of nature,
But own man born to live as well as die.”
But every person is born to live as well as die.
Wretched and old thou givest him; young and gay
Wretched and old you give him; young and cheerful
He takes; and plunder is a tyrant’s joy.
He takes, and looting is a tyrant’s delight.
What if I prove, “The farthest from the fear, 790
What if I show, “The farthest from the fear,790
Are often nearest to the stroke of Fate?”
Are often closest to the stroke of Fate?”
All, more than common, menaces an end.
All, more than usual, threatens an end.
A blaze betokens brevity of life:
A fire suggests a short life:
As if bright embers should emit a flame,
As if bright sparks were to produce a flame,
Glad spirits sparkled from Narcissa’s eye,
Glad spirits sparkled in Narcissa’s eye,
And made youth younger, and taught life to live, 796
And made young people even younger, and showed life how to thrive,796
As Nature’s opposites wage endless war,
As nature's opposites fight a never-ending battle,
For this offence, as treason to the deep
For this crime, as betrayal to the profound
Inviolable stupor of his reign,
Unshakable daze of his reign,
Where Lust, and turbulent Ambition, sleep,
Where desire and restless ambition lie still,
Death took swift vengeance. As he life detests,
Death took swift vengeance. As he life hates,
More life is still more odious; and, reduced
More life is still more unbearable; and, reduced
By conquest, aggrandizes more his power. 803
By conquering, he further increases his power.803
But wherefore aggrandized? By Heaven’s decree,
But why glorified? By Heaven’s decree,
To plant the soul on her eternal guard,
To keep the soul on constant alert,
In awful expectation of our end.
In terrible anticipation of our end.
Thus runs Death’s dread commission: “Strike, but so
Thus runs Death’s dread commission: “Strike, but so
As most alarms the living by the dead.”
As most alarms the living by the dead.
Hence stratagem delights him, and surprise,
Hence, he enjoys clever plans and surprises,
And cruel sport with man’s securities. 810
And a cruel game with people's safety.810
Not simple conquest, triumph is his aim;
Not just conquest, but triumph is his goal;
And, where least fear’d, there conquest triumphs most.
And where fear is lowest, that's where victory is greatest.
This proves my bold assertion not too bold.
This shows that my bold claim isn't really that bold.
What are his arts to lay our fears asleep?
What are his skills to calm our fears?
Tiberian arts his purposes wrap up
Tiberian finishes his goals.
In deep dissimulation’s darkest night.
In the darkest night of deception.
Like princes unconfess’d in foreign courts,
Like princes who aren't revealed in foreign courts,
Who travel under cover, Death assumes
Who travel incognito, Death takes on
The name and look of life, and dwells among us.
The name and appearance of life, and lives among us.
He takes all shapes that serve his black designs: 820
He takes on any form that fits his dark plans:820
Though master of a wider empire far
Though ruler of a larger empire far
Than that o’er which the Roman eagle flew.
Than that over which the Roman eagle flew.
Like Nero, he’s a fiddler, charioteer,
Like Nero, he’s a musician and a charioteer,
Or drives his phaeton, in female guise;
Or drives his carriage, dressed as a woman;
Quite unsuspected, till, the wheel beneath,
Quite unexpectedly, until, the wheel below,
His disarray’d oblation he devours.
He devours his messy offering.
He most affects the forms least like himself,
He is most influenced by forms that are least like him,
His slender self. Hence burly corpulence
His slim figure. So, heavy bulk.
Is his familiar wear, and sleek disguise.
Is his usual attire and stylish disguise.
Behind the rosy bloom he loves to lurk, 830
Behind the beautiful flower, he loves to hide, 830
Or ambush in a smile; or wanton dive
Or surprise with a smile; or recklessly plunge
In dimples deep; love’s eddies, which draw in
In deep dimples; love's currents, which pull in
Unwary hearts, and sink them in despair.
Unwary hearts, and drag them into despair.
Such, on Narcissa’s couch he loiter’d long
Such, on Narcissa’s couch, he lingered for a long time.
Unknown; and, when detected, still was seen
Unknown; and, when found out, still was seen
To smile; such peace has innocence in death!
To smile; such peace innocence has in death!
Most happy they! whom least his arts deceive.
Most happy are those whom his tricks least deceive.
One eye on Death, and one full fix’d on heaven,
One eye on Death and the other focused on heaven,
Becomes a mortal, and immortal man.
Becomes both a mortal and an immortal man.
Long on his wiles a piqued and jealous spy, 840
Long on his tricks, a frustrated and jealous spy, 840
I’ve seen, or dreamt I saw, the tyrant dress;
I’ve seen, or dreamed I saw, the tyrant dressed;
Lay by his horrors, and put on his smiles.
Lay aside his fears, and put on his smiles.
Say, Muse, for thou remember’st, call it back,
Say, Muse, since you remember, bring it back,
And show Lorenzo the surprising scene;
And show Lorenzo the surprising scene;
If ’twas a dream, his genius can explain.
If it was a dream, his talent can explain.
’Twas in a circle of the gay I stood.
It was in a group of cheerful people that I stood.
Death would have enter’d; Nature push’d him back;
Death would have entered; Nature pushed him back;
Supported by a doctor of renown,
Backed by a reputable doctor,
His point he gain’d. Then artfully dismiss’d
His point was made. Then he skillfully let it go.
The sage; for Death design’d to be conceal’d. 850
The wise person; because Death intended to remain hidden.850
He gave an old vivacious usurer
He gave a lively old loan shark.
His meagre aspect, and his naked bones;
His thin appearance and his exposed bones;
In gratitude for plumping up his prey,
In gratitude for fattening up his prey,
A pamper’d spendthrift; whose fantastic air,
A spoiled spendthrift; whose extravagant behavior,
He took in change, and underneath the pride
He accepted change, and beneath the pride
Of costly linen, tuck’d his filthy shroud.
Of expensive linen, tucked his dirty shroud.
His crooked bow he straighten’d to a cane;
His bent bow he straightened into a cane;
And hid his deadly shafts in Myra’s eye.
And hid his deadly arrows in Myra’s eye.
The dreadful masquerader, thus equipp’d, 860
The terrible masquerader, thus equipped,
Out sallies on adventures. Ask you where?
Out we go on adventures. Want to know where?
Where is he not? For his peculiar haunts,
Where isn't he? For his unusual hangouts,
Let this suffice; sure as night follows day,
Let this be enough; just as night comes after day,
Death treads in pleasure’s footsteps round the world, 864
Death walks in the footsteps of pleasure around the world,864
When pleasure treads the paths, which reason shuns.
When pleasure walks the paths that reason avoids.
When, against reason, riot shuts the door,
When, despite logic, chaos slams the door,
And gaiety supplies the place of sense,
And happiness takes the place of common sense,
Then, foremost at the banquet, and the ball,
Then, at the front of the banquet and the ball,
Death leads the dance, or stamps the deadly die;
Death leads the dance, or rolls the fatal dice;
Nor ever fails the midnight bowl to crown. 870
Nor does the midnight bowl ever fail to crown.870
Gaily carousing to his gay compeers,
Gleefully partying with his cheerful friends,
Inly he laughs, to see them laugh at him,
Inly, he laughs, watching them laugh at him,
As absent far: and when the revel burns,
As far away: and when the party heats up,
When fear is banish’d, and triumphant thought,
When fear is gone, and confident thoughts,
Calling for all the joys beneath the moon,
Calling for all the joys under the moon,
Against him turns the key; and bids him sup
Against him turns the key, and invites him to eat.
With their progenitors—He drops his mask;
With their ancestors—He removes his mask;
Frowns out at full; they start, despair, expire.
Frowns out at full; they start, despair, expire.
Scarce with more sudden terror and surprise,
Scarce with more sudden fear and shock,
From his black mask of nitre, touch’d by fire, 880
From his black mask of saltpeter, touched by fire,880
He bursts, expands, roars, blazes, and devours.
He erupts, grows, shouts, burns, and consumes.
And is not this triumphant treachery,
And isn't this a triumphant betrayal,
And more than simple conquest, in the fiend?
And more than just conquest, in the devil?
And now, Lorenzo, dost thou wrap thy soul
And now, Lorenzo, do you wrap your soul
In soft security, because unknown
In low-level security, because unknown
Which moment is commission’d to destroy?
Which moment is meant to destroy?
In death’s uncertainty thy danger lies.
In the uncertainty of death, that's where your danger is.
Is death uncertain? Therefore thou be fix’d;
Is death uncertain? So you should be steadfast;
Fix’d as a sentinel, all eye, all ear,
Fixated like a guard, fully alert and attentive,
All expectation of the coming foe. 890
All anticipation of the approaching enemy.890
Rouse, stand in arms, nor lean against thy spear;
Rouse up, stand ready, and don’t lean on your spear;
Lest slumber steal one moment o’er thy soul,
Lest sleep take away even a moment of your soul,
And Fate surprise thee nodding. Watch, be strong:
And fate catches you off guard. Stay alert, be strong:
Thus give each day the merit, and renown,
Thus, give each day value and recognition,
Of dying well; though doom’d but once to die.
Of dying well; even though we're only destined to die once.
Nor let life’s period hidden (as from most)
Nor let life’s timeline be hidden (like it is for most)
Hide too from thee the precious use of life.
Hide from you the precious purpose of life.
Early, not sudden, was Narcissa’s fate. 898
Early, not suddenly, was Narcissa’s fate.898
Soon, not surprising, Death his visit paid.
Soon, not surprisingly, Death paid his visit.
Her thought went forth to meet him on his way,
Her thoughts went out to meet him on his way,
Nor gaiety forgot it was to die:
Nor did joy forget it was to die:
Though Fortune too (our third and final theme),
Though Fortune too (our third and final theme),
As an accomplice, play’d her gaudy plumes,
As an accomplice, she flaunted her flashy feathers,
And every glittering gewgaw, on her sight, 904
And every shiny trinket in her view,904
To dazzle, and debauch it from its mark.
To amaze and distract it from its purpose.
Death’s dreadful advent is the mark of man;
Death's awful arrival is the mark of humanity;
And every thought that misses it, is blind.
And every thought that overlooks it is clueless.
Fortune, with youth and gaiety, conspired
Fortune, along with youth and joy, teamed up
To weave a triple wreath of happiness
To create a triple crown of happiness
(If happiness on earth) to crown her brow. 910
(If happiness on earth) to crown her brow.910
And could Death charge through such a shining shield?
And could Death break through such a shining shield?
That shining shield invites the tyrant’s spear.
That shiny shield attracts the tyrant’s spear.
As if to damp our elevated aims,
As if to lower our high aspirations,
And strongly preach humility to man.
And really emphasize humility to people.
O how portentous is prosperity!
Oh how significant is success!
How, comet-like, it threatens, while it shines!
How, like a comet, it threatens while it shines!
Few years but yield us proof of Death’s ambition,
Few years show us proof of Death’s ambition,
To cull his victims from the fairest fold,
To pick his victims from the most beautiful group,
And sheath his shafts in all the pride of life.
And hide his arrows in all the pride of living.
When flooded with abundance, purpled o’er 920
When overwhelmed with plenty, covered in purple
With recent honours, bloom’d with every bliss,
With recent honors, filled with every happiness,
Set up in ostentation, made the gaze,
Set up in a showy way, caught attention,
The gaudy centre, of the public eye,
The flashy focus of attention,
When Fortune thus has toss’d her child in air,
When fate has thrown her child into the air,
Snatch’d from the covert of an humble state,
Snatched from the cover of a modest life,
How often have I seen him dropp’d at once,
How many times have I seen him suddenly dropped,
Our morning’s envy! and our evening’s sigh!
Our morning's jealousy! and our evening's sigh!
As if her bounties were the signal given,
As if her rewards were the signal given,
The flowery wreath to mark the sacrifice,
The floral wreath to commemorate the sacrifice,
And call Death’s arrows on the destined prey. 930
And send Death’s arrows at the chosen target.930
High Fortune seems in cruel league with Fate.
High Fortune seems to be in a harsh partnership with Fate.
Ask you for what? To give his war on man 932
Ask you for what? To give his war on man932
The deeper dread, and more illustrious spoil;
The greater fear, and more glorious reward;
Thus to keep daring mortals more in awe.
Thus, to keep brave humans more in awe.
And burns Lorenzo still for the sublime
And Lorenzo still longs for the extraordinary
Of life? to hang his airy nest on high,
Of life? to build his light nest up high,
On the slight timber of the topmost bough,
On the delicate wood of the highest branch,
Rock’d at each breeze, and menacing a fall?
Rocked with every breeze, threatening to fall?
Granting grim Death at equal distance there;
Granting grim Death at an equal distance there;
Yet peace begins just where ambition ends. 940
Yet peace starts right where ambition stops.940
What makes man wretched? Happiness denied?
What makes people miserable? Denied happiness?
Lorenzo! no: ’tis happiness disdain’d.
Lorenzo! No: it’s happiness rejected.
She comes too meanly dress’d to win our smile;
She comes dressed too poorly to earn our smile;
And calls herself Content, a homely name!
And calls herself Content, such a simple name!
Our flame is transport, and Content our scorn.
Our passion is movement, and our disdain is for emptiness.
Ambition turns, and shuts the door against her,
Ambition turns and closes the door on her,
And weds a toil, a tempest, in her stead;
And marries a struggle, a storm, in her place;
A tempest to warm transport near of kin.
A storm to bring close relatives together.
Unknowing what our mortal state admits,
Unaware of what our human condition allows,
Life’s modest joys we ruin, while we raise; 950
Life's simple pleasures we ruin, while we elevate; 950
And all our ecstasies are wounds to peace;
And all our joys are wounds to peace;
Peace, the full portion of mankind below.
Peace, the complete share of humanity below.
And since thy peace is dear, ambitious youth!
And since your peace is important, ambitious young person!
Of fortune fond! as thoughtless of thy fate!
Of fortune, so fickle! How carefree you are about your own fate!
As late I drew Death’s picture, to stir up
As I recently sketched a picture of Death to provoke
Thy wholesome fears; now, drawn in contrast, see
Your healthy fears; now, see them in contrast.
Gay Fortune’s, thy vain hopes to reprimand.
Gay Fortune, your empty hopes to scold.
See, high in air, the sportive goddess hangs,
See, high in the sky, the playful goddess floats,
Unlocks her casket, spreads her glittering ware,
Unlocks her chest, spreads out her sparkling treasures,
And calls the giddy winds to puff abroad 960
And calls the playful winds to blow widely
Her random bounties o’er the gaping throng.
Her random gifts over the eager crowd.
All rush rapacious; friends o’er trodden friends;
All rush eagerly; friends trampling over friends;
Sons o’er their fathers, subjects o’er their kings,
Sons over their fathers, subjects over their kings,
Priests o’er their gods, and lovers o’er the fair
Priests over their gods, and lovers over the beautiful
(Still more adored), to snatch the golden shower.
(Still more adored), to grab the golden shower.
Gold glitters most, where virtue shines no more;
Gold shines the brightest where virtue is absent;
As stars from absent suns have leave to shine. 967
As stars from missing suns are free to shine.967
Unkennell’d from the prisons, and the stews,
Unleashed from the jails and the brothels,
Pour in, all opening in their idol’s praise;
Pour in, all praising their idol;
All, ardent, eye each wafture of her hand,
All eagerly watch every movement of her hand,
And, wide-expanding their voracious jaws,
And, wide-open their hungry jaws,
Morsel on morsel swallow down unchew’d, 973
Morsel after morsel, swallowed down without chewing, 973
Untasted, through mad appetite for more;
Untasted, driven by a crazy desire for more;
Gorged to the throat, yet lean and ravenous still.
Gorged to the throat, yet thin and still starving.
Sagacious all, to trace the smallest game,
Sagacious all, to track the tiniest game,
And bold to seize the greatest. If (bless’d chance!)
And boldly seize the greatest. If (blessed chance!)
Court-zephyrs sweetly breathe, they launch, they fly,
Court breezes gently blow, they take off, they soar,
O’er just, o’er sacred, all-forbidden ground,
Over just, over sacred, all-forbidden ground,
Drunk with the burning scent of place or power, 980
Drunk with the intense smell of location or authority,980
Staunch to the foot of lucre, till they die.
Sticking to the pursuit of money, even until death.
Or, if for men you take them, as I mark
Or, if you take them for men, as I notice
Their manners, thou their various fates survey.
Their manners, though their different fates examine.
With aim mismeasured, and impetuous speed,
With an unclear aim and reckless speed,
Some darting, strike their ardent wish far off,
Some darting, strike their eager desire far away,
Through fury to possess it: some succeed,
Through rage to claim it: some succeed,
But stumble, and let fall the taken prize.
But trip and drop the prize you've taken.
From some, by sudden blasts, ’tis whirl’d away,
From some, it's suddenly blown away by fierce gusts,
And lodged in bosoms that ne’er dreamt of gain.
And settled in hearts that never imagined profit.
To some it sticks so close, that, when torn off, 990
To some it clings so tightly that, when it’s ripped off,990
Torn is the man, and mortal is the wound.
Torn is the man, and mortal is the wound.
Some, o’er-enamour’d of their bags, run mad,
Some, too in love with their bags, go crazy,
Groan under gold, yet weep for want of bread.
Groan under wealth, yet cry for the lack of food.
Together some (unhappy rivals!) seize,
Together some (unhappy rivals!) grab,
And rend abundance into poverty;
And turn abundance into poverty;
Loud croaks the raven of the law, and smiles:
Loudly caws the raven of the law, and smiles:
Smiles too the goddess; but smiles most at those
Smiles at the goddess; but smiles the most at those
(Just victims of exorbitant desire!)
(Just victims of excessive desire!)
Who perish at their own request, and, whelm’d
Who die by their own choice, and, overwhelmed
Beneath her load of lavish grants, expire. 1000
Beneath her burden of generous gifts, she fades away.1000
Fortune is famous for her numbers slain,
Fortune is known for the many who have fallen.
The number small, which happiness can bear. 1002
The number small, which happiness can bear.1002
Though various for a while their fates; at last
Though their fates were different for a while; in the end
One curse involves them all: at Death’s approach,
One curse affects them all: when Death comes near,
All read their riches backward into loss,
All viewed their wealth as a loss in reverse,
And mourn, in just proportion to their store.
And grieve, in a way that matches what they have.
And Death’s approach (if orthodox my song)
And if my song is traditional, then Death’s approach
Is hasten’d by the lure of Fortune’s smiles.
Is quickened by the pull of Fortune’s favors.
And art thou still a glutton of bright gold?
And are you still obsessed with shiny gold?
And art thou still rapacious of thy ruin? 1010
And are you still greedy for your own downfall?1010
Death loves a shining mark, a signal blow;
Death is drawn to a bright target, a decisive strike;
A blow, which, while it executes, alarms;
A hit that, while it happens, startles;
And startles thousands with a single fall.
And surprises thousands with a single drop.
As when some stately growth of oak, or pine,
As when a majestic oak or pine tree,
Which nods aloft, and proudly spreads her shade,
Which nods above, and proudly spreads her shade,
The sun’s defiance, and the flock’s defence;
The sun’s defiance, and the flock’s defense;
By the strong strokes of labouring hinds subdued,
By the hard work of laboring people subdued,
Loud groans her last, and, rushing from her height,
Loud groans her last, and, rushing from her height,
In cumbrous ruin, thunders to the ground:
In heavy ruin, it crashes to the ground:
The conscious forest trembles at the shock, 1020
The aware forest shakes at the impact,1020
And hill, and stream, and distant dale, resound.
And the hills, streams, and distant valley echo.
These high-aim’d darts of Death, and these alone,
These high-flying arrows of Death, and these only,
Should I collect, my quiver would be full.
Should I gather, my quiver would be full.
A quiver, which, suspended in mid-air,
A quiver, suspended in mid-air,
Or near heaven’s archer, in the zodiac, hung,
Or near heaven's archer, in the zodiac, hung,
(So could it be) should draw the public eye,
(So could it be) should draw the public's attention,
The gaze and contemplation of mankind!
The gaze and contemplation of humanity!
A constellation awful, yet benign,
A constellation that's awful but benign,
To guide the gay through life’s tempestuous wave;
To help the gay navigate life’s stormy seas;
Nor suffer them to strike the common rock, 1030
Nor let them hit the common rock,1030
“From greater danger to grow more secure,
“From greater danger to become more secure,
And, wrapt in happiness, forget their fate.”
And, wrapped in happiness, forget their fate.
Lysander, happy past the common lot,
Lysander, happier than others,
Was warn’d of danger, but too gay to fear.
Was warned of danger, but too cheerful to be afraid.
He woo’d the fair Aspasia: she was kind:
He courted the lovely Aspasia: she was gentle:
In youth, form, fortune, fame, they both were bless’d:
In their youth, they were both blessed with looks, luck, and fame:
All who knew, envied; yet in envy loved: 1037
All who knew envied; yet in their envy loved:1037
Can fancy form more finish’d happiness?
Can imagination create more complete happiness?
Fix’d was the nuptial hour. Her stately dome
Fix’d was the nuptial hour. Her stately dome
Rose on the sounding beach. The glittering spires
Rose on the sounding beach. The glittering spires
Float in the wave, and break against the shore:
Float in the wave, then crash against the shore:
So break those glittering shadows, human joys.
So shatter those sparkling shadows, human pleasures.
The faithless morning smiled: he takes his leave, 1043
The untrustworthy morning smiled: he says goodbye,1043
To re-embrace, in ecstasies, at eve.
To reconnect joyfully in the evening.
The rising storm forbids. The news arrives:
The approaching storm is prohibited. The news comes in:
Untold, she saw it in her servant’s eye.
Untold, she saw it in her servant's eyes.
She felt it seen (her heart was apt to feel);
She felt it was noticed (her heart was likely to feel);
And, drown’d, without the furious ocean’s aid,
And, drowned, without the wild ocean’s help,
In suffocating sorrows, shares his tomb.
In overwhelming sadness, he shares his grave.
Now, round the sumptuous bridal monument, 1050
Now, around the lavish bridal monument,1050
The guilty billows innocently roar;
The guilty waves roar innocently;
And the rough sailor passing, drops a tear.
And the tough sailor walking by sheds a tear.
A tear?—can tears suffice?—But not for me.
A tear?—can tears really make a difference?—But not for me.
How vain our efforts! and our arts, how vain!
How pointless our efforts are! And our skills, how pointless!
The distant train of thought I took, to shun,
The distant train of thought I took, to shun,
Has thrown me on my fate—these died together;
Has left me to my fate—these died together;
Happy in ruin! undivorced by death!
Happy in ruin! not separated by death!
Narcissa! pity bleeds at thought of thee.
Narcissa! It pains me to think of you.
Yet thou wast only near me; not myself. 1060
Yet you were only close to me; not me. 1060
Survive myself?—That cures all other woe.
Survive myself?—That fixes all other problems.
Narcissa lives; Philander is forgot.
Narcissa lives; Philander is forgotten.
O the soft commerce! O the tender ties,
O the gentle trade! O the sweet connections,
Close twisted with the fibres of the heart!
Close entwined with the fibers of the heart!
Which, broken, break them; and drain off the soul
Which, broken, break them; and drain off the soul
Of human joy; and make it pain to live—
Of human joy; and make it painful to live—
And is it then to live? When such friends part,
And is that what it means to live? When friends like that say goodbye,
’Tis the survivor dies—My heart! no more. 1068
’Tis the survivor dies—My heart! no more.1068
THE
INFIDEL RECLAIMED,
In Two Parts;
CONTAINING
THE NATURE, PROOF, AND IMPORTANCE
OF IMMORTALITY.
PART I.
WHERE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, GLORY AND RICHES ARE PARTICULARLY CONSIDERED.
WHERE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, GLORY AND WEALTH ARE SPECIFICALLY DISCUSSED.
TO THE
RIGHT HON. HENRY PELHAM,
FIRST LORD COMMISSIONER OF THE TREASURY, AND CHANCELLOR OF THE
EXCHEQUER.
TO THE
RIGHT HON. HENRY PELHAM,
First Lord Commissioner of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer.
PREFACE.
Few ages have been deeper in dispute about religion than this. The dispute about religion, and the practice of it, seldom go together. The shorter, therefore, the dispute, the better. I think it may be reduced to this single question, Is man immortal, or is he not? If he is not, all our disputes are mere amusements, or trials of skill. In this case, truth, reason, religion, which give our discourses such pomp and solemnity, are (as will be shown) mere empty sound, without any meaning in them. But if man is immortal, it will behove him to be very serious about eternal consequences; or, in other words, to be truly religious. And this great fundamental truth, unestablished, or unawakened in the minds of men, is, I conceive, the real source and support of all our infidelity; how remote soever the particular objections advanced may seem to be from it.
Few eras have been as deeply divided over religion as this one. The arguments about religion and its practice rarely match up. Therefore, the shorter the debate, the better. I believe it can be boiled down to this one question, Is man immortal, or is he not? If he is not, all our arguments are just entertainment or tests of skill. In this case, truth, reason, and religion, which give our discussions such weight and seriousness, are (as will be demonstrated) just empty noise, without any real meaning. But if man is immortal, then he should take eternal consequences very seriously; in other words, he should be genuinely religious. And this crucial truth, if it remains unestablished or unacknowledged in people's minds, I think is the true source and foundation of all our disbelief, no matter how unrelated the specific objections may seem.
Sensible appearances affect most men much more than abstract reasonings; and we daily see bodies drop around us, but the soul is invisible. The power which inclination has over the judgment, is greater than can be well conceived by those that have not had an experience of it; and of what numbers is it the sad interest that souls should not survive! The heathen world confessed, that they rather hoped, than firmly believed, immortality; and how many heathens have we still amongst us! The sacred page assures us, that life and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel: but by how many is the Gospel rejected or overlooked? From these considerations, and from my being accidentally privy to the sentiments of some particular persons, I have been long persuaded that most, if not all, our infidels (whatever name they take, and whatever scheme, for argument’s sake, and to keep themselves in countenance, they patronise), are supported in their deplorable error, by some doubt of their immortality, at the bottom. And I am satisfied, that men once thoroughly convinced of their immortality, are not far from being Christians. For it is hard to conceive, that a man fully conscious eternal pain or happiness will certainly be his lot, should not earnestly and impartially inquire after the surest means of escaping the one, and securing the other. And of such an earnest and impartial inquiry I well know the consequence.
Sensible appearances influence most people much more than abstract reasoning; we see bodies drop around us every day, but the soul remains invisible. The impact that desire has on judgment is greater than those who haven’t experienced it can truly understand; and it’s a sad reality that many believe souls do not survive! The ancient world acknowledged that they preferred to hope for immortality rather than have a firm belief in it; and how many non-believers do we still have among us today! The sacred text assures us that life and immortality are revealed through the Gospel: but how many people reject or ignore the Gospel? Based on these thoughts, and from my accidental knowledge of the feelings of certain individuals, I have long been convinced that most, if not all, of our skeptics (regardless of the labels they use, and whatever arguments they support to justify themselves) are held back in their unfortunate beliefs by a fundamental doubt about their immortality. I believe that once people are fully convinced of their immortality, they are not far from becoming Christians. It’s hard to imagine that someone who is fully aware that eternal pain or happiness will certainly be their fate would not earnestly and fairly seek the best ways to avoid the former and secure the latter. And I know very well what such earnest and unbiased inquiry leads to.
Here, therefore, in proof of this most fundamental truth, some plain arguments are offered; arguments derived from principles which infidels admit in common with believers; arguments which appear to me altogether irresistible; and such as, I am satisfied, will have great weight with all who give themselves the [158] small trouble of looking seriously into their own bosoms, and of observing, with any tolerable degree of attention, what daily passes round about them in the world. If some arguments shall here occur, which others have declined, they are submitted, with all deference, to better judgments in this, of all points the most important. For, as to the being of a God, that is no longer disputed; but it is undisputed for this reason only, viz., because, where the least pretence to reason is admitted, it must for ever be indisputable. And of consequence no man can be betrayed into a dispute of that nature by vanity; which has a principal share in animating our modern combatants against other articles of our belief.
Here, then, to support this essential truth, I present some straightforward arguments; arguments based on principles that both nonbelievers and believers accept; arguments that I find completely convincing and that I believe will resonate strongly with anyone who takes a moment to reflect on their own thoughts and pays attention to what happens around them every day. If some arguments arise here that others have avoided, I offer them humbly for consideration by those who judge, in this matter of all matters, as the most crucial. Because, concerning the existence of God, that is no longer up for debate; it’s a settled issue simply because, where any semblance of reason is recognized, it must always be accepted as true. Therefore, no one can be lured into a disagreement on this by pride, which largely fuels our modern disputes over other aspects of our faith.
NIGHT SIXTH.
NIGHT 6.
THE INFIDEL RECLAIMED.
PART I.
Not early, like Narcissa, left the scene;
Not early, like Narcissa, left the scene;
Nor sudden, like Philander. What avail?
Nor sudden, like Philander. What’s the point?
This seeming mitigation but inflames;
This apparent relief only worsens;
This fancied medicine heightens the disease.
This imagined cure makes the illness worse.
The longer known, the closer still she grew;
The longer she was known, the closer she became;
And gradual parting is a gradual death.
And slowly letting go is like living a slow death.
’Tis the grim tyrant’s engine, which extorts,
’Tis the cruel ruler’s machine, which forces,
By tardy pressure’s still-increasing weight,
By late pressure’s rising weight,
From hardest hearts, confession of distress. 10
From the toughest hearts, a confession of pain.10
Oh, the long, dark approach through years of pain,
Oh, the long, dark journey through years of pain,
Death’s gallery! (might I dare to call it so)
Death’s gallery! (can I really call it that?)
With dismal doubt, and sable terror, hung;
With gloomy uncertainty and dark fear, lingered;
Sick hope’s pale lamp its only glimmering ray:
Sick hope's pale lamp is its only shining light:
There, fate my melancholy walk ordain’d,
There, fate has decided my sad journey,
Forbid self-love itself to flatter, there.
Don't let self-love flatter you.
How oft I gazed, prophetically sad!
How often I stared, feeling a prophetic sadness!
How oft I saw her dead, while yet in smiles! 18
How often I saw her dead, while still smiling!18
In smiles she sunk her grief to lessen mine.
In her smiles, she buried her sadness to ease my own.
She spoke me comfort, and increased my pain.
She spoke to me with kindness, yet deepened my pain.
Like powerful armies trenching at a town,
Like strong armies laying siege to a town,
By slow, and silent, but resistless sap,
By slow, silent, but unstoppable energy,
In his pale progress gently gaining ground,
In his slow advancement, gradually making progress,
Death urged his deadly siege; in spite of art,
Death pushed his lethal attack; despite skill,
Of all the balmy blessings nature lends
Of all the pleasant gifts that nature provides
To succour frail humanity. Ye stars!
To help fragile humanity. You stars!
(Not now first made familiar to my sight)
(Not now first made familiar to my sight)
And thou, O moon! bear witness, many a night
And you, oh moon! bear witness, many nights
He tore the pillow from beneath my head,
He yanked the pillow out from under my head,
Tied down my sore attention to the shock, 30
Tied down my aching focus to the shock,30
By ceaseless depredations on a life
By repeatedly harming a life
Dearer than that he left me. Dreadful post
Dearer than that he left me. Dreadful post
Of observation! darker every hour!
Of observation! Darker with every hour!
Less dread the day that drove me to the brink,
Less fear the day that pushed me to the edge,
And pointed at eternity below;
And pointed at eternity below;
When my soul shudder’d at futurity;
When my soul shuddered at the future;
When, on a moment’s point, th’ important die
When, in an instant, the crucial die
Of life and death spun doubtful, ere it fell,
Of life and death spun uncertain, before it fell,
And turn’d up life; my title to more woe.
And turned up life; my claim to more sorrow.
But why more woe? More comfort let it be. 40
But why more sorrow? Let it be more comfort.40
Nothing is dead, but that which wish’d to die;
Nothing is dead except what wanted to die;
Nothing is dead, but wretchedness and pain;
Nothing is truly dead, except for misery and suffering;
Nothing is dead, but what encumber’d, gall’d,
Nothing is dead, but what weighs heavy, hurts,
Block’d up the pass, and barr’d from real life.
Blocked up the path, and cut off from real life.
Where dwells that wish most ardent of the wise?
Where does that deepest wish of the wise reside?
Too dark the sun to see it; highest stars
Too dark to see the sun; the highest stars
Too low to reach it; Death, great Death alone,
Too low to reach it; Death, great Death alone,
O’er stars and sun, triumphant, lands us there.
Over stars and sun, we triumphantly arrive there.
Nor dreadful our transition; though the mind,
Nor is our transition to be feared; although the mind,
An artist at creating self-alarms, 50
A pro at self-alarms, 50
Rich in expedients for inquietude,
Rich in solutions for unrest,
Is prone to paint it dreadful. Who can take 52
Is likely to describe it as terrible. Who can take52
Death’s portrait true? The tyrant never sat.
Death’s portrait, is it real? The tyrant never posed.
Our sketch all random strokes, conjecture all;
Our drawing is just random lines, all guesses;
Close shuts the grave, nor tells one single tale.
Close shuts the grave and doesn't share a single story.
Death, and his image rising in the brain,
Death, and his image coming to mind,
Bear faint resemblance; never are alike;
Bear a slight resemblance; they are never the same;
Fear shakes the pencil; Fancy loves excess;
Fear shakes the pencil; Imagination loves excess;
Dark Ignorance is lavish of her shades:
Dark Ignorance generously provides her shadows:
And these the formidable picture draw. 60
And these create a daunting image.60
But grant the worst; ’tis past; new prospects rise;
But let's accept the worst; it's done; new opportunities are emerging;
And drop a veil eternal o’er her tomb.
And cast an everlasting veil over her tomb.
Far other views our contemplation claim,
Far different views our thoughts demand,
Views that o’erpay the rigours of our life;
Views that make the hardships of our life worthwhile;
Views that suspend our agonies in death.
Views that take our pain away in death.
Wrapt in the thought of immortality,
Wrapt in the thought of living forever,
Wrapt in the single, the triumphant thought!
Wrapped in that single, victorious thought!
Long life might lapse, age unperceived come on;
Long life might slip away, and aging silently approach;
And find the soul unsated with her theme.
And discover the soul unfulfilled with her subject.
Its nature, proof, importance, fire my song. 70
Its essence, evidence, significance, ignite my song.70
O that my song could emulate my soul!
O that my song could reflect my soul!
Like her, immortal. No!—the soul disdains
Like her, eternal. No!—the soul scorns
A mark so mean; far nobler hope inflames;
A mark so low; a much greater hope inspires;
If endless ages can outweigh an hour,
If endless ages can be more significant than an hour,
Let not the laurel, but the palm, inspire.
Let the palm, not the laurel, be your inspiration.
Thy nature, Immortality! who knows?
Your nature, Immortality! Who knows?
And yet who knows it not? It is but life
And yet, who doesn’t know it? It’s just life.
In stronger thread of brighter colour spun,
In a stronger thread of brighter color spun,
And spun for ever; dipp’d by cruel Fate
And kept spinning forever, pushed down by cruel Fate.
In Stygian dye, how black, how brittle here! 80
In dark, murky dye, how black and fragile it is here!80
How short our correspondence with the sun!
How brief our communication with the sun!
And while it lasts, inglorious! Our best deeds,
And while it lasts, not glorious! Our best actions,
How wanting in their weight! our highest joys
How lacking in their significance! our greatest joys
Small cordials to support us in our pain,
Small drinks to help us through our pain,
And give us strength to suffer. But how great
And give us strength to endure. But how great
To mingle interests, converse, amities, 86
To mix interests, chat, friendships, 86
With all the sons of Reason, scatter’d wide
With all the sons of Reason, spread out far and wide
Through habitable space, wherever born,
Through livable space, wherever born,
Howe’er endow’d! to live free citizens
However endowed! to live as free citizens
Of universal nature! to lay hold
Of universal nature! to understand
By more than feeble faith on the Supreme!
By more than weak faith in the Supreme!
To call heaven’s rich unfathomable mines
To call heaven's vast, unimaginable treasures
(Mines, which support archangels in their state) 93
(Mines, which support archangels in their state)93
Our own! To rise in science, as in bliss,
Our own! To advance in science, just like in happiness,
Initiate in the secrets of the skies!
Dive into the secrets of the skies!
To read creation; read its mighty plan
To understand creation; comprehend its grand design
In the bare bosom of the Deity!
In the presence of the Divine!
The plan, and execution, to collate!
The plan and execution to compile!
To see, before each glance of piercing thought,
To see, before every sharp thought,
All cloud, all shadow, blown remote; and leave 100
All cloud, all shadow, blown far away; and leave100
No mystery—but that of Love Divine,
No mystery—but that of Divine Love,
Which lifts us on the seraph’s flaming wing,
Which carries us on the seraph’s fiery wing,
From earth’s Aceldama, this field of blood,
From earth’s Aceldama, this field of blood,
Of inward anguish, and of outward ill,
Of inner pain and of outer trouble,
From darkness, and from dust, to such a scene!
From darkness and dust to this amazing scene!
Love’s element! true joy’s illustrious home!
Love's essence! The shining home of true happiness!
From earth’s sad contrast (now deplored) more fair!
From the sad contrast of the earth (now regretted) to something more beautiful!
What exquisite vicissitude of fate!
What a beautiful twist of fate!
Bless’d absolution of our blackest hour!
Blessed relief from our darkest moment!
Lorenzo, these are thoughts that make man Man, 110
Lorenzo, these are the thoughts that define humanity,110
The wise illumine, aggrandize the great.
The wise enlighten and elevate the great.
How great (while yet we tread the kindred clod,
How great (while we still walk the shared earth,
And every moment fear to sink beneath
And every moment, fear sinking beneath
The clod we tread; soon trodden by our sons);
The ground we walk on; soon to be walked on by our children);
How great, in the wild whirl of Time’s pursuits,
How amazing, in the chaotic rush of time’s activities,
To stop, and pause, involved in high presage,
To stop and take a moment, caught up in great expectations,
Through the long vista of a thousand years,
Through the long view of a thousand years,
To stand contemplating our distant selves,
To stand and think about who we are from a distance,
As in a magnifying mirror seen,
As seen in a magnifying mirror,
Enlarged, ennobled, elevate, divine! 120
Enlarged, elevated, divine! 120
To prophesy our own futurities;
To predict our own futures;
To gaze in thought on what all thought transcends!
To reflect on what all thoughts go beyond!
To talk, with fellow-candidates, of joys
To chat with fellow candidates about the joys
As far beyond conception as desert,
As unbelievable as a desert,
Ourselves th’ astonish’d talkers, and the tale!
Ourselves the amazed talkers, and the story!
Lorenzo, swells thy bosom at the thought?
Lorenzo, does your heart swell at the thought?
The swell becomes thee: ’tis an honest pride.
The pride fits you well: it’s a genuine kind of pride.
Revere thyself;—and yet thyself despise.
Honor yourself;—and yet hate yourself.
His nature no man can o’er-rate; and none
His character is beyond what anyone can fully appreciate; and no one
Can under-rate his merit. Take good heed, 130
Can under-rate his merit. Take good heed,130
Nor there be modest, where thou should’st be proud;
Nor should you be modest where you should be proud;
That almost universal error shun.
Avoid that nearly universal mistake.
How just our pride, when we behold those heights!
How just our pride, when we look at those heights!
Not those Ambition paints in air, but those
Not the ambitions that are just dreams in the air, but those
Reason points out, and ardent Virtue gains,
Reason highlights, and passionate Virtue achieves,
And angels emulate; our pride how just!
And angels imitate; our pride is so justified!
When mount we? when these shackles cast? when quit
When do we climb? When will we break free from these chains? When will we let go?
This cell of the creation? this small nest,
This part of creation? This little nest,
Stuck in a corner of the universe,
Stuck in a corner of the universe,
Wrapt up in fleecy cloud, and fine-spun air? 140
Wrapt up in soft clouds and delicate air?140
Fine-spun to sense; but gross and feculent
Fine-tuned to perception; but thick and filthy
To souls celestial; souls ordain’d to breathe
To heavenly souls; souls destined to live
Ambrosial gales, and drink a purer sky;
Sweet breezes, and drink in a clearer sky;
Greatly triumphant on Time’s farther shore,
Greatly victorious on the distant shore of Time,
Where Virtue reigns, enrich’d with full arrears;
Where virtue prevails, filled with complete rewards;
While Pomp imperial begs an alms of peace.
While pomp and grandeur plead for a favor of peace.
In empire high, or in proud science deep,
In the high ranks of the empire, or in the depths of proud science,
Ye born of earth! on what can you confer,
Ye born of earth! on what can you confer,
With half the dignity, with half the gain,
With half the respect, with half the benefit,
The gust, the glow of rational delight, 150
The breeze, the spark of logical enjoyment,150
As on this theme, which angels praise and share?
As for this topic, which angels sing about and share?
Man’s fates and favours are a theme in heaven.
Man's destiny and blessings are a topic in heaven.
What wretched repetition cloys us here!
What a terrible repetition is wearing us down here!
What periodic potions for the sick! 154
What regular treatments for the ill!154
Distemper’d bodies! and distemper’d minds!
Disturbed bodies! and disturbed minds!
In an eternity, what scenes shall strike!
In forever, what scenes will unfold!
Adventures thicken! novelties surprise!
Adventures intensify! Surprises await!
What webs of wonder shall unravel, there!
What amazing things will unfold there!
What full day pour on all the paths of heaven,
What a complete day pours over all the paths of the sky,
And light th’ Almighty’s footsteps in the deep!
And illuminate the Almighty's footsteps in the depths!
How shall the blessed day of our discharge
How will the wonderful day of our release
Unwind, at once, the labyrinths of fate, 162
Unravel, at once, the twists and turns of destiny,162
And straighten its inextricable maze!
And straighten its complex maze!
If inextinguishable thirst in man
If unquenchable thirst in people
To know; how rich, how full, our banquet there!
To know how rich and full our feast is there!
There, not the moral world alone unfolds;
There, not just the moral world unfolds;
The world material, lately seen in shades,
The material world, recently observed in different shades,
And, in those shades, by fragments only seen,
And, in those shadows, only partially visible,
And seen those fragments by the labouring eye,
And seen those pieces by the working eye,
Unbroken, then, illustrious, and entire, 170
Unbroken, then, renowned, and whole, 170
Its ample sphere, its universal frame,
Its wide reach, its global design,
In full dimensions, swells to the survey;
In full dimensions, rises to the survey;
And enters, at one glance, the ravish’d sight.
And enters, at one glance, the captivated gaze.
From some superior point (where, who can tell?
From some higher place (where, who knows?
Suffice it, ’tis a point where gods reside)
Suffice it to say, it’s a place where gods live.
How shall the stranger man’s illumined eye,
How should the stranger man's bright eye,
In the vast ocean of unbounded space,
In the vast ocean of unlimited space,
Behold an infinite of floating worlds
Check out countless floating worlds
Divide the crystal waves of ether pure,
Divide the pure crystal waves of ether,
In endless voyage, without port? The least 180
In an endless journey, without a destination? The least180
Of these disseminated orbs, how great!
Of these scattered spheres, how magnificent!
Great as they are, what numbers these surpass,
Great as they are, what numbers these exceed,
Huge, as Leviathan, to that small race,
Huge, like a Leviathan, to that small race,
Those twinkling multitudes of little life,
Those sparkling masses of tiny life,
He swallows unperceived! Stupendous these!
He swallows unnoticed! Amazing these!
Yet what are these stupendous to the whole?
Yet what do these astonishing things mean in the grand scheme?
As particles, as atoms ill perceived;
As particles, as atoms poorly understood;
As circulating globules in our veins; 188
As flowing particles in our veins;188
So vast the plan. Fecundity divine!
So grand the plan. Divine abundance!
Exuberant Source! perhaps, I wrong thee still.
Exuberant Source! Maybe I’m still wrong about you.
If admiration is a source of joy,
If appreciation brings joy,
What transport hence! Yet this the least in heaven.
What a ride! Yet this is the least in heaven.
What this to that illustrious robe He wears,
What is this compared to that impressive robe he wears,
Who toss’d this mass of wonders from his hand,
Who threw this collection of wonders from his hand,
A specimen, an earnest of his power?
A sample, a sign of his strength?
’Tis to that glory, whence all glory flows,
It’s to that glory, from which all glory comes,
As the mead’s meanest floweret to the sun,
As the mead’s smallest flower to the sun,
Which gave it birth. But what, this sun of heaven?
Which gave it life. But what, this sun of heaven?
This bliss supreme of the supremely blest?
This ultimate happiness of the truly blessed?
Death, only death, the question can resolve. 200
Death, only death, can answer the question.200
By death, cheap bought th’ ideas of our joy;
By death, we cheaply acquire the ideas of our joy;
The bare ideas! solid happiness
The core concepts! true happiness
So distant from its shadow chased below.
So far from its shadow that’s being chased below.
And chase we still the phantom through the fire,
And we’re still chasing the ghost through the fire,
O’er bog, and brake, and precipice, till death?
Over bog, and thicket, and cliff, until death?
And toil we still for sublunary pay?
And do we still work for earthly rewards?
Defy the dangers of the field and flood,
Defy the dangers of the battlefield and flood,
Or, spider-like, spin out our precious all,
Or, like a spider, weave out all our precious things,
Our more than vitals spin (if no regard
Our more than vital spin (if no regard
To great futurity) in curious webs 210
To great future possibilities in intricate webs210
Of subtle thought, and exquisite design;
Of subtle thinking and elegant design;
(Fine network of the brain!) to catch a fly!
(Fine network of the brain!) to catch a fly!
The momentary buzz of vain renown!
The fleeting thrill of empty fame!
A name! a mortal immortality!
A name! a mortal's immortality!
Or (meaner still!) instead of grasping air,
Or (even worse!) instead of grabbing at nothing,
For sordid lucre plunge we in the mire?
For dirty money, do we really want to get our hands dirty?
Drudge, sweat, through every shame, for every gain,
Drudge, sweat, through every shame, for every gain,
For vile contaminating trash; throw up
For disgusting, toxic garbage; throw up
Our hope in heaven, our dignity with man?
Our hope in heaven, our dignity with people?
And deify the dirt, matured to gold? 220
And make the dirt sacred, transformed into gold?220
Ambition, Avarice; the two demons these,
Ambition and greed; these are the two demons,
Which goad through every slough our human herd, 222
Which drives our human crowd through every swamp,222
Hard-travell’d from the cradle to the grave.
Hard traveled from the cradle to the grave.
How low the wretches stoop! how steep they climb!
How low the unfortunate sink! how high they rise!
These demons burn mankind; but most possess
These demons torment humanity; but most have
Lorenzo’s bosom, and turn out the skies.
Lorenzo's heart, and turn away the heavens.
Is it in time to hide eternity?
Is it time to hide eternity?
And why not in an atom on the shore
And why not in an atom on the beach
To cover ocean? or a mote, the sun?
To cover the ocean? Or a speck, the sun?
Glory and wealth! have they this blinding power? 230
Glory and wealth! Do they really have this blinding power?230
What if to them I prove Lorenzo blind?
What if I show them that Lorenzo is blind?
Would it surprise thee? Be thou then surprised;
Would it surprise you? Then go ahead and be surprised;
Thou neither know’st: their nature learn from me.
You don't know; learn about their nature from me.
Mark well, as foreign as these subjects seem,
Mark well, even though these topics may seem foreign,
What close connexion ties them to my theme.
What a close connection ties them to my theme.
First, what is true ambition? The pursuit
First, what is true ambition? The pursuit
Of glory, nothing less than man can share.
Of glory, nothing less than a person can share.
Were they as vain, as gaudy-minded man,
Were they as vain and flashy as man?
As flatulent with fumes of self-applause,
As full of hot air with smells of self-praise,
Their arts and conquests animals might boast, 240
Their skills and achievements, animals might brag,240
And claim their laurel crowns, as well as we;
And win their laurel crowns, just like we do;
But not celestial. Here we stand alone;
But not heavenly. Here we stand alone;
As in our form, distinct, pre-eminent;
As in our shape, clear and outstanding;
If prone in thought, our stature is our shame;
If we dwell on our thoughts, our stature becomes our shame;
And man should blush, his forehead meets the skies.
And a man should feel embarrassed; his forehead touches the sky.
The visible and present are for brutes,
The things that can be seen and experienced are for animals,
A slender portion, and a narrow bound!
A slim part, and a tight limit!
These Reason, with an energy divine,
These reasons, with a divine energy,
O’erleaps; and claims the future and unseen;
O'erleaps; and claims the future and unseen;
The vast unseen! the future fathomless! 250
The vast unknown! The future we can't understand!250
When the great soul buoys up to this high point,
When the great spirit rises to this high point,
Leaving gross nature’s sediments below,
Leaving behind nature's sediments,
Then, and then only, Adam’s offspring quits
Then, and then only, Adam’s offspring quits
The sage and hero of the fields and woods,
The wise person and hero of the fields and forests,
Asserts his rank, and rises into man. 255
Asserts his position and becomes a man.255
This is ambition: this is human fire.
This is ambition: this is the drive of humanity.
Can Parts or Place (two bold pretenders!) make
Can Parts or Place (two bold pretenders!) make
Lorenzo great, and pluck him from the throng?
Lorenzo is great, so why not pull him out of the crowd?
Genius and Art, ambition’s boasted wings,
Genius and Art, the proud wings of ambition,
Our boast but ill deserve. A feeble aid!
Our pride isn't really justified. It's a weak support!
Dedalian enginery! If these alone
Dedalian engineering! If these alone
Assist our flight, Fame’s flight is Glory’s fall.
Assist our flight, Fame’s flight is Glory’s downfall.
Heart merit wanting, mount we ne’er so high, 263
Heart merit wanting, we never reach so high,263
Our height is but the gibbet of our name.
Our height is just a reflection of our reputation.
A celebrated wretch, when I behold,
A famous unfortunate person, when I see,
When I behold a genius bright, and base,
When I see a brilliant but shallow genius,
Of towering talents, and terrestrial aims;
Of great talents and earthly goals;
Methinks I see, as thrown from her high sphere,
Methinks I see, as thrown from her high sphere,
The glorious fragments of a soul immortal,
The glorious fragments of an immortal soul,
With rubbish mix’d, and glittering in the dust. 270
With trash mixed in, sparkling in the dirt.270
Struck at the splendid, melancholy sight,
Struck by the beautiful, sad sight,
At once compassion soft, and envy, rise—
At once compassion softens, and envy rises—
But wherefore envy? Talents angel-bright,
But why envy? Talents angel-bright,
If wanting worth, are shining instruments
If you want value, seek shining tools.
In false ambition’s hand, to finish faults
In the misguided pursuit of ambition, to correct mistakes
Illustrious, and give infamy renown.
Famous, and give infamy fame.
Great ill is an achievement of great powers.
Great evil is an accomplishment of great powers.
Plain sense but rarely leads us far astray.
Plain sense rarely leads us wrong.
Reason the means, affections choose our end;
Reason guides our actions, and our feelings determine our goals;
Means have no merit, if our end amiss. 280
Means have no value if our goal is wrong.280
If wrong our hearts, our heads are right in vain:
If our hearts are wrong, our heads are right for nothing:
What is a Pelham’s head, to Pelham’s heart?
What is a Pelham’s head to Pelham’s heart?
Hearts are proprietors of all applause.
Hearts deserve all the praise.
Right ends, and means, make wisdom: worldly-wise
Right ends and means create wisdom: worldly-wise
Is but half-witted, at its highest praise.
Is just half-brained, at best.
Let Genius then despair to make thee great;
Let Genius then give up on making you great;
Nor flatter Station: what is station high?
Nor flatter Station: what is station high?
’Tis a proud mendicant; it boasts, and begs;
It’s a proud beggar; it boasts and asks for donations;
It begs an alms of homage from the throng, 289
It asks for a tribute of respect from the crowd,289
And oft the throng denies its charity.
And often the crowd refuses its kindness.
Monarchs and ministers, are awful names;
Monarchs and ministers are terrible names;
Whoever wear them, challenge our devoir.
Whoever wears them challenges our duty.
Religion, public order, both exact
Religion and public order, both critical
External homage, and a supple knee,
External homage, and a bending knee,
To beings pompously set up, to serve
To beings set up in a self-important manner, to serve
The meanest slave: all more is merit’s due,
The meanest slave: all the more is merit's due,
Her sacred and inviolable right;
Her sacred and untouchable right;
Nor ever paid the monarch, but the man.
Nor ever paid the king, but the man.
Our hearts ne’er bow but to superior worth;
Our hearts never bow except to greater worth;
Nor ever fail of their allegiance there. 300
Nor ever fail in their loyalty there.300
Fools, indeed, drop the man in their account,
Fools, indeed, overlook the man in their calculations,
And vote the mantle into majesty.
And cast the cloak into greatness.
Let the small savage boast his silver fur;
Let the little wild one show off his silver fur;
His royal robe unborrow’d, and unbought,
His royal robe was neither borrowed nor bought,
His own, descending fairly from his sires.
His own, coming down directly from his ancestors.
Shall man be proud to wear his livery,
Shall a person be proud to wear their uniform,
And souls in ermine scorn a soul without?
And people in fancy clothing look down on someone without?
Can place or lessen us, or aggrandize?
Can place us, diminish us, or elevate us?
Pigmies are pigmies still, though perch’d on Alps;
Pigmies are still pigmies, even if they’re perched on the Alps;
And pyramids are pyramids in vales. 310
And pyramids are pyramids in valleys.310
Each man makes his own stature, builds himself:
Each person creates their own identity, shapes themselves:
Virtue alone outbuilds the pyramids:
Virtue alone builds the pyramids:
Her monuments shall last, when Egypt’s fall.
Her monuments will endure when Egypt falls.
Of these sure truths dost thou demand the cause?
Do you want to know the reason behind these certain truths?
The cause is lodged in immortality.
The reason is rooted in immortality.
Hear, and assent. Thy bosom burns for power;
Hear, and agree. Your heart longs for power;
What station charms thee? I’ll install thee there;
What station interests you? I’ll set you up there;
’Tis thine. And art thou greater than before?
It’s yours. And are you greater than before?
Then thou before wast something less than man.
Then you were something less than a man.
Has thy new post betray’d thee into pride? 320
Has your new position made you arrogant?320
That treacherous pride betrays thy dignity;
That dangerous pride betrays your dignity;
That pride defames humanity, and calls
That pride dishonors humanity, and calls
The being mean, which staffs or strings can raise. 323
The mean that can be raised by strings or staff.323
That pride, like hooded hawks, in darkness soars,
That pride, like hidden hawks, soars in the dark,
From blindness bold, and towering to the skies.
From brazen blindness, rising high into the sky.
’Tis born of ignorance, which knows not man:
It comes from ignorance, which doesn’t understand humans:
An angel’s second; nor his second, long.
An angel’s second; nor his second, long.
A Nero quitting his imperial throne,
A Nero leaving his imperial throne,
And courting glory from the tinkling string,
And chasing after glory from the jingling string,
But faintly shadows an immortal soul, 330
But faintly shadows an immortal soul,330
With empire’s self, to pride, or rapture, fired.
With the empire's own self, ignited by pride or ecstasy.
If nobler motives minister no cure,
If higher intentions provide no remedy,
Even vanity forbids thee to be vain.
Even vanity prevents you from being vain.
High worth is elevated place: ’tis more;
High worth is an elevated position: it's more;
It makes the post stand candidate for thee;
It makes the post stand out for you;
Makes more than monarchs, makes an honest man;
Makes more than kings, makes a good man;
Though no exchequer it commands, ’tis wealth;
Though it doesn't control a treasury, it's still wealth;
And though it wears no riband, ’tis renown;
And even though it doesn’t have a ribbon, it’s still famous;
Renown, that would not quit thee, though disgraced,
Renown, that wouldn't leave you alone, even when you were disgraced,
Nor leave thee pendent on a master’s smile. 340
Nor leave you hanging on a master’s smile.340
Other ambition Nature interdicts;
Other ambitions Nature prohibits;
Nature proclaims it most absurd in man,
Nature proclaims it most absurd in man,
By pointing at his origin, and end;
By highlighting his beginning and his end;
Milk, and a swathe, at first, his whole demand;
Milk, along with a piece of cloth, was all he asked for at first;
His whole domain, at last, a turf, or stone;
His entire territory, at last, either grass or stone;
To whom, between, a world may seem too small.
To whom, between, a world might feel too small.
Souls truly great dart forward on the wing
Souls that are truly great soar ahead on the wings.
Of just ambition, to the grand result,
Of pure ambition, to the great outcome,
The curtain’s fall; there, see the buskin’d chief
The curtain has dropped; look, there's the booted leader.
Unshod behind this momentary scene; 350
Unshoed behind this fleeting scene;
Reduced to his own stature, low or high,
Reduced to his own size, whether it's low or high,
As vice, or virtue, sinks him, or sublimes;
As vice or virtue brings him down or lifts him up;
And laugh at this fantastic mummery,
And laugh at this amazing performance,
This antic prelude of grotesque events,
This strange introduction of bizarre events,
Where dwarfs are often stilted, and betray
Where dwarfs are often stiff and betray
A littleness of soul by worlds o’errun,
A smallness of spirit overwhelmed by the world,
And nations laid in blood. Dread sacrifice 357
And nations were soaked in blood. Terrifying sacrifice357
To Christian pride! which had with horror shock’d
To Christian pride! which had with horror shocked
The darkest Pagans, offer’d to their gods.
The most sinister Pagans made offerings to their gods.
Again in arms? Again provoking fate?
Again taking up arms? Again tempting fate?
That prince, and that alone, is truly great,
That prince, and only that one, is truly great,
Who draws the sword reluctant, gladly sheathes; 363
Whoever draws the sword hesitantly, happily puts it away; 363
On empire builds what empire far outweighs,
On empire builds, what empire greatly surpasses,
And makes his throne a scaffold to the skies.
And makes his throne a platform that reaches the sky.
Why this so rare? Because forgot of all
Why is this so rare? Because everyone forgot about it.
The day of death; that venerable day,
The day of death; that respected day,
Which sits as judge; that day, which shall pronounce
Which serves as the judge; that day, which will announce
On all our days, absolve them, or condemn.
On all our days, forgive them or judge them.
Lorenzo, never shut thy thought against it; 370
Lorenzo, never dismiss your thoughts about it;
Be levees ne’er so full, afford it room,
Be levees never so full, give it space,
And give it audience in the cabinet.
And present it to the cabinet.
That friend consulted, flatteries apart,
That friend advised, aside from flattery,
Will tell thee fair, if thou art great, or mean.
Will tell you plainly, if you are great or insignificant.
To doat on aught may leave us, or be left,
To obsess over anything may leave us, or be left,
Is that ambition? Then let flames descend,
Is that ambition? Then let the flames fall,
Point to the centre their inverted spires,
Point to the center their upside-down spires,
And learn humiliation from a soul,
And learn humiliation from a person,
Which boasts her lineage from celestial fire.
Which boasts her lineage from celestial fire.
Yet these are they, the world pronounces wise; 380
Yet these are the ones that the world calls wise;380
The world, which cancels nature’s right and wrong,
The world, which ignores nature’s sense of right and wrong,
And casts new wisdom: even the grave man lends
And shares new insight: even a serious person contributes
His solemn face, to countenance the coin.
His serious expression, to look at the coin.
Wisdom for parts is madness for the whole.
Wisdom in parts can be madness when taken as a whole.
This stamps the paradox, and gives us leave
This highlights the contradiction and allows us
To call the wisest weak, the richest poor,
To say the wisest are weak, the richest are poor,
The most ambitious, unambitious, mean;
The most ambitious, unambitious, cruel;
In triumph, mean; and abject, on a throne.
In victory, cruel; and miserable, on a throne.
Nothing can make it less than mad in man,
Nothing can make it any less than crazy in a person,
To put forth all his ardour, all his art, 390
To express all his passion, all his skill,390
And give his soul her full unbounded flight,
And let his soul soar freely and without limits,
But reaching Him, who gave her wings to fly.
But reaching Him, who gave her the freedom to soar.
When blind Ambition quite mistakes her road,
When blind ambition completely misjudges its path,
And downwards pores, for that which shines above,
And downward flows, for what shines above,
Substantial happiness, and true renown;
Great happiness and real fame;
Then, like an idiot, gazing on the brook,
Then, like a fool, staring at the stream,
We leap at stars, and fasten in the mud;
We reach for the stars, but get stuck in the mud;
At glory grasp, and sink in infamy.
At the height of glory, only to fall into disgrace.
Ambition! powerful source of good and ill!
Ambition! A powerful source of both good and bad!
Thy strength in man, like length of wing in birds, 400
Thy strength in man is like the length of wings in birds,400
When disengaged from earth, with greater ease,
When disconnected from the earth, more easily,
And swifter flight, transports us to the skies;
And faster flight takes us up to the skies;
By toys entangled, or in guilt bemired,
By toys tangled up, or caught in guilt,
It turns a curse; it is our chain, and scourge,
It becomes a curse; it's our burden and torment,
In this dark dungeon, where confined we lie,
In this dark dungeon, where we are trapped,
Close grated by the sordid bars of Sense;
Close grated by the harsh confines of Sense;
All prospect of eternity shut out;
All hope of eternity cut off;
And, but for execution, ne’er set free.
And, except for execution, never set free.
With error in ambition justly charged,
With ambition fairly criticized,
Find we Lorenzo wiser in his wealth? 410
Find we Lorenzo wiser in his wealth?410
What if thy rental I reform? and draw
What if I change your rent? and draw
An inventory new, to set thee right?
An updated inventory to get you on track?
Where thy true treasure? Gold says, “Not in me:”
Where is your true treasure? Gold says, “Not in me:”
And, “Not in me,” the diamond. Gold is poor;
And, “Not in me,” the diamond. Gold is worthless;
India’s insolvent: seek it in thyself,
India’s bankrupt: look for it within yourself,
Seek in thy naked self, and find it there;
Seek within yourself, and you'll find it there;
In being, so descended, form’d, endow’d;
In being, so descended, formed, endowed;
Sky-born, sky-guided, sky-returning race!
Sky-born, sky-guided, sky-returning tribe!
Erect, immortal, rational, divine!
Eternal, wise, rational, godlike!
In senses, which inherit earth, and heavens; 420
In our senses, which inherit the earth and the heavens; 420
Enjoy the various riches Nature yields;
Enjoy the many treasures that Nature provides;
Far nobler! give the riches they enjoy;
Far nobler! give the riches they enjoy;
Give taste to fruits; and harmony to groves;
Give flavor to fruits; and harmony to groves;
Their radiant beams to gold, and gold’s bright fire; 424
Their shining rays turn into gold, and gold’s bright flame; 424
Take in, at once, the landscape of the world,
Take in the landscape of the world all at once,
At a small inlet, which a grain might close,
At a small inlet that a grain could close,
And half create the wondrous world they see.
And partially create the amazing world they see.
Our senses, as our reason, are divine.
Our senses, just like our reasoning, are divine.
But for the magic organ’s powerful charm,
But for the magic organ’s powerful charm,
Earth were a rude, uncolour’d chaos still.
Earth was a rough, colorless chaos still.
Objects are but th’ occasion; ours th’ exploit;
Objects are just the opportunity; we are the ones taking action;
Ours is the cloth,[30] the pencil, and the paint, 432
Ours is the fabric,[30] the pencil, and the paint,432
Which nature’s admirable picture draws;
Which nature's amazing picture draws;
And beautifies creation’s ample dome.
And beautifies creation's vast sky.
Like Milton’s Eve, when gazing on the lake,
Like Milton's Eve, as she looks at the lake,
Man makes the matchless image man admires.
Man creates the unmatched image that man admires.
Say then, shall man, his thoughts all sent abroad,
Say then, will a man, with all his thoughts scattered everywhere,
Superior wonders in himself forgot,
Superior wonders in himself lost,
His admiration waste on objects round,
His admiration wasted on objects around,
When Heaven makes him the soul of all he sees? 440
When does Heaven make him the essence of everything he observes?440
Absurd! not rare! so great, so mean, is man.
Absurd! Not uncommon! Man is both incredibly great and miserably low.
What wealth in senses such as these! What wealth
What richness in senses like these! What richness
In Fancy, fired to form a fairer scene
In Fancy, inspired to create a nicer view
Than Sense surveys! In memory’s firm record,
Than Sense surveys! In memory's strong record,
Which, should it perish, could this world recall
Which, if it were to perish, could this world remember
From the dark shadows of o’erwhelming years!
From the dark shadows of overwhelming years!
In colours fresh, originally bright,
In fresh, vibrant colors,
Preserve its portrait, and report its fate!
Preserve its image, and share what happens to it!
What wealth in Intellect, that sovereign power!
What wealth in intellect, that ultimate power!
Which Sense and Fancy summons to the bar; 450
Which Sense and Fancy call to the bar;450
Interrogates, approves, or reprehends;
Asks questions, approves, or criticizes;
And from the mass those underlings import,
And from the crowd those subordinates bring in,
From their materials sifted, and refined,
From their materials filtered and polished,
And in Truth’s balance accurately weigh’d,
And in Truth's balance carefully measured,
Forms art, and science, government, and law;
Forms art, science, government, and law;
The solid basis, and the beauteous frame, 456
The strong foundation and the beautiful structure,456
The vitals, and the grace of civil life!
The essentials, and the elegance of everyday life!
And manners (sad exception!) set aside,
And manners (a disappointing exception!) pushed aside,
Strikes out, with master hand, a copy fair
Strikes out, with skillful hands, a perfect copy
Of His idea, whose indulgent thought
Of His idea, whose kind thoughts
Long, long, ere chaos teem’d, plann’d human bliss.
Long, long before chaos reigned, human happiness was planned.
What wealth in souls that soar, dive, range around,
What wealth in souls that soar, dive, range around,
Disdaining limit, or from place, or time; 463
Disregarding limits, whether it's by place or time;463
And hear at once, in thought extensive, hear
And listen right away, with a broad mind, listen
Th’ Almighty fiat, and the trumpet’s sound!
The Almighty command and the sound of the trumpet!
Bold, on creation’s outside walk, and view
Bold, on the outside path of creation, and see
What was, and is, and more than e’er shall be;
What was, is, and will ever be;
Commanding, with omnipotence of thought,
Commanding, with limitless power of thought,
Creations new in fancy’s field to rise!
New creations are rising in the realm of imagination!
Souls, that can grasp whate’er th’ Almighty made, 470
Souls that can understand everything the Almighty created,470
And wander wild through things impossible!
And roam freely through impossible things!
What wealth, in faculties of endless growth,
What riches, in abilities of limitless development,
In quenchless passions violent to crave,
In unquenchable passions, fiercely intense to desire,
In liberty to choose, in power to reach,
In the freedom to choose, in the ability to achieve,
And in duration (how thy riches rise!)
And over time (look at how your wealth grows!)
Duration to perpetuate—boundless bliss!
Time to last—endless joy!
Ask you, what power resides in feeble man
Ask yourself, what power lies within weak humans?
That bliss to gain? Is Virtue’s, then, unknown?
That happiness to achieve? Is Virtue's, then, not recognized?
Virtue, our present peace, our future prize.
Virtue, our current peace, our future reward.
Man’s unprecarious, natural estate, 480
Man’s secure, natural state, 480
Improveable at will, in virtue lies;
Improveable at will; in virtue, there is strength.
Its tenure sure; its income is divine.
Its position is secure; its income is amazing.
High-built abundance, heap on heap! for what?
High-built abundance, stacked on top of each other! For what reason?
To breed new wants, and beggar us the more;
To create new desires and make us even poorer;
Then make a richer scramble for the throng?
Then put together a better mix for the crowd?
Soon as this feeble pulse, which leaps so long
Soon as this weak pulse, which beats for so long
Almost by miracle, is tired with play,
Almost by miracle, is tired from playing,
Like rubbish from disploding engines thrown,
Like trash thrown from exploding engines,
Our magazines of hoarded trifles fly;
Our magazines of collected trinkets are gone;
Fly diverse; fly to foreigners, to foes; 490
Fly differently; fly to strangers, to enemies;490
New masters court, and call the former fools
New masters seek attention and label the old ones as fools.
(How justly!), for dependence on their stay.
(How justly!), for dependence on their stay.
Wide scatter, first, our playthings; then, our dust.
Wide scatter, first, our toys; then, our dust.
Dost court abundance for the sake of peace?
Do you seek wealth for the sake of peace?
Learn, and lament thy self-defeated scheme:
Learn, and regret your self-defeated plan:
Riches enable to be richer still;
Riches allow for becoming even richer.
And, richer still, what mortal can resist?
And, even richer, what person can resist?
Thus wealth (a cruel taskmaster!) enjoins
Thus wealth (a harsh taskmaster!) demands
New toils, succeeding toils, an endless train!
New challenges, ongoing challenges, an endless journey!
And murders peace, which taught it first to shine. 500
And disrupts the peace that first taught it to shine.500
The poor are half as wretched as the rich;
The poor are just as miserable as the rich.
Whose proud and painful privilege it is
Whose proud and painful privilege it is
At once, to bear a double load of woe;
At the same time, to carry a double burden of sorrow;
To feel the stings of envy, and of want,
To experience the pangs of envy and desire,
Outrageous want! both Indies cannot cure.
Outrageous need! Neither of the Indies can fix it.
A competence is vital to content.
A skill is essential for content.
Much wealth is corpulence, if not disease;
Much wealth is excess, if not sickness;
Sick, or encumber’d, is our happiness,
Sick or burdened, is our happiness,
A competence is all we can enjoy.
A skill is all we can enjoy.
Oh, be content, where Heaven can give no more! 510
Oh, be satisfied, since Heaven can't offer anything more!510
More, like a flash of water from a lock,
More, like a splash of water from a lock,
Quickens our spirits’ movement for an hour;
Quickens our spirits' movement for an hour;
But soon its force is spent, nor rise our joys
But soon its energy fades, and our happiness doesn't rise.
Above our native temper’s common stream.
Above our native temper's usual flow.
Hence disappointment lurks in every prize,
Hence disappointment lurks in every prize,
As bees in flowers; and stings us with success.
As bees gather nectar from flowers, they also bring us the sweet reward of success.
The rich man, who denies it, proudly feigns;
The wealthy man, who denies it, pretends with pride;
Nor knows the wise are privy to the lie.
Nor do the wise know they are aware of the lie.
Much learning shows how little mortals know;
Much learning reveals how little we really know;
Much wealth, how little worldlings can enjoy: 520
Much wealth, how little pleasure people can get from it: 520
At best, it babies us with endless toys,
At best, it spoils us with endless toys,
And keeps us children till we drop to dust.
And keeps us kids until we turn to dust.
As monkeys at a mirror stand amazed,
As monkeys stare at their reflection in a mirror, they stand in awe,
They fail to find what they so plainly see; 524
They can't find what is so obvious to them;524
Thus men, in shining riches, see the face
Thus men, in shining riches, see the face
Of happiness, nor know it is a shade;
Of happiness, nor know it’s just a shadow;
But gaze, and touch, and peep, and peep again,
But look, and feel, and sneak a peek, and peek again,
And wish, and wonder it is absent still.
And hope, and wonder why it’s still missing.
How few can rescue opulence from want!
How few can save wealth from poverty!
Who lives to Nature, rarely can be poor;
Who lives close to Nature rarely has to deal with poverty;
Who lives to Fancy, never can be rich.
Whoever lives for dreams can never be wealthy.
Poor is the man in debt; the man of gold, 532
Poor is the man in debt; the man with wealth,532
In debt to Fortune, trembles at her power.
In debt to luck, shakes in fear of her power.
The man of reason smiles at her, and Death.
The rational man smiles at her and at Death.
Oh! what a patrimony this! a being
Oh! what a legacy this! a being
Of such inherent strength and majesty,
Of such natural strength and majesty,
Not worlds possess’d can raise it; worlds destroy’d
Not even the worlds we own can elevate it; only the worlds that are lost.
Can’t injure; which holds on its glorious course,
Can’t hurt; it keeps moving forward on its impressive journey,
When thine, O Nature! ends; too blest to mourn
When yours, O Nature! ends; too blessed to grieve
Creation’s obsequies. What treasure, this! 540
Creation's farewell. What a treasure! 540
The monarch is a beggar to the man.
The king is at the mercy of the man.
Immortal! Ages past, yet nothing gone!
Immortal! Ages have passed, yet nothing is lost!
Morn without eve! a race without a goal!
Morn without night! a journey without a destination!
Unshorten’d by progression infinite!
Unshortened by endless progress!
Futurity for ever future! Life
Future forever! Life
Beginning still where computation ends!
Starting where computation stops!
’Tis the description of a deity!
It’s the description of a god!
’Tis the description of the meanest slave:
It’s the description of the lowest slave:
The meanest slave dares then Lorenzo scorn?
The meanest slave dares to scorn Lorenzo then?
The meanest slave thy sovereign glory shares. 550
The most insignificant slave shares in your royal glory.550
Proud youth! fastidious of the lower world!
Proud youth! picky about the ordinary world!
Man’s lawful pride includes humility;
A man’s rightful pride includes humility;
Stoops to the lowest; is too great to find
Stoops to the lowest; is too great to discover
Inferiors; all immortal! brothers all!
Inferiors; all immortal! Brothers all!
Proprietors eternal of thy love.
Owners of your love forever.
Immortal! What can strike the sense so strong,
Immortal! What can hit the senses so hard,
As this the soul? It thunders to the thought;
As this the soul? It shakes with the thought;
Reason amazes; gratitude o’erwhelms; 558
Reason amazes; gratitude overwhelms;
No more we slumber on the brink of fate;
No longer do we sleep on the edge of destiny;
Roused at the sound, th’ exulting soul ascends,
Roused by the sound, the joyful soul rises,
And breathes her native air; an air that feeds
And breathes her natural air; an air that nourishes
Ambitions high, and fans ethereal fires;
Ambitions high, and fans like otherworldly flames;
Quick kindles all that is divine within us;
Quick ignites everything divine within us;
Nor leaves one loitering thought beneath the stars.
Nor does it leave one lingering thought under the stars.
Has not Lorenzo’s bosom caught the flame?
Hasn't Lorenzo's heart ignited?
Immortal! Were but one immortal, how
Immortal! If only one could be immortal, how
Would others envy! how would thrones adore!
Would others be jealous! How would thrones admire!
Because ’tis common, is the blessing lost?
Because it's common, does the blessing get lost?
How this ties up the bounteous hand of Heaven! 569
How this restricts the generous hand of Heaven!569
Oh, vain, vain, vain, all else! Eternity!
Oh, pointless, pointless, pointless, everything else! Forever!
A glorious and a needful refuge, that,
A glorious and necessary refuge, that,
From vile imprisonment, in abject views.
From terrible imprisonment, in miserable surroundings.
’Tis immortality, ’tis that alone,
It’s immortality, it’s that alone,
Amid life’s pains, abasements, emptiness,
Amid life's struggles, humiliations, emptiness,
The soul can comfort, elevate, and fill.
The soul can soothe, uplift, and fulfill.
That only, and that amply, this performs;
That’s all it does, and it does it very well;
Lifts us above life’s pains, her joys above;
Lifts us above life's pain, her joy above;
Their terror those, and these their lustre lose;
Their fear fades, and their shine disappears;
Eternity depending covers all;
Eternity depends on everything;
Eternity depending all achieves; 580
Eternity depending on all achievements;
Sets earth at distance; casts her into shades;
Sets the earth far away; throws her into shadows;
Blends her distinctions; abrogates her powers;
Blends her differences; cancels her abilities;
The low, the lofty, joyous, and severe,
The low, the high, happy, and serious,
Fortune’s dread frowns, and fascinating smiles,
Fortune's fearsome scowls and captivating smiles,
Make one promiscuous and neglected heap,
Make one messy and overlooked pile,
The man beneath; if I may call him man,
The guy below; if I can still call him a guy,
Whom immortality’s full force inspires.
Whom immortality truly inspires.
Nothing terrestrial touches his high thought;
Nothing on earth influences his elevated thinking;
Suns shine unseen, and thunders roll unheard,
Suns shine without being seen, and thunder rumbles without being heard,
By minds quite conscious of their high descent, 590
By minds fully aware of their noble lineage,590
Their present province, and their future prize;
Their current territory and their future reward;
Divinely darting upward every wish, 592
Divinely shooting upward every wish, 592
Warm on the wing, in glorious absence lost!
Warm on the wing, blissfully lost in the moment!
Doubt you this truth? Why labours your belief?
Do you doubt this truth? Why does your belief struggle?
If earth’s whole orb by some due distanced eye
If the entire Earth could be seen by a distant observer
Were seen at once, her towering Alps would sink,
Were seen at once, her towering Alps would sink,
And levell’d Atlas leave an even sphere.
And level Atlas leaves a smooth sphere.
Thus earth, and all that earthly minds admire,
Thus earth, and everything that people on earth admire,
Is swallow’d in eternity’s vast round.
Is swallowed in the vastness of eternity.
To that stupendous view, when souls awake, 600
To that amazing view, when souls awaken,600
So large of late, so mountainous to man,
So large lately, so overwhelming to humans,
Time’s toys subside; and equal all below.
Time's playthings fade away; and everything becomes equal below.
Enthusiastic, this? Then all are weak,
Enthusiastic about this? Then everyone is weak,
But rank enthusiasts. To this godlike height
But rank enthusiasts. To this godlike height
Some souls have soar’d; or martyrs ne’er had bled,
Some souls have soared; or martyrs would never have bled,
And all may do, what has by man been done.
And everyone can do what has already been done by people.
Who, beaten by these sublunary storms,
Who, beaten by these earthly storms,
Boundless, interminable joys can weigh,
Endless joys can be heavy,
Unraptured, unexalted, uninflamed?
Not thrilled, not elevated, not excited?
What slave unblest, who from to-morrow’s dawn 610
What unfortunate slave, who from tomorrow's dawn
Expects an empire? He forgets his chain,
Expects an empire? He forgets his chains,
And, throned in thought, his absent sceptre waves.
And, lost in thought, his absent scepter moves.
And what a sceptre waits us! what a throne!
And what a scepter awaits us! What a throne!
Her own immense appointments to compute,
Her own huge tasks to figure out,
Or comprehend her high prerogatives,
Or understand her high privileges,
In this her dark minority, how toils,
In this dark period of her life, how she struggles,
How vainly pants, the human soul divine!
How vainly longs the divine human soul!
Too great the bounty seems for earthly joy;
Too great the reward seems for earthly happiness;
What heart but trembles at so strange a bliss?
What heart doesn’t tremble at such a strange happiness?
In spite of all the truths the Muse has sung, 620
In spite of all the truths the Muse has sung,620
Ne’er to be prized enough! enough revolved!
Never to be valued enough! Enough thought about!
Are there who wrap the world so close about them,
Are there those who wrap the world so closely around them,
They see no farther than the clouds; and dance
They can’t see beyond the clouds; and dance
On heedless vanity’s fantastic toe,
On foolish vanity's wild toe,
Till, stumbling at a straw, in their career,
Till, stumbling over a straw, in their journey,
Headlong they plunge, where end both dance and song?
Headfirst they dive, where do both dance and song end?
Are there, Lorenzo? is it possible? 627
Are there, Lorenzo? Is it possible?627
Are there on earth (let me not call them men)
Are there on Earth (let me not refer to them as men)
Who lodge a soul immortal in their breasts;
Who harbor an immortal soul in their hearts;
Unconscious as the mountain of its ore;
Unaware like the mountain full of its minerals;
Or rock of its inestimable gem?
Or rock of its priceless gem?
When rocks shall melt, and mountains vanish, these
When rocks melt and mountains disappear, these
Shall know their treasure; treasure, then, no more. 633
Shall know their treasure; treasure, then, no more.633
Are there (still more amazing!) who resist
Are there still more amazing people who resist?
The rising thought? who smother, in its birth,
The rising thought? who stifles it before it can grow,
The glorious truth? who struggle to be brutes?
The glorious truth? Who fights to be beasts?
Who through this bosom-barrier burst their way,
Who broke through this barrier in my heart,
And, with reversed ambition, strive to sink?
And, with twisted ambition, aim to fall?
Who labour downwards through th’ opposing powers
Who struggle downwards against the opposing forces
Of instinct, reason, and the world against them, 640
Of instinct, reason, and the world against them,640
To dismal hopes, and shelter in the shock
To bleak hopes, and find refuge in the shock
Of endless night; night darker than the grave’s?
Of endless night; a night darker than the grave?
Who fight the proofs of immortality?
Who fights the evidence of immortality?
With horrid zeal, and execrable arts,
With terrible enthusiasm and awful tricks,
Work all their engines, level their black fires,
Work all their engines, level their dark fires,
To blot from man this attribute divine
To wipe away this divine trait from humanity
(Than vital blood far dearer to the wise),
(Than vital blood far dearer to the wise),
Blasphemers, and rank atheists to themselves?
Blasphemers, and outright atheists to themselves?
To contradict them, see all nature rise!
To challenge them, watch all of nature rise!
What object, what event, the moon beneath, 650
What object, what event, the moon beneath,650
But argues, or endears, an after-scene?
But does it make a case, or bring people closer, in the end?
To reason proves, or weds it to desire?
To reason proves, or ties it to desire?
All things proclaim it needful; some advance
All things show that it's necessary; some suggest
One precious step beyond, and prove it sure.
One valuable step further, and confirm it for certain.
A thousand arguments swarm round my pen,
A thousand arguments crowd around my pen,
From heaven, and earth, and man. Indulge a few,
From heaven, earth, and humanity. Allow a few,
By Nature, as her common habit, worn;
By nature, as is her usual habit, worn;
So pressing Providence a truth to teach,
So pushing destiny to reveal a truth,
Which truth untaught, all other truths were vain.
Which truth unspoken, made all other truths meaningless.
Thou! whose all-providential eye surveys, 660
You! whose all-seeing eye surveys,
Whose hand directs, whose Spirit fills and warms
Whose hand guides, whose Spirit energizes and comforts
Creation, and holds empire far beyond!
Creation, and has an empire that extends far beyond!
Eternity’s inhabitant august!
Eternal resident, impressive!
Of two eternities amazing Lord!
Of two incredible eternities, Lord!
One past, ere man’s, or angel’s, had begun
One past, before mankind or angels had begun
Aid! while I rescue from the foe’s assault
Aid! while I save from the enemy’s attack
Thy glorious immortality in man:
Your glorious immortality in man:
A theme for ever, and for all, of weight,
A theme for everyone, and for all time, of significance,
Of moment infinite! but relish’d most
Of infinite importance! But enjoyed the most
By those who love Thee most, who most adore. 670
By those who love You the most, who adore You the most.670
Nature, thy daughter, ever-changing birth
Nature, your daughter, ever-changing birth
Of Thee the Great Immutable, to man
Of Thee the Great Immutable, to man
Speaks wisdom, is his oracle supreme;
Speaks wisdom, is his ultimate oracle;
And he who most consults her, is most wise.
And the one who seeks her advice the most is the wisest.
Lorenzo, to this heavenly Delphos haste;
Lorenzo, hurry to this heavenly Delphos;
And come back all-immortal, all-divine:
And return as all-immortal, all-divine:
Look nature through, ’tis revolution all;
Look at nature closely; it's all about change.
All change; no death. Day follows night; and night
All change; no death. Day follows night; and night
The dying day; stars rise, and set, and rise;
The dying day; stars appear, disappear, and reappear;
Earth takes th’ example. See, the summer gay, 680
Earth takes the example. Look, the cheerful summer, 680
With her green chaplet, and ambrosial flowers,
With her green wreath and fragrant flowers,
Droops into pallid autumn: winter grey,
Droops into pale autumn: winter gray,
Horrid with frost, and turbulent with storm,
Horrid with frost, and turbulent with storm,
Blows autumn, and his golden fruits, away:
Blows autumn, and his golden fruits, away:
Then melts into the spring: soft spring, with breath
Then melts into the spring: gentle spring, with breath
Favonian, from warm chambers of the south,
Favonian, from the warm rooms of the south,
Recalls the first. All, to re-flourish, fades;
Recalls the first. Everything, to thrive again, fades;
As in a wheel, all sinks, to re-ascend.
As in a wheel, everything goes down, only to rise again.
Emblems of man, who passes, not expires.
Emblems of man, who moves on, not ends.
With this minute distinction, emblems just, 690
With this small distinction, just emblems, 690
Nature revolves, but man advances; both
Nature moves in circles, but people progress; both
Eternal, that a circle, this a line.
Eternal, that's a circle, this is a line.
That gravitates, this soars. Th’ aspiring soul,
That pulls you in, this takes off. The aspiring soul,
Ardent, and tremulous, like flame, ascends, 694
Ardent and trembling, like a flame, rises, 694
Zeal and humility her wings, to heaven.
Zeal and humility her wings, to heaven.
The world of matter, with its various forms,
The world of matter, with its various forms,
All dies into new life. Life born from death
All transforms into new life. Life emerging from death.
Rolls the vast mass, and shall for ever roll.
Rolls the huge mass, and will keep rolling forever.
No single atom, once in being, lost,
No single atom, once it exists, is lost,
With change of counsel charges the Most High.
With changes in legal representation, it affects the Most High.
What hence infers Lorenzo? Can it be?
What does Lorenzo infer from this? Could it be?
Matter immortal? And shall Spirit die? 702
Matter immortal? And will Spirit die?702
Above the nobler, shall less noble rise?
Above the nobler, shall less noble rise?
Shall Man alone, for whom all else revives,
Shall man alone, the one for whom everything else comes to life,
No resurrection know? Shall Man alone,
No resurrection, you know? Can Man stand alone,
Imperial Man! be sown in barren ground,
Imperial Man! be planted in unproductive soil,
Less privileged than grain, on which he feeds?
Less privileged than grain, which he eats?
Is Man, in whom alone is power to prize
Is Man, who alone has the ability to value
The bliss of being, or with previous pain
The joy of existence, or with past pain
Deplore its period, by the spleen of fate, 710
Deplore its time, by the bitterness of fate,710
Severely doom’d Death’s single unredeem’d?
Severely doomed to Death's single unredeemable?
If Nature’s revolution speaks aloud,
If nature's revolution speaks up,
In her gradation, hear her louder still.
In her graduation, hear her even louder.
Look nature through, ’tis neat gradation all.
Look through nature; it's all a neat progression.
By what minute degrees her scale ascends!
By what tiny increments her scale rises!
Each middle nature join’d at each extreme,
Each middle nature connected at both ends,
To that above it join’d, to that beneath.
To what was above it, it was connected, and to what was below it.
Parts, into parts reciprocally shot,
Parts shot in reciprocating motion,
Abhor divorce: what love of union reigns!
Abhor divorce: how strong is the love of togetherness!
Here, dormant matter waits a call to life; 720
Here, inactive matter is waiting for a call to life; 720
Half life, half death, join there; here, life and sense;
Half life, half death, come together; here, life and understanding;
There, sense from reason steals a glimmering ray;
There, understanding takes a shining insight;
Reason shines out in man. But how preserved
Reason shines through in humans. But how is it preserved?
The chain unbroken upward, to the realms
The chain continues unbroken upward, to the realms
Of incorporeal life? those realms of bliss,
Of incorporeal life? Those realms of bliss,
Where Death hath no dominion? Grant a make
Where Death has no power? Let’s create
Half mortal, half immortal; earthy, part,
Half mortal, half immortal; earthly, part,
And part ethereal; grant the soul of man 728
And partly spiritual; give the soul of humanity
Eternal; or in man the series ends.
Eternal; or for man, the series ends.
Wide yawns the gap; connexion is no more;
Wide yawns the gap; connection is no more;
Check’d Reason halts; her next step wants support;
Check'd reason pauses; her next move needs backing;
Striving to climb, she tumbles from her scheme;
Striving to climb, she falls from her plan;
A scheme, analogy pronounced so true;
A plan, an analogy clearly stated;
Analogy, man’s surest guide below. 734
Analogy, man's best guide here. 734
Thus far, all nature calls on thy belief.
So far, all of nature urges you to believe.
And will Lorenzo, careless of the call,
And will Lorenzo, ignoring the call,
False attestation on all nature charge,
False attestation on all nature charge,
Rather than violate his league with Death?
Rather than break his bond with Death?
Renounce his reason, rather than renounce
Renounce his reason instead of renouncing
The dust beloved, and run the risk of heaven? 740
The dust we cherish, and take the chance with heaven?740
Oh, what indignity to deathless souls!
Oh, what a disgrace to immortal souls!
What treason to the majesty of man!
What a betrayal to the greatness of humanity!
Of man immortal! Hear the lofty style:
Of immortal man! Listen to the grand tone:
“If so decreed, th’ Almighty Will be done.
“If that’s what is meant to be, then the Almighty's will be done."
Let earth dissolve, yon ponderous orbs descend,
Let the earth break apart, and those heavy spheres fall,
And grind us into dust. The soul is safe;
And grind us into dust. The soul is safe;
The man emerges; mounts above the wreck,
The man appears; climbs over the wreck,
As towering flame[31] from Nature’s funeral pyre;
As a towering flame[31] from Nature's funeral pyre;
O’er devastation, as a gainer, smiles;
Over destruction, as a winner, smiles;
His charter, his inviolable rights, 750
His charter, his inviolable rights,
Well pleased to learn from thunder’s impotence,
Well pleased to realize the weakness of thunder,
Death’s pointless darts, and hell’s defeated storms.”
Death's aimless darts and hell's conquered storms.
But these chimeras touch not thee, Lorenzo!
But these illusions don't affect you, Lorenzo!
The glories of the world thy sevenfold shield.
The glories of the world your sevenfold shield.
Other ambition than of crowns in air,
Other ambition than that of crowns in the sky,
And superlunary felicities,
And celestial joys,
Thy bosom warm. I’ll cool it, if I can;
Your warm heart. I’ll cool it, if I can;
And turn those glories that enchant, against thee.
And turn those captivating glories against you.
What ties thee to this life, proclaims the next. 759
What connects you to this life, declares the next.759
If wise, the cause that wounds thee is thy cure.
If you're wise, the thing that hurts you is also your remedy.
Come, my ambitious! let us mount together
Come on, my ambitious friend! Let's climb together.
(To mount, Lorenzo never can refuse);
(To mount, Lorenzo can never refuse);
And from the clouds, where pride delights to dwell,
And from the clouds, where pride loves to hang out,
Look down on earth.—What seest thou? Wondrous things!
Look down at the earth. What do you see? Amazing things!
Terrestrial wonders, that eclipse the skies.
Terrestrial wonders that outshine the skies.
What lengths of labour’d lands! what loaded seas!
What extensive cultivated lands! What packed seas!
Loaded by man, for pleasure, wealth, or war!
Loaded by people, for enjoyment, money, or conflict!
Seas, winds, and planets, into service brought,
Seas, winds, and planets, now put to work,
His art acknowledge, and promote his ends.
His art acknowledges and promotes his goals.
Nor can th’ eternal rocks his will withstand; 770
Nor can the eternal rocks withstand his will;770
What levell’d mountains! and what lifted vales!
What flattened mountains! And what raised valleys!
O’er vales and mountains sumptuous cities swell.
Over valleys and mountains, luxurious cities rise.
And gild our landscape with their glittering spires.
And decorate our landscape with their shimmering towers.
Some mid the wondering waves majestic rise;
Somewhere among the curious waves, majestic forms rise;
And Neptune holds a mirror to their charms.
And Neptune reflects their beauty.
Far greater still! (what cannot mortal might?)
Far greater still! (What can't a human do?)
See, wide dominions ravish’d from the deep!
See, vast lands taken from the ocean!
The narrow’d deep with indignation foams.
The narrow stretch of water churns with anger.
Or southward turn; to delicate and grand,
Or turn southward; to the delicate and the grand,
The finer arts there ripen in the sun. 780
The finer arts flourish there in the sunlight.780
How the tall temples, as to meet their gods,
How the towering temples seem to reach out to meet their gods,
Ascend the skies! the proud triumphal arch
Ascend the skies! the proud victory arch
Shows us half heaven beneath its ample bend.
Shows us half heaven beneath its wide curve.
High through mid-air, here, streams are taught to flow;
High in the air, here, streams are guided to flow;
Whole rivers, there, laid by in basins, sleep.
Whole rivers lie there in basins, sleeping.
Here, plains turn oceans; there, vast oceans join
Here, plains become oceans; over there, vast oceans connect.
Through kingdoms channell’d deep from shore to shore;
Through kingdoms connected deep from shore to shore;
And changed creation takes its face from man.
And changed creation takes its form from humans.
Beats thy brave breast for formidable scenes,
Beats your brave heart for challenging moments,
Where fame and empire wait upon the sword? 790
Where do fame and empire depend on the sword?790
See fields in blood; hear naval thunders rise;
See fields soaked in blood; hear the booming of naval cannons rise;
Britannia’s voice! that awes the world to peace.
Britannia's voice! that inspires the world to peace.
How yon enormous mole projecting breaks 793
How that huge mole sticking out breaks
The mid-sea, furious waves! Their roar amidst,
The mid-ocean, raging waves! Their roar in the midst,
Out-speaks the Deity, and says, “O main!
Out speaks the Deity, and says, “O great one!
Thus far, nor farther; new restraints obey.”
Thus far, and no further; new limits to follow.”
Earth’s disembowell’d! measured are the skies!
Earth’s been torn apart! The skies are measured!
Stars are detected in their deep recess!
Stars are found in their deep corners!
Creation widens! vanquish’d Nature yields!
Creation expands! Conquered Nature surrenders!
Her secrets are extorted! Art prevails! 800
Her secrets are being forced out of her! Art wins!800
What monument of genius, spirit, power!
What a marvel of genius, spirit, and power!
And now, Lorenzo! raptured at this scene,
And now, Lorenzo! captivated by this scene,
Whose glories render heaven superfluous! say,
Whose glories make heaven unnecessary! say,
Whose footsteps these?—Immortals have been here.
Whose footsteps are these?—Immortals have been here.
Could less than souls immortal this have done?
Could anything less than immortal souls have done this?
Earth’s cover’d o’er with proofs of souls immortal;
Earth is covered with evidence of immortal souls;
And proofs of immortality forgot.
And proofs of immortality forgotten.
To flatter thy grand foible, I confess,
To indulge your great weakness, I admit,
These are Ambition’s works: and these are great:
These are the works of Ambition: and they are significant:
But this, the least immortal souls can do; 810
But this is the least that immortal souls can do;810
Transcend them all—but what can these transcend?
Transcend everything—but what can actually be transcended?
Dost ask me what?—One sigh for the distress’d.
Dost ask me what?—One sigh for the distressed.
What then for infidels? A deeper sigh.
What about the nonbelievers? A heavier sigh.
’Tis moral grandeur makes the mighty man:
It’s moral greatness that makes the powerful man:
How little they, who think aught great below!
How little they know, those who think anything is truly great down here!
All our ambitions death defeats, but one;
All our ambitions are defeated by death, except for one;
And that it crowns.—Here cease we: but, ere long,
And that's it for now. We'll stop here, but soon enough,
More powerful proof shall take the field against thee,
More convincing evidence will be presented against you,
Stronger than death, and smiling at the tomb. 819
Stronger than death, and smiling at the grave.819
THE
INFIDEL RECLAIMED.
PART II.
Including
THE NATURE, PROOF, AND IMPORTANCE
OF IMMORTALITY.
PREFACE.
As we are at war with the power, it were well if we were at war with the manners, of France. A land of levity is a land of guilt. A serious mind is the native soil of every virtue; and the single character that does true honour to mankind. The soul’s immortality has been the favourite theme with the serious of all ages. Nor is it strange: it is a subject by far the most interesting and important that can enter the mind of man. Of highest moment this subject always was, and always will be. Yet this its highest moment seems to admit of increase, at this day; a sort of occasional importance is superadded to the natural weight of it; if that opinion which is advanced in the Preface to the preceding Night be just. It is there supposed, that all our infidels, whatever scheme, for argument’s sake, and to keep themselves in countenance, they patronise, are betrayed into their deplorable error, by some doubts of their immortality, at the bottom. And the more I consider this point, the more I am persuaded of the truth of that opinion. Though the distrust of a futurity is a strange error; yet it is an error into which bad men may naturally be distressed. For it is impossible to bid defiance to final ruin, without some refuge in imagination, some presumption of escape. And what presumption is there? There are but two in nature; but two, within the compass of human thought. And these are,—That either God will not, or can not, punish. Considering the divine attributes, the first is too gross to be digested by our strongest wishes. And since omnipotence is as much a divine attribute as holiness, that God cannot punish, is as absurd a supposition as the former. God certainly can punish as long as wicked men exist. In non-existence, therefore, is their only refuge; and, consequently, non-existence is their strongest wish. And strong wishes have a strange influence on our opinions; they bias the judgment in a manner almost incredible. And since on this member of their alternative, there are some very small appearances in their favour, and none at all on the other, they catch at this reed, they lay hold on this chimera, to save themselves from the shock and horror of an immediate and absolute despair.
As we’re at war with authority, it would be good if we were also at war with the attitudes of France. A culture of frivolity leads to a culture of guilt. A serious mindset is the foundation of every virtue; it’s the only quality that truly honors humanity. The immortality of the soul has been a favorite topic for the serious-minded throughout history. It’s not surprising—it’s the most interesting and significant subject that anyone can contemplate. This topic has always mattered immensely and will continue to do so. Yet, its significance seems to be growing today; there’s an added layer of importance to its inherent weight, if the idea presented in the Preface to the previous Night is correct. It suggests that all our skeptics, no matter what reasoning they adopt to justify their views, are ultimately led into their tragic misconception by underlying doubts about their immortality. The more I reflect on this, the more convinced I am of this idea. Although doubting an afterlife is a strange mistake, it’s one that bad people might realistically struggle with. It’s impossible to mock the idea of final destruction without seeking some comfort in imagination or some hope of escape. And what hope is there? There are only two options in nature, only two within the scope of human thought. These are: either God will not punish, or God cannot punish. Given God’s attributes, the first option is too crude for even our strongest desires to accept. And since omnipotence is as essential an attribute as holiness, the idea that God cannot punish is just as ridiculous as the previous one. God can certainly punish as long as there are wicked people. Therefore, non-existence is their only refuge; consequently, their strongest desire is for non-existence. And strong desires have a surprising impact on our beliefs; they distort our judgment in ways that seem almost unbelievable. Since there are a few minor points supporting this option, while none support the other, they cling to this flimsy hope, they grasp at this illusion, to protect themselves from the shock and horror of immediate and absolute despair.
On reviewing my subject, by the light which this argument, and others of like tendency, threw upon it, I was more inclined than ever to pursue it, as it appeared to me to strike directly at the main root of all our infidelity. In the following pages it is, accordingly, pursued at large; and some arguments for immortality, new at least to me, are ventured on in them. There also the writer has made an attempt to set the gross absurdities and horrors of annihilation in a fuller and more affecting view than is (I think) to be met with elsewhere.
As I reviewed my topic, the insights from this argument and others like it made me more determined than ever to explore it. It seemed to address the core of all our doubts. In the following pages, I delve into it extensively and present some arguments for immortality that are at least new to me. Additionally, I try to present the sheer absurdity and horrors of annihilation in a way that I believe is more comprehensive and impactful than what is usually found elsewhere.
The gentlemen, for whose sake this attempt was chiefly made, profess great admiration for the wisdom of heathen antiquity: what pity it is they are not sincere! If they were sincere, how would it mortify them to consider, with what contempt and abhorrence their notions would have been received by those whom they so much admire! What degree of contempt and abhorrence would fall to their share, may be conjectured by the following matter of fact (in my opinion) extremely memorable. Of all their heathen worthies, Socrates (it is well known) was the most guarded, dispassionate, and composed: yet this great master of temper was angry; and angry at his last hour; and angry with his friend; and angry for what deserved acknowledgment; angry for a right and tender instance of true friendship towards him. Is not this surprising? What could be the cause? The cause was for his honour; it was a truly noble, though, perhaps, a too punctilious, regard for immortality. For his friend asking him, with such an affectionate concern as became a friend, “where he should deposit his remains,” it was resented by Socrates, as implying a dishonourable supposition, that he could be so mean, as to have a regard for anything, even in himself, that was not immortal.
The gentlemen, for whom this effort was mainly made, express a deep admiration for the wisdom of ancient pagan thinkers: isn’t it a shame they aren’t genuine! If they were, how mortifying it would be for them to realize how much contempt and disgust their ideas would have faced from those they so admire! The level of contempt and disgust they would receive can be inferred from a particularly noteworthy fact (in my view). Of all their pagan heroes, Socrates (as is widely known) was the most careful, calm, and composed: yet this great master of restraint felt anger; and he felt it at his final moments; and he felt it toward his friend; and he felt it for something that should have been acknowledged; upset over a sincere and kind gesture of true friendship. Isn’t that surprising? What could be the reason? The reason was his honor; it was a genuinely noble, though perhaps overly meticulous, concern for his legacy. When his friend asked him, with genuine worry, “where he should bury his remains,” Socrates took it as an offense, implying an undignified assumption that he could be so petty as to care about anything, even about himself, that wasn’t eternal.
This fact well considered, would make our infidels withdraw their admiration from Socrates; or make them endeavour, by their imitation of this illustrious example, to share his glory: and, consequently, it would incline them to peruse the following pages with candour and impartiality; which is all I desire; and that, for their sakes: for I am persuaded, that an unprejudiced infidel must, necessarily, receive some advantageous impressions from them.
Considering this fact, it would lead our non-believers to stop admiring Socrates or try to imitate this great example in hopes of sharing his glory. As a result, it would encourage them to read the following pages with openness and fairness, which is all I want, especially for their benefit. I'm convinced that an unbiased non-believer will undoubtedly gain some positive insights from them.
July 7, 1744.
July 7, 1744.
NIGHT SEVENTH.
SEVENTH NIGHT.
THE INFIDEL RECLAIMED.
Part II.
CONTENTS.
In the Sixth Night arguments were drawn, from Nature, in proof of Immortality: here, others are drawn from Man: from his Discontent, ver. 29; from his Passions and Powers, 63; from the gradual growth of Reason, 81; from his fear of Death, 86; from the nature of Hope, 104; and of Virtue, 159, &c.; from Knowledge and Love, as being the most essential properties of the soul, 253; from the order of Creation, 290, &c.; from the nature of Ambition, 337, &c.; Avarice, 460; Pleasure, 477. A digression on the grandeur of the Passions, 521. Immortality alone renders our present state intelligible, 545. An objection from the Stoics’ disbelief of immortality answered, 585. Endless questions unresolvable, but on the supposition of our immortality, 606. The natural, most melancholy, and pathetic complaint of a worthy man, under the persuasion of no Futurity, 653, &c. The gross absurdities and horrors of annihilation urged home on Lorenzo, 843, &c. The soul’s vast importance, 992, &c.; from whence it arises, 1080. The Difficulty of being an Infidel, 1133; the Infamy, 1148; the Cause, 1188; and the Character, 1203, of an Infidel state. What true free-thinking is, 1218. The necessary punishment of the false, 1273. Man’s ruin is from himself, 1303. An Infidel accuses himself with guilt and hypocrisy, and that of the worst sort, 1319. His obligation to Christians, 1337. What danger he incurs by Virtue, 1345. Vice recommended to him, 1364. His high pretences to Virtue and Benevolence exploded, 1373. The Conclusion, on the nature of Faith, 1406; Reason, 1440; and Hope, 1445; with an apology for this attempt, 1472.
In the Sixth Night, arguments were made from Nature to support the idea of immortality: others are made from human nature, including from his discontent, verse 29; from his passions and abilities, 63; from the gradual development of reason, 81; from his fear of death, 86; from the nature of hope, 104; and virtue, 159, etc.; from knowledge and love, which are the most essential qualities of the soul, 253; from the order of creation, 290, etc.; from the nature of ambition, 337, etc.; greed, 460; pleasure, 477. There's a digression on the grandeur of the passions, 521. Immortality alone makes our current state comprehensible, 545. An objection based on the Stoics’ disbelief in immortality is addressed, 585. Endless questions remain unresolved unless we assume our immortality, 606. The natural, deeply sad, and poignant complaint of a worthy man who believes there’s no afterlife, 653, etc. The blatant absurdities and terrors of annihilation are forcefully presented to Lorenzo, 843, etc. The vast importance of the soul, 992, etc.; where it comes from, 1080. The difficulty of being an unbeliever, 1133; the disgrace, 1148; the cause, 1188; and the character, 1203, of an unbelieving state. What true free-thinking means, 1218. The necessary punishment for false free-thinking, 1273. Man's downfall is due to himself, 1303. An unbeliever accuses himself of guilt and hypocrisy, and of the worst kind, 1319. His obligation to Christians, 1337. The danger he faces through virtue, 1345. Vice is suggested to him, 1364. His lofty claims to virtue and benevolence are debunked, 1373. The conclusion covers the nature of faith, 1406; reason, 1440; and hope, 1445; along with an apology for this endeavor, 1472.
Heaven gives the needful, but neglected, call.
Heaven provides what is necessary, but it often goes unnoticed.
What day, what hour, but knocks at human hearts,
What day, what hour, but knocks at human hearts,
To wake the soul to sense of future scenes? 3
To awaken the soul to the awareness of future events?3
Deaths stand, like Mercuries, in every way,
Deaths stand, like Messengers, in every way,
And kindly point us to our journey’s end.
And please guide us to the end of our journey.
Pope, who could’st make immortals! art thou dead?
Pope, who could make immortals! Are you really dead?
I give thee joy: nor will I take my leave;
I wish you happiness: and I won't say goodbye;
So soon to follow. Man but dives in death;
So soon to come after. Man just plunges into death;
Dives from the sun, in fairer day to rise;
Dives from the sun, on a brighter day to shine;
The grave, his subterranean road to bliss. 10
The grave, his underground path to happiness.10
Yes, infinite indulgence plann’d it so;
Yes, endless indulgence arranged it that way;
Through various parts our glorious story runs;
Through different parts, our amazing story unfolds;
Time gives the preface, endless age unrolls
Time provides the introduction, and eternity unfolds.
The volume (ne’er unroll’d!) of human fate.
The volume (never unrolled!) of human fate.
The world’s a prophecy of worlds to come;
The world is a prediction of the worlds that will follow;
And who, what God foretells (who speaks in things,
And who, what God predicts (who communicates through things,
Still louder than in words) shall dare deny?
Still louder than with words) who would dare deny?
If Nature’s arguments appear too weak,
If Nature's arguments seem too weak,
Turn a new leaf, and stronger read in Man. 20
Turn over a new leaf, and be stronger in understanding, man.20
If man sleeps on, untaught by what he sees,
If a person continues to sleep, not learning from what they see,
Can he prove infidel to what he feels?
Can he be unfaithful to what he feels?
He, whose blind thought futurity denies,
He, who denies the future with his blind thoughts,
His own indictment; he condemns himself;
His own accusation; he judges himself;
Who reads his bosom, reads immortal life;
Whoever reads his heart reads eternal life;
Or, Nature, there, imposing on her sons,
Or, Nature, there, demanding from her children,
Has written fables; man was made a lie.
Has written fables; man was created a lie.
Why Discontent for ever harbour’d there?
Why has discontent always been there?
Incurable consumption of our peace! 30
Incurable disruption of our peace! 30
Resolve me, why, the cottager, and king,
Resolve me, why, the cottager, and king,
He, whom sea-sever’d realms obey, and he
He, whom distant kingdoms obey, and he
Who steals his whole dominion from the waste,
Who takes his entire kingdom from the wasteland,
Repelling winter blasts with mud and straw 34
Repelling winter winds with mud and straw34
Disquieted alike, draw sigh for sigh,
Disquieted together, let out sighs in unison,
In fate so distant, in complaint so near?
In a fate so far away, in a complaint so close?
Is it, that things terrestrial can’t content?
Is it that earthly things can't satisfy?
Deep in rich pasture will thy flocks complain?
Deep in lush pastures, will your flocks complain?
Not so; but to their master is denied
Not so; but their master is denied
To share their sweet serene. Man, ill at ease,
To share their sweet peace. Man, uncomfortable,
In this, not his own place, this foreign field,
In this unfamiliar place, this strange land,
Where Nature fodders him with other food, 42
Where nature feeds him with different nourishment,42
Than was ordain’d his cravings to suffice,
Than was ordained his cravings to be satisfied,
Poor in abundance, famish’d at a feast,
Poor in wealth, starving at a banquet,
Sighs on for something more, when most enjoy’d.
Sighs for something more when most enjoyed.
Is Heaven, then, kinder to thy flocks than thee?
Is Heaven, then, kinder to your flocks than to you?
Not so; thy pasture richer, but remote;
Not really; your pasture is richer, but far away;
In part, remote; for that remoter part
In part, remote; for that more distant part
Man bleats from instinct, though perhaps, debauch’d
Man bleats from instinct, though maybe, corrupted.
By sense, his reason sleeps, nor dreams the cause. 50
By his senses, his mind is asleep, and he doesn’t even dream about the reason. 50
The cause how obvious, when his reason wakes!
The reason is so clear when he comes to his senses!
His grief is but his grandeur in disguise;
His grief is just his greatness in disguise;
And discontent is immortality.
And discontent is eternal.
Shall sons of ether, shall the blood of heaven,
Shall sons of the sky, shall the blood of heaven,
Set up their hopes on earth, and stable here,
Set their hopes on the ground and make a home here,
With brutal acquiescence in the mire?
With harsh acceptance in the muck?
Lorenzo, no! they shall be nobly pain’d;
Lorenzo, no! They will feel great pain;
The glorious foreigners, distress’d, shall sigh
The glorious foreigners, distressed, shall sigh
On thrones; and thou congratulate the sigh:
On thrones; and you congratulate the sigh:
Man’s misery declares him born for bliss; 60
Man's suffering shows that he's meant for happiness; 60
His anxious heart asserts the truth I sing,
His anxious heart confirms the truth I sing,
And gives the sceptic in his head the lie.
And tells the skeptic in his mind the truth.
Our heads, our hearts, our passions, and our powers,
Our minds, our feelings, our passions, and our abilities,
Speak the same language; call us to the skies:
Speak the same language; call us to the skies:
Unripen’d these in this inclement clime,
Unripened these in this harsh climate,
Scarce rise above conjecture, and mistake;
Scarce rise above guesswork and error;
And for this land of trifles those too strong
And for this land of trivial things, those are too strong
Tumultuous rise, and tempest human life: 68
Tumultuous rise, and stormy human life:68
What prize on earth can pay us for the storm?
What reward on earth can compensate us for the storm?
Meet objects for our passions Heaven ordain’d,
Meet objects for our passions that Heaven has ordained,
Objects that challenge all their fire, and leave
Objects that challenge all their fire and leave
No fault, but in defect: bless’d Heaven! avert
No blame, just a flaw: blessed Heaven! keep it away
A bounded ardour for unbounded bliss!
A limited passion for endless happiness!
O for a bliss unbounded! Far beneath
O for a bliss without limits! Deep below
A soul immortal, is a mortal joy.
A soul is immortal, but joy is temporary.
Nor are our powers to perish immature;
Nor are our powers to perish immature;
But, after feeble effort here, beneath
But, after a weak attempt here, beneath
A brighter sun, and in a nobler soil,
A brighter sun, and in a better soil,
Transplanted from this sublunary bed,
Transplanted from this earthly place,
Shall flourish fair, and put forth all their bloom. 80
Shall thrive beautifully, and show off all their blossoms.80
Reason progressive, Instinct is complete;
Think progressive, instinct is whole;
Swift Instinct leaps; slow Reason feebly climbs.
Swift Instinct jumps ahead; slow Reason struggles to keep up.
Brutes soon their zenith reach; their little all
Brutes quickly reach their peak; their little everything
Flows in at once; in ages they no more
Flows in at once; over time they no longer
Could know, or do, or covet, or enjoy.
Could know, do, want, or enjoy.
Were man to live coeval with the sun,
Were a person to live alongside the sun,
The patriarch-pupil would be learning still;
The father-figure student would still be learning;
Yet, dying, leave his lesson half unlearn’d.
Yet, dying, leave his lesson half unlearned.
Men perish in advance, as if the sun
Men perish in advance, as if the sun
Should set ere noon, in eastern oceans drown’d; 90
Should set before noon, in eastern oceans drowned;90
If fit, with dim, illustrious to compare,
If fit, with a faint glow, ready to compare,
The sun’s meridian with the soul of man.
The sun’s noon with the spirit of a person.
To man, why, stepdame Nature! so severe?
To man, why are you so harsh, stepmother Nature?
Why thrown aside thy masterpiece half wrought,
Why cast aside your incomplete masterpiece,
While meaner efforts thy last hand enjoy?
While harsher efforts does your last hand enjoy?
Or, if abortively, poor man must die,
Or, if he fails, the poor man must die,
Nor reach, what reach he might, why die in dread?
Nor reach, whatever he could, why die in fear?
Why cursed with foresight? wise to misery?
Why be cursed with foresight? Smart enough to know misery?
Why of his proud prerogative the prey?
Why is he so proud of his right to the prey?
Why less pre-eminent in rank than pain? 100
Why is it ranked lower than pain?100
His immortality alone can tell;
His immortality speaks for itself;
Full ample fund to balance all amiss, 102
Full ample fund to balance all that's wrong,102
And turn the scale in favour of the just!
And tip the scales in favor of what’s right!
His immortality alone can solve
His immortality can solve everything.
The darkest of enigmas, human hope;
The greatest mystery, human hope;
Of all the darkest, if at death we die.
Of all the darkest things, if we die at death.
Hope, eager Hope, th’ assassin of our joy,
Hope, eager Hope, the killer of our joy,
All present blessings treading under foot,
All current blessings ignored,
Is scarce a milder tyrant than Despair.
Is scarcity a milder tyrant than despair?
With no past toils content, still planting new, 110
With no past struggles satisfied, still planting new,110
Hope turns us o’er to death alone for ease.
Hope leads us to find comfort only in death.
Possession, why more tasteless than pursuit?
Possession, why is it more bland than the chase?
Why is a wish far dearer than a crown?
Why is a wish much more precious than a crown?
That wish accomplish’d, why the grave of bliss?
That wish fulfilled, why the grave of happiness?
Because, in the great future buried deep,
Because, in the far-off future hidden deep,
Beyond our plans of empire and renown,
Beyond our ambitions for power and fame,
Lies all that man with ardour should pursue;
Lies everything that a person should passionately chase after;
And He who made him, bent him to the right.
And the one who created him guided him to the right path.
Man’s heart th’ Almighty to the future sets,
Man’s heart the Almighty sets toward the future,
By secret and inviolable springs; 120
By hidden and secure sources;
And makes his hope his sublunary joy.
And turns his hope into his earthly joy.
Man’s heart eats all things, and is hungry still;
Man's heart craves everything, and it’s still hungry;
“More, more!” the glutton cries: for something new
“More, more!” the glutton shouts: for something new
So rages appetite, if man can’t mount,
So hunger intensifies, if a person can't satisfy it,
He will descend. He starves on the possess’d.
He will come down. He’s starving from the obsession.
Hence, the world’s master, from ambition’s spire,
Hence, the world's master, from ambition's peak,
In Caprea plunged; and dived beneath the brute.
In Caprea jumped in and dove under the beast.
In that rank sty why wallow’d empire’s son
In that messy pigpen, why did the son of the empire wallow?
Supreme? Because he could no higher fly;
Supreme? Because he couldn't soar any higher;
His riot was ambition in despair. 130
His rebellion was ambition in despair.130
Old Rome consulted birds; Lorenzo! thou
Old Rome looked to the birds; Lorenzo! you
With more success, the flight of Hope survey;
With greater success, the Hope survey takes flight;
Of restless Hope, for ever on the wing.
Of restless hope, always in motion.
High perch’d o’er every thought that falcon sits,
High above every thought, that falcon sits,
To fly at all that rises in her sight;
To soar at anything that comes into her view;
And never stooping, but to mount again 136
And never bending down, but to rise up again136
Next moment, she betrays her aim’s mistake,
Next moment, she reveals her goal's mistake,
And owns her quarry lodged beyond the grave.
And has her target trapped beyond the grave.
There should it fail us (it must fail us there,
There it should fail us (it has to fail us there,
If being fails), more mournful riddles rise,
If being fails, more sorrowful riddles emerge,
And Virtue vies with Hope in mystery.
And Virtue competes with Hope in mystery.
Why Virtue? where its praise, its being, fled?
Why Virtue? Where did its praise and existence go?
Virtue is true self-interest pursued: 143
Virtue is genuine self-interest pursued: __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__
What true self-interest of quite-mortal man?
What is the true self-interest of a mortal person?
To close with all that makes him happy here.
To finish with everything that makes him happy here.
If vice (as sometimes) is our friend on earth,
If vice (as it sometimes is) is our friend here on earth,
Then vice is virtue; ’tis our sovereign good.
Then vice is virtue; it's our ultimate good.
In self-applause is virtue’s golden prize;
In self-praise is virtue’s greatest reward;
No self-applause attends it on thy scheme:
No self-praise goes along with your plan:
Whence self-applause? From conscience of the right.
Where does self-praise come from? From knowing what's right.
And what is right, but means of happiness? 151
And what is right, if not a way to achieve happiness?151
No means of happiness when virtue yields;
No way to find happiness when virtue submits;
That basis failing, falls the building too,
That foundation failing, the whole structure collapses,
And lays in ruin every virtuous joy.
And destroys all virtuous joy.
The rigid guardian of a blameless heart,
The strict protector of an innocent heart,
So long revered, so long reputed wise,
So long respected, so long considered wise,
Is weak; with rank knight-errantries o’errun.
Is weak; overwhelmed by lowly knightly adventures.
Why beats thy bosom with illustrious dreams
Why does your heart beat with great dreams?
Of self-exposure, laudable, and great?
Of self-exposure, admirable, and significant?
Of gallant enterprise, and glorious death? 160
Of brave adventures and heroic death?160
Die for thy country!—Thou romantic fool!
Die for your country!—You romantic fool!
Seize, seize the plank thyself, and let her sink:
Seize the plank yourself, and let her sink:
Thy country! what to thee?—the Godhead, what?
Your country! What does it mean to you?—the divine, what?
(I speak with awe!) though He should bid thee bleed?
(I speak with awe!) though He should ask you to bleed?
If, with thy blood, thy final hope is spilt,
If your blood is spilled, your final hope is gone,
Nor can Omnipotence reward the blow,
Nor can Omnipotence reward the blow,
Be deaf; preserve thy being; disobey.
Be deaf; protect yourself; ignore the rules.
Nor is it disobedience: know, Lorenzo!
Nor is it disobedience: you should know, Lorenzo!
Whate’er th’ Almighty’s subsequent command,
Whatever the Almighty’s next command,
His first command is this:—“Man, love thyself.” 170
His first command is this:—“Dude, love yourself.”170
In this alone, free agents are not free.
In this alone, free agents aren't truly free.
Existence is the basis, bliss the prize;
Existence is the foundation, happiness is the reward;
If virtue costs existence, ’tis a crime;
If being virtuous means sacrificing life, then it’s a crime;
Bold violation of our law supreme,
Bold violation of our highest law,
Black suicide; though nations, which consult
Black suicide; though nations, which consult
Their gain, at thy expence, resound applause.
Their gain, at your expense, gets loud applause.
Since Virtue’s recompence is doubtful, here,
Since the reward for virtue is uncertain here,
If man dies wholly, well may we demand,
If a person dies completely, we can rightfully ask,
Why is man suffer’d to be good in vain?
Why is a person allowed to be good for no reason?
Why to be good in vain, is man enjoin’d? 180
Why should a person be good if it's pointless?
Why to be good in vain, is man betray’d?
Why be good if it's pointless? Why does man betray himself?
Betray’d by traitors lodged in his own breast,
Betrayed by traitors living in his own heart,
By sweet complacencies from virtue felt?
By the sweet satisfaction that comes from feeling virtuous?
Why whispers Nature lies on Virtue’s part?
Why does Nature quietly side with Virtue?
Or if blind Instinct (which assumes the name
Or if blind Instinct (which assumes the name
Of sacred conscience) plays the fool in man,
Of sacred conscience) plays the fool in people,
Why Reason made accomplice in the cheat?
Why did reason become an accomplice in the deception?
Why are the wisest loudest in her praise?
Why are the wisest the loudest in praising her?
Can man by Reason’s beam be led astray?
Can a person be misled by the light of reason?
Or, at his peril, imitate his God? 190
Or, at his own risk, try to be like his God?190
Since virtue sometimes ruins us on earth,
Since being virtuous can sometimes lead to our downfall in this world,
Or both are true, or man survives the grave.
Or both are true, or a person survives the grave.
Or man survives the grave, or own, Lorenzo,
Or man survives the grave, or our own, Lorenzo,
Thy boast supreme, a wild absurdity.
Your ultimate claim is a complete absurdity.
Dauntless thy spirit; cowards are thy scorn.
Your spirit is fearless; you look down on cowards.
Grant man immortal, and thy scorn is just.
Grant man immortality, and your scorn is deserved.
The man immortal, rationally brave,
The man is immortal and brave.
Dares rush on death—because he cannot die.
Dares rush into danger—because he can't die.
But if man loses all, when life is lost,
But if a person loses everything when they lose their life,
He lives a coward, or a fool expires. 200
He lives like a coward, or a fool dies.200
A daring infidel (and such there are,
A bold nonbeliever (and there are indeed some,
From pride, example, lucre, rage, revenge,
From pride, example, profit, anger, revenge,
Or pure heroical defect of thought), 203
Or pure heroic flaw in thinking),203
Of all earth’s madmen, most deserves a chain.
Of all the crazy people on earth, the one who deserves to be chained the most.
When to the grave we follow the renown’d
When we follow the renowned to the grave
For valour, virtue, science, all we love,
For courage, goodness, knowledge, everything we cherish,
And all we praise; for worth, whose noontide beam,
And all we appreciate; for value, whose brightest moment,
Enabling us to think in higher style,
Enabling us to think in a more sophisticated way,
Mends our ideas of ethereal powers;
Mends our thoughts about supernatural abilities;
Dream we, that lustre of the moral world 210
Dream we, that shine of the moral world210
Goes out in stench, and rottenness the close?
Goes out in the smell and decay of the close?
Why was he wise to know, and warm to praise,
Why was he smart to understand and kind to give praise,
And strenuous to transcribe, in human life,
And hard to write down, in human life,
The Mind Almighty? Could it be, that Fate,
The Mind Almighty? Could it be that Fate,
Just when the lineaments began to shine,
Just when the features started to glow,
And dawn the Deity, should snatch the draught,
And dawn the God, should grab the drink,
With night eternal blot it out, and give
With endless night, erase it all, and provide
The skies alarm, lest angels too might die?
The skies are alarmed, in case the angels might die too?
If human souls, why not angelic too
If human souls exist, why not angelic ones as well?
Extinguish’d? and a solitary God, 220
Extinguished? And a lonely God,
O’er ghastly ruin, frowning from his throne?
O'er terrible destruction, glaring from his throne?
Shall we this moment gaze on God in man?
Shall we take a moment to look at God in man?
The next, lose man for ever in the dust?
The next, lose a man forever in the dust?
From dust we disengage, or man mistakes;
From dust we separate, or man is mistaken;
And there, where least his judgment fears a flaw.
And there, where his judgment is least likely to find a flaw.
Wisdom and worth, how boldly he commends!
Wisdom and value, how confidently he praises!
Wisdom and worth, are sacred names; revered,
Wisdom and worth are sacred names; revered,
Where not embraced; applauded; deified;
Where not embraced, celebrated, idolized;
Why not compassion’d too? If spirits die,
Why not have compassion too? If spirits die,
Both are calamities, inflicted both, 230
Both are disasters, inflicted both,
To make us but more wretched: Wisdom’s eye
To make us even more miserable: The eye of wisdom
Acute, for what? to spy more miseries;
Acute, for what? To see more suffering;
And worth, so recompensed, new-points their stings.
And worth, so rewarded, sharpens their edges.
Or man surmounts the grave, or gain is loss,
Or a person overcomes death, or what we gain is a loss,
And worth exalted humbles us the more.
And the value of what is exalted makes us feel even more humble.
Thou wilt not patronise a scheme that makes 236
Thou wilt not patronize a scheme that makes236
Weakness and vice the refuge of mankind.
Weakness and vice are the refuge of humanity.
“Has virtue, then, no joys?”—Yes, joys dear-bought.
“Does virtue not have any joys?”—Yes, joys that come at a price.
Talk ne’er so long, in this imperfect state,
Talk never so long, in this imperfect state,
Virtue and vice are at eternal war,
Virtue and vice are in a constant struggle,
Virtue’s a combat; and who fights for nought?
Virtue is a battle, and who fights for nothing?
Or for precarious, or for small reward?
Or for something risky, or for a small reward?
Who virtue’s self-reward so loud resound, 243
Who virtue's own reward sounds so loudly, 243
Would take degrees angelic here below,
Would take angelic degrees here below,
And virtue, while they compliment, betray,
And virtue, while they praise, deceive,
By feeble motives, and unfaithful guards.
By weak motives and unreliable guards.
The crown, th’ unfading crown, her soul inspires:
The crown, the everlasting crown, inspires her soul:
’Tis that, and that alone, can countervail
That alone can counteract
The body’s treacheries, and the world’s assaults:
The body’s betrayals, and the world’s attacks:
On earth’s poor pay our famish’d virtue dies. 250
On earth's low wages, our starving virtue fades away.250
Truth incontestible! in spite of all
Truth is undeniable! Despite everything.
A Bayle has preach’d, or a Voltaire believed.
A Bayle has preached, or a Voltaire believed.
In man the more we dive, the more we see
In humans, the deeper we explore, the more we discover.
Heaven’s signet stamping an immortal make.
Heaven's seal crafting something timeless.
Dive to the bottom of his soul, the base
Dive to the depths of his soul, the foundation
Sustaining all; what find we? knowledge, love.
Sustaining everything; what do we find? Knowledge and love.
As light and heat, essential to the sun,
As light and heat, which are essential to the sun,
These to the soul. And why, if souls expire?
These to the soul. And why do souls fade away?
How little lovely here? how little known?
How little is it lovely here? How little is it known?
Small knowledge we dig up with endless toil; 260
Small knowledge we uncover with endless effort; 260
And love unfeign’d may purchase perfect hate.
And genuine love can lead to complete hatred.
Why starved, on earth, our angel appetites;
Why are our angelic desires starved on this earth?
While brutal are indulged their fulsome fill?
While the brutal are indulged in their excessive desires?
Were then capacities divine conferr’d,
Were divine powers then granted,
As a mock-diadem, in savage sport,
As a fake crown, in wild play,
Rank insult of our pompous poverty,
Rank insult of our arrogant poverty,
Which reaps but pain, from seeming claims so fair?
Which brings nothing but pain, from promises that seem so fair?
In future age lies no redress? and shuts
In the future, is there no way to fix this? And it closes.
Eternity the door on our complaint?
Eternity, is that the door to our complaint?
If so, for what strange ends were mortals made! 270
If that's the case, for what odd purposes were humans created!270
The worst to wallow, and the best to weep;
The worst is to dwell on things, and the best is to cry;
The man who merits most, must most complain:
The man who deserves the most often has the most to complain about:
Can we conceive a disregard in heaven,
Can we imagine a lack of care in heaven,
What the worst perpetrate, or best endure?
What’s worse to inflict or better to tolerate?
This cannot be. To love, and know, in man
This can't be. To love and to know, in a person
Is boundless appetite, and boundless power;
Is unlimited desire and unlimited strength;
And these demonstrate boundless objects too.
And these show limitless things as well.
Objects, powers, appetites, Heaven suits in all;
Objects, powers, desires, Heaven fits in all;
Nor, nature through, e’er violates this sweet,
Nor does nature ever violate this sweetness,
Eternal concord, on her tuneful string. 280
Eternal harmony, on her melodious string.280
Is Man the sole exception from her laws?
Is man the only exception to her laws?
Eternity struck off from human hope
Eternity removed itself from human hope
(I speak with truth, but veneration too),
(I speak with truth, but respect too),
Man is a monster, the reproach of Heaven,
Man is a monster, the shame of Heaven,
A stain, a dark impenetrable cloud
A stain, a dark, impenetrable cloud
On Nature’s beauteous aspect; and deforms
On Nature’s beautiful appearance; and disfigures
(Amazing blot!), deforms her with her lord.
(Amazing blot!), deforms her with her lord.
If such is man’s allotment, what is heaven?
If that's what man gets, then what is heaven?
Or own the soul immortal, or blaspheme.
Own the immortal soul, or blaspheme.
Or own the soul immortal, or invert 290
Or own the immortal soul, or turn it around
All order. Go, mock-majesty! go, man!
All in order. Go on, fake majesty! Go, dude!
And bow to thy superiors of the stall;
And show respect to your superiors at the stall;
Through every scene of sense superior far:
Through every scene of heightened perception:
They graze the turf untill’d; they drink the stream
They graze the untended grass; they drink from the stream.
Unbrew’d, and ever full, and unembitter’d
Unbrewed, always full, and without bitterness
With doubts, fears, fruitless hopes, regrets, despairs;
With doubts, fears, unfulfilled hopes, regrets, and despair;
Mankind’s peculiar! reason’s precious dower!
Humans are strange! Reason is a valuable gift!
No foreign clime they ransack for their robes;
No foreign land do they search for their clothes;
Nor brothers cite to the litigious bar;
Nor do brothers call upon the suing bar;
Their good is good entire, unmix’d, unmarr’d; 300
Their goodness is complete, pure, and untarnished;300
They find a paradise in every field,
They find a paradise in every field,
On boughs forbidden where no curses hang:
On branches where no curses linger:
Their ill no more than strikes the sense; unstretch’d
Their sickness doesn’t affect more than just the senses; unexaggerated
By previous dread, or murmur in the rear: 304
By earlier fear, or whisper from behind:304
When the worst comes, it comes unfear’d; one stroke
When the worst happens, it happens without fear; one blow
Begins, and ends, their woe: they die but once;
Begins, and ends, their sadness: they die only once;
Bless’d, incommunicable privilege! for which
Blessed, unique privilege! for which
Proud man, who rules the globe, and reads the stars,
Proud man, who controls the world, and studies the stars,
Philosopher, or hero, sighs in vain.
Philosopher, or hero, sighs with no relief.
Account for this prerogative in brutes.
Account for this privilege in animals.
No day, no glimpse of day, to solve the knot,
No day, no hint of day, to untangle the knot,
But what beams on it from eternity. 312
But what shines on it from eternity.312
O sole and sweet solution! that unties
O sun and sweet solution! that unties
The difficult, and softens the severe;
The hard makes things easier, and softens the tough;
The cloud on nature’s beauteous face dispels;
The cloud on nature’s beautiful face disappears;
Restores bright order; casts the brute beneath;
Restores clear order; keeps the beast in check;
And re-enthrones us in supremacy
And re-establishes our dominance
Of joy, even here: admit immortal life,
Of joy, even here: accept eternal life,
And virtue is knight-errantry no more;
And virtue is no longer about being a knight-errant;
Each virtue brings in hand a golden dower, 320
Each virtue comes with its own golden gift,320
Far richer in reversion: Hope exults;
Far richer in reversion: Hope rejoices;
And though much bitter in our cup is thrown,
And even though a lot of bitterness is poured into our cup,
Predominates, and gives the taste of heaven.
Predominates and gives a heavenly taste.
O wherefore is the Deity so kind?
O why is the Deity so kind?
Astonishing beyond astonishment!
Mind-blowingly amazing!
Heaven our reward—for heaven enjoy’d below.
Heaven is our reward—for heaven experienced here on earth.
Still unsubdued thy stubborn heart?—for there
Still unmoved, your stubborn heart?—for there
The traitor lurks who doubts the truth I sing.
The traitor hides, questioning the truth I speak.
Reason is guiltless; will alone rebels.
Reason is innocent; only the will defies.
What, in that stubborn heart, if I should find 330
What, in that stubborn heart, if I should find
New, unexpected witnesses against thee?
New, unexpected witnesses against you?
Ambition, pleasure, and the love of gain!
Ambition, pleasure, and the desire for profit!
Canst thou suspect that these, which make the soul
Can you doubt that these, which shape the soul
The slave of earth, should own her heir of heaven?
The slave of earth should own her heir of heaven?
Canst thou suspect what makes us disbelieve
Can you guess what makes us disbelieve?
Our immortality, should prove it sure?
Our immortality, if it should prove to be certain?
First, then, Ambition summon to the bar.
First, then, Ambition calls to the stand.
Ambition’s shame, extravagance, disgust 338
Ambition's shame, excess, disgust
And inextinguishable nature, speak.
And unquenchable nature, speak.
Each much deposes; hear them in their turn.
Each one speaks; listen to them in their turn.
Thy soul, how passionately fond of fame!
Your soul, how passionately in love with fame!
How anxious, that fond passion to conceal!
How anxious it is, that dear desire to hide!
We blush, detected in designs on praise,
We blush, caught in our attempts to seek praise,
Though for best deeds, and from the best of men:
Though for the best actions, and by the best of people:
And why? Because immortal. Art divine
And why? Because it's timeless. Art is divine.
Has made the body tutor to the soul;
Has trained the body to serve the soul;
Heaven kindly gives our blood a moral flow;
Heaven generously gives our blood a moral pulse;
Bids it ascend the glowing cheek, and there
Bids it rise on the glowing cheek, and there
Upbraid that little heart’s inglorious aim,
Upbraid that little heart's unglorious goal,
Which stoops to court a character from man; 350
Which lowers itself to win favor from a person;350
While o’er us, in tremendous judgment sit
While above us, a powerful judgment sits
Far more than man, with endless praise, and blame.
Far beyond humans, with endless praise and criticism.
Ambition’s boundless appetite outspeaks
Ambition's limitless drive speaks louder
The verdict of its shame. When souls take fire
The judgment of its shame. When souls ignite
At high presumptions of their own desert,
At a high opinion of their own worth,
One age is poor applause; the mighty shout,
One era gets little applause; the powerful cheer,
The thunder by the living few begun,
The thunder began with the few who are alive,
Late time must echo; worlds unborn resound.
Late time must echo; worlds unborn resound.
We wish our names eternally to live:
We want our names to live on forever:
Wild dream! which ne’er had haunted human thought,
Wild dream! that never haunted human thought,
Had not our natures been eternal too. 361
Had our natures not been eternal as well.361
Instinct points out an interest in hereafter;
Instinct shows a curiosity about what comes after.
But our blind reason sees not where it lies;
But our blind reason doesn’t see where it is;
Or, seeing, gives the substance for the shade.
Alternatively
Fame is the shade of immortality,
Fame is a glimpse of immortality,
And in itself a shadow. Soon as caught,
And it's just a shadow. As soon as it's caught,
Contemn’d; it shrinks to nothing in the grasp.
Contemptuous; it shrinks to nothing in the grip.
Consult th’ ambitious, ’tis ambition’s cure.
Consult the ambitious; it's the cure for ambition.
“And is this all?” cried Cæsar at his height,
“And is this all?” shouted Caesar at his peak,
Disgusted. This third proof Ambition brings 370
Disgusted. This third proof Ambition brings370
Of immortality. The first in fame.
Of immortality. The first in fame.
Observe him near, your envy will abate: 372
Observe him up close, and your envy will lessen:372
Shamed at the disproportion vast, between
Shamed at the huge difference, between
The passion and the purchase, he will sigh
The desire and the buy, he will sigh
At such success, and blush at his renown.
At such success, he would flush with pride at his fame.
And why? Because far richer prize invites
And why? Because a much more valuable prize awaits.
His heart; far more illustrious glory calls:
His heart; a much greater glory calls:
It calls in whispers, yet the deafest hear.
It speaks in whispers, yet even the deaf can hear it.
And can Ambition a fourth proof supply?
And can Ambition provide a fourth proof?
It can, and stronger than the former three; 380
It can be, and it’s stronger than the previous three;380
Yet quite o’erlook’d by some reputed wise.
Yet often overlooked by some who are considered wise.
Though disappointments in ambition pain,
Though setbacks in ambition hurt,
And though success disgusts; yet still, Lorenzo!
And even though success is annoying, still, Lorenzo!
In vain we strive to pluck it from our hearts;
In vain we try to pull it from our hearts;
By Nature planted for the noblest ends.
By nature intended for the highest purposes.
More praised, than ponder’d; specious, but unsound;
More praised than thought about; appealing, but not genuine;
Sooner that hero’s sword the world had quell’d,
Sooner that hero’s sword had calmed the world,
Than Reason, his ambition. Man must soar.
Than reason, his ambition. Man must rise.
An obstinate activity within, 390
A stubborn activity inside, 390
An insuppressive spring, will toss him up
An unstoppable spring will throw him up.
In spite of Fortune’s load. Not kings alone,
In spite of Fortune's burden. Not just kings,
Each villager has his ambition too;
Each villager has their ambition too;
No Sultan prouder than his fetter’d slave:
No Sultan is prouder than his chained slave:
Slaves build their little Babylons of straw,
Slaves build their small cities of straw,
Echo the proud Assyrian, in their hearts,
Echo the proud Assyrian, in their hearts,
And cry,—“Behold the wonders of my might!”
And shout, “Check out the amazing things I can do!”
And why? Because immortal as their lord;
And why? Because they are immortal like their lord;
And souls immortal must for ever heave
And immortal souls must always strive.
At something great; the glitter, or the gold; 400
At something amazing; the sparkle, or the gold;400
The praise of mortals, or the praise of Heaven.
The praise of people, or the praise of Heaven.
Nor absolutely vain is human praise,
Nor is human praise completely worthless,
When human is supported by divine.
When a person is backed by divine support.
I’ll introduce Lorenzo to himself; 404
I’ll introduce Lorenzo to himself;
Pleasure and Pride (bad masters!) share our hearts.
Pleasure and Pride (bad masters!) share our hearts.
As love of pleasure is ordain’d to guard
As the love of pleasure is meant to protect
And feed our bodies, and extend our race;
And nourish our bodies, and continue our lineage;
The love of praise is planted to protect,
The desire for praise is rooted to safeguard,
And propagate the glories of the mind.
And spread the achievements of the mind.
What is it, but the love of praise, inspires,
What is it, if not the desire for recognition, that motivates,
Matures, refines, embellishes, exalts,
Matures, refines, enhances, elevates,
Earth’s happiness? From that, the delicate, 412
Earth’s happiness? From that, the delicate,412
The grand, the marvellous, of civil life,
The grand and the marvelous aspects of civic life,
Want and convenience, underworkers, lay
Desire and convenience, workers, rest
The basis, on which love of glory builds.
The foundation on which the love of glory is built.
Nor is thy life, O Virtue! less in debt
Nor is your life, O Virtue! less in debt
To praise, thy secret stimulating friend.
To praise, your secret motivating friend.
Were men not proud, what merit should we miss!
Were men not proud, what value would we lack!
Pride made the virtues of the Pagan world.
Pride shaped the values of the Pagan world.
Praise is the salt that seasons right to man, 420
Praise is the spice that enhances what’s good in a person,420
And whets his appetite for moral good.
And sharpens his desire for doing the right thing.
Thirst of applause is Virtue’s second guard;
Thirst for applause is Virtue's second defense;
Reason, her first; but reason wants an aid;
Reason, her first; but reason needs support;
Our private reason is a flatterer;
Our personal reason is a smooth talker;
Thirst of applause calls public judgment in,
Thirst for applause brings in public judgment,
To poise our own, to keep an even scale,
To balance ourselves, to maintain an even scale,
And give endanger’d Virtue fairer play.
And give endangered virtue a better chance.
Here a fifth proof arises, stronger still:
Here a fifth proof comes up, even stronger:
Why this so nice construction of our hearts?
Why is this such a nice construction of our hearts?
These delicate moralities of sense; 430
These fragile moralities of feeling;
This constitutional reserve of aid
This constitutional backup of support
To succour virtue, when our reason fails;
To support virtue when our reason fails;
If virtue, kept alive by care and toil,
If virtue, sustained through effort and hard work,
And oft, the mark of injuries on earth,
And often, the signs of wounds on the earth,
When labour’d to maturity (its bill
When worked to perfection (its bill
Of disciplines, and pains, unpaid), must die?
Of disciplines and unpaid pains, must we all die?
Why freighted rich, to dash against a rock?
Why burdened with wealth, should one crash against a rock?
Were man to perish when most fit to live, 438
Were a person to die when they are most ready to live,438
O how misspent were all these stratagems,
O how wasted were all these plans,
By skill divine inwoven in our frame!
By divine skills woven into our being!
Where are Heaven’s holiness and mercy fled?
Where have Heaven’s holiness and mercy gone?
Laughs Heaven, at once, at Virtue, and at Man?
Laughs at Heaven, at Virtue, and at Humanity all at once?
If not, why that discouraged, this destroy’d?
If not, why feel discouraged, this destroyed?
Thus far Ambition. What says Avarice?
Thus far, Ambition. What does Avarice say?
This her chief maxim, which has long been thine:
This is her main principle, which has long been yours:
“The wise and wealthy are the same,”—I grant it.
“The wise and wealthy are the same,”—I agree with that.
To store up treasure with incessant toil,
To hoard wealth through endless hard work,
This is man’s province, this his highest praise.
This is man's domain, and this is his greatest honor.
To this great end keen Instinct stings him on.
To achieve this important goal, strong instincts drive him forward.
To guide that instinct, Reason! is thy charge; 450
To steer that instinct, Reason! is your task; 450
’Tis thine to tell us where true treasure lies:
It's up to you to tell us where true treasure is:
But, Reason failing to discharge her trust,
But, Reason failing to fulfill her duty,
Or to the deaf discharging it in vain,
Or to the deaf hearing it for no reason,
A blunder follows; and blind Industry,
A mistake happens; and clueless effort,
Gall’d by the spur, but stranger to the course
Gall'd by the spur, but unfamiliar with the path
(The course where stakes of more than gold are won),
(The course where more than just gold is at stake),
O’erloading, with the cares of distant age,
O'erloading, with the worries of distant age,
The jaded spirits of the present hour,
The weary souls of today,
Provides for an eternity below.
Offers an eternity below.
“Thou shalt not covet,” is a wise command; 460
“Do not be envious,” is a wise command;460
But bounded to the wealth the sun surveys:
But limited to the wealth that the sun looks over:
Look farther, the command stands quite reversed,
Look farther, the command is completely reversed,
And avarice is a virtue most divine.
And greed is a highly esteemed quality.
Is faith a refuge for our happiness?
Is faith a safe haven for our happiness?
Most sure: and is it not for reason too?
Most definitely: and isn't that for a reason as well?
Nothing this world unriddles, but the next.
Nothing in this world makes sense, but the next one will.
Whence inextinguishable thirst of gain?
Where does relentless thirst for gain come from?
From inextinguishable life in man.
From eternal life in humans.
Man, if not meant, by worth, to reach the skies,
Man, if not destined, by value, to reach the skies,
Had wanted wing to fly so far in guilt. 470
Had wanted to fly far away from the guilt. 470
Sour grapes, I grant, ambition, avarice,
Sour grapes, I admit, ambition, greed,
Yet still their root is immortality: 472
Yet still their root is immortality:472
These its wild growths so bitter, and so base,
These wild growths are so bitter and so low,
(Pain and reproach!) Religion can reclaim,
(Pain and reproach!) Religion can reclaim,
Refine, exalt, throw down their poisonous lee,
Refine, lift up, cast away their toxic waste,
And make them sparkle in the bowl of bliss.
And make them shine in the bowl of happiness.
See, the third witness laughs at bliss remote,
See, the third witness laughs at distant happiness,
And falsely promises an Eden here:
And wrongly promises a paradise here:
Truth she shall speak for once, though prone to lie,
Truth she will speak for once, even though she's likely to lie,
A common cheat, and Pleasure is her name. 480
A typical trickster, and her name is Pleasure.480
To Pleasure never was Lorenzo deaf;
To pleasure, Lorenzo was never deaf;
Then hear her now, now first thy real friend.
Then listen to her now, your true friend at last.
Since Nature made us not more fond than proud
Since Nature made us not more affectionate than proud
Of happiness (whence hypocrites in joy!
Of happiness (where hypocrites find joy!
Makers of mirth! artificers of smiles!),
Makers of joy! Creators of smiles!),
Why should the joy most poignant sense affords,
Why should the joy that the most intense feelings bring,
Burn us with blushes, and rebuke our pride?—
Burn us with embarrassment and challenge our pride?—
Those heaven-born blushes tell us man descends,
Those heavenly blushes tell us that man has fallen,
Even in the zenith of his earthly bliss:
Even at the peak of his happiness:
Should Reason take her infidel repose, 490
Should Reason take her unfaithful rest,490
This honest instinct speaks our lineage high;
This genuine instinct speaks to our lineage proudly;
This instinct calls on darkness to conceal
This instinct urges darkness to hide
Our rapturous relation to the stalls.
Our ecstatic connection to the stalls.
Our glory covers us with noble shame,
Our pride wraps us in dignified embarrassment,
And he that’s unconfounded, is unmann’d.
And someone who is unbothered is unmanly.
The man that blushes, is not quite a brute.
The man who blushes isn't completely a savage.
Thus far with thee, Lorenzo, will I close:
Thus far with you, Lorenzo, I'll finish:
Pleasure is good, and man for pleasure made;
Pleasure is good, and people were made for pleasure;
But pleasure full of glory, as of joy;
But pleasure filled with glory, just like joy;
Pleasure, which neither blushes, nor expires. 500
Pleasure that doesn't make you blush or fade away.500
The witnesses are heard; the cause is o’er;
The witnesses have spoken; the case is closed;
Let Conscience file the sentence in her court,
Let Conscience record the judgment in her court,
Dearer than deeds that half a realm convey;
Dearer than actions that could transfer half a kingdom;
Thus seal’d by Truth, th’ authentic record runs:
Thus sealed by Truth, the genuine record continues:
“Know all; know, infidels,—unapt to know!
“Know everything; understand this, nonbelievers—you're not ready to understand!”
’Tis immortality your nature solves; 506
It’s immortality your nature solves;
’Tis immortality deciphers man,
It’s immortality that defines man,
And opens all the mysteries of his make.
And reveals all the mysteries of his creation.
Without it, half his instincts are a riddle;
Without it, half of his instincts are a mystery;
Without it, all his virtues are a dream.
Without it, all his virtues are just a fantasy.
His very crimes attest his dignity;
His very crimes prove his dignity;
His sateless thirst of pleasure, gold, and fame,
His endless craving for pleasure, money, and fame,
Declares him born for blessings infinite: 513
Declares he was born for endless blessings:513
What less than infinite makes unabsurd
Finite things make sense.
Passions, which all on earth but more inflames?
Passions, which on earth ignites everyone even more?
Fierce passions, so mismeasured to this scene,
Fierce passions, so wrongly judged for this moment,
Stretch’d out, like eagles’ wings, beyond our nest,
Stretching out like the wings of eagles beyond our nest,
Far, far beyond the worth of all below,
Far, far beyond the value of everything below,
For earth too large, presage a nobler flight,
For the earth is too big, suggesting a greater journey,
And evidence our title to the skies.” 520
And prove our claim to the heavens.”520
Ye gentle theologues, of calmer kind!
You gentle theologians, of a calmer sort!
Whose constitution dictates to your pen,
Whose constitution guides your pen,
Who, cold yourselves, think ardour comes from hell!
Who, you cold ones, think passion comes from hell!
Think not our passions from Corruption sprung,
Think not that our passions come from corruption,
Though to Corruption now they lend their wings;
Though they now give their wings to Corruption;
That is their mistress, not their mother. All
That is their boss, not their mom. All
(And justly) Reason deem divine: I see,
(And justly) Reason deem divine: I see,
I feel a grandeur in the passions too,
I feel a greatness in the passions too,
Which speaks their high descent, and glorious end;
Which indicates their noble ancestry and remarkable fate;
Which speaks them rays of an eternal fire. 530
Which speaks to them the rays of an eternal fire.530
In Paradise itself they burn’d as strong,
In Paradise itself, they burned just as intensely,
Ere Adam fell; though wiser in their aim.
Ere Adam fell; though wiser in their goal.
What though our passions are run mad, and stoop
What if our passions are out of control and lower ourselves
With low, terrestrial appetite, to graze
With a low, earthly craving, to feed
On trash, on toys, dethroned from high desire?
On garbage, on playthings, knocked off their pedestal of high desire?
Yet still, through their disgrace, no feeble ray
Yet still, through their disgrace, no weak light
Of greatness shines, and tells us whence they fell:
Of greatness shines, and tells us where they fell:
But these (like that fallen monarch when reclaim’d), 539
But these (like that fallen monarch when reclaimed),539
When Reason moderates the rein aright,
When reason controls the reins properly,
Shall reascend, remount their former sphere,
Shall rise again, reclaim their former place,
Where once they soar’d illustrious; ere seduced
Where they once soared gloriously; before tempted
By wanton Eve’s debauch, to stroll on earth,
By reckless Eve's indulgence, to walk on earth,
And set the sublunary world on fire.
And set the world below the moon on fire.
But grant their phrensy lasts; their phrensy fails
But if you allow their frenzy to last; their frenzy will fade.
To disappoint one providential end,
To disappoint a destined purpose,
For which Heaven blew up ardour in our hearts:
For which heaven ignited passion in our hearts:
Were Reason silent, boundless Passion speaks
If Reason were quiet, limitless Passion takes over.
A future scene of boundless objects too,
A future scene filled with endless objects too,
And brings glad tidings of eternal day. 550
And brings happy news of endless day.550
Eternal day! ’tis that enlightens all;
Eternal day! It is that which brightens everything;
And all, by that enlighten’d, proves it sure.
And all, by that enlightened, proves it sure.
Consider man as an immortal being,
Consider man as an immortal being,
Intelligible all; and all is great;
Intelligible to all; and everything is great;
A crystalline transparency prevails,
A clear transparency prevails,
And strikes full lustre through the human sphere:
And shines brightly throughout the human world:
Consider man as mortal, all is dark,
Consider humanity as mortal, everything is bleak,
And wretched; Reason weeps at the survey.
And it's miserable; Reason cries at the sight.
The learn’d Lorenzo cries, “And let her weep,
The learned Lorenzo says, “And let her cry,
Weak, modern Reason: ancient times were wise. 560
Weak, modern Reason: ancient times were wise.560
Authority, that venerable guide,
Authority, the respected guide,
Stands on my part; the famed Athenian porch
Stands on my part; the famous Athenian porch
(And who for wisdom so renown’d as they?)
(And who is as famous for their wisdom as they are?)
Denied this immortality to man.”
Denied this immortality to humans.”
I grant it; but affirm, they proved it too.
I admit it; but I also affirm that they proved it too.
A riddle this!—have patience; I’ll explain.
A riddle this is!—be patient; I’ll explain.
What noble vanities, what moral flights,
What noble vanities, what moral aspirations,
Glittering through their romantic wisdom’s page,
Glittering through the pages of their romantic wisdom,
Make us at once despise them, and admire?
Make us both hate them and admire them at the same time?
Fable is flat to these high-season’d sires; 570
Fable doesn't compare to these seasoned fathers; 570
They leave th’ extravagance of song below.
They leave the extravagance of song behind.
“Flesh shall not feel; or, feeling, shall enjoy
“Flesh won't feel; or, if it does feel, it will enjoy.”
The dagger, or the rack; to them, alike 573
The dagger, or the rack; to them, both the same.
A bed of roses, or the burning bull.”
A bed of roses, or the burning bull.
In men exploding all beyond the grave,
In men bursting forth from beyond the grave,
Strange doctrine, this! As doctrine, it was strange;
Strange doctrine, this! It was strange as a doctrine;
But not, as prophecy; for such it proved,
But not like a prophecy; because that’s what it turned out to be,
And, to their own amazement, was fulfill’d:
And, to their surprise, it was fulfilled:
They feign’d a firmness Christians need not feign.
They pretended to have a strength that Christians don’t need to pretend.
The Christian truly triumph’d in the flame: 580
The Christian truly triumphed in the flame:580
The Stoic saw, in double wonder lost,
The Stoic was filled with double wonder, lost in thought,
Wonder at them, and wonder at himself,
Wonder at them, and wonder at himself,
To find the bold adventures of his thought
To discover the daring adventures of his thoughts
Not bold, and that he strove to lie in vain.
Not brave, and that he tried to deceive himself for nothing.
Whence, then, those thoughts? those towering thoughts, that flew
Whence, then, those thoughts? those towering thoughts, that flew
Such monstrous heights?—From instinct, and from pride.
Such monstrous heights?—From instinct and from pride.
The glorious instinct of a deathless soul,
The amazing instinct of an immortal soul,
Confusedly conscious of her dignity,
Awkwardly aware of her dignity,
Suggested truths they could not understand.
Suggested truths they couldn't grasp.
In Lust’s dominion, and in Passion’s storm, 590
In the realm of Lust and the chaos of Passion,590
Truth’s system broken, scatter’d fragments lay,
Truth's system is broken, scattered fragments lie,
As light in chaos, glimmering through the gloom:
As light in chaos, shining through the darkness:
Smit with the pomp of lofty sentiments,
Smitten by the grandeur of high thoughts,
Pleased Pride proclaim’d, what Reason disbelieved.
Proudly, Pride announced what Reason doubted.
Pride, like the Delphic priestess, with a swell,
Pride, like the Delphic priestess, with a swell,
Raved nonsense, destined to be future sense,
Ranted nonsense, meant to be future sense,
When life immortal, in full day, shall shine;
When life eternal, in broad daylight, will glow;
And death’s dark shadows fly the Gospel sun.
And death's dark shadows flee from the light of the Gospel.
They spoke, what nothing but immortal souls
They spoke, nothing but immortal souls
Could speak; and thus the truth they question’d, proved.
Could speak; and so the truth they questioned was proven.
Can then absurdities, as well as crimes, 601
Can then absurdities, as well as crimes,601
Speak man immortal? All things speak him so.
Speak man immortal? Everything speaks to him that way.
Much has been urged; and dost thou call for more?
Much has been said; do you ask for more?
Call; and with endless questions be distress’d,
Call; and be troubled with endless questions,
All unresolvable, if earth is all.
All unresolvable, if the earth is all.
“Why life, a moment; infinite, desire? 606
“Why is life just a moment; infinite, yet filled with desire?606
Our wish, eternity? Our home, the grave?
Our desire, eternity? Our resting place, the grave?
Heaven’s promise dormant lies in human hope;
Heaven's promise rests quietly in human hope;
Who wishes life immortal, proves it too.
Who wants to live forever needs to show it too.
Why happiness pursued, though never found?
Why chase happiness if it's never found?
Man’s thirst of happiness declares it is,
Man’s thirst for happiness shows that it is,
(For nature never gravitates to nought);
(For nature never leans toward nothing);
That thirst unquench’d declares it is not here. 613
That unquenchable thirst shows that it isn't here.613
My Lucia, thy Clarissa call to thought;
My Lucia, think of your Clarissa;
Why cordial friendship riveted so deep,
Why friendly bonds stuck so deeply,
As hearts to pierce at first, at parting, rend,
As hearts to pierce at first, at parting, tear,
If friend, and friendship, vanish in an hour?
If friends and friendship disappear in an hour?
Is not this torment in the mask of joy?
Isn't this suffering disguised as happiness?
Why by reflection marr’d the joys of sense?
Why do reflections ruin the pleasures of the senses?
Why past, and future, preying on our hearts, 620
Why do the past and future weigh on our hearts,620
And putting all our present joys to death?
And killing all our current joys?
Why labours Reason? Instinct were as well;
Why is reason better than instinct?
Instinct far better; what can choose, can err:
Instinct is way better; what can choose can make mistakes:
O how infallible the thoughtless brute!
Oh, how flawless the mindless animal!
’Twere well his Holiness were half as sure.
It would be good if his Holiness were half as sure.
Reason with inclination, why at war?
Reason with desire: why go to war?
Why sense of guilt? why Conscience up in arms?”
Why feel guilty? Why is our conscience in an uproar?
Conscience of guilt, is prophecy of pain,
Conscience of guilt is a prediction of pain,
And bosom-council to decline the blow.
And close friends to avoid the hit.
Reason with inclination ne’er had jarr’d, 630
Reason with inclination never had jarred,630
If nothing future paid forbearance here:
If nothing in the future compensates for patience here:
Thus on—these, and a thousand pleas uncall’d,
Thus on—these, and a thousand unrequested pleas,
All promise, some insure, a second scene;
All promise, some guarantee, a second scene;
Which, were it doubtful, would be dearer far
Which, if it were uncertain, would be much more valuable
Than all things else most certain; were it false,
Than everything else, this is the most certain; if it were false,
What truth on earth so precious as the lie?
What truth on earth is more valuable than a lie?
This world it gives us, let what will ensue;
This world it offers us, let whatever happens next;
This world it gives, in that high cordial, hope:
This world offers, in that deep warmth, hope:
The future of the present is the soul.
The future of today is the soul.
How this life groans, when sever’d from the next! 640
How this life struggles when separated from the next!640
Poor mutilated wretch, that disbelieves!
Poor mutilated wretch, that doubts!
By dark distrust his being cut in two,
By dark distrust, he felt torn in two,
In both parts perishes; life void of joy,
In both parts, life without joy ends;
Sad prelude of eternity in pain!
Sad introduction to a never-ending pain!
Couldst thou persuade me, the next life could fail
Could you convince me that the next life could fail?
Our ardent wishes; how should I pour out
Our intense desires; how should I express them
My bleeding heart in anguish, new, as deep!
My heart is aching, fresh and intense!
Oh! with what thoughts, thy hope, and my despair,
Oh! with what thoughts, your hope, and my despair,
Abhorr’d annihilation! blasts the soul,
Hated destruction! blasts the soul,
And wide extends the bounds of human woe! 650
And the limits of human sorrow are vast!650
Could I believe Lorenzo’s system true,
Could I trust that Lorenzo's system is true,
In this black channel would my ravings run:
In this dark channel would my thoughts flow:
“Grief from the future borrow’d peace, erewhile.
“Grief from the future borrowed peace, once.”
The future vanish’d! and the present pain’d!
The future is gone! And the present hurts!
Strange import of unprecedented ill!
Weird arrival of unprecedented trouble!
Fall, how profound! Like Lucifer’s, the fall!
Fall, how deep! Like Lucifer's, the fall!
Unequal fate! his fall, without his guilt!
Unequal fate! His downfall, and he wasn't to blame!
From where fond Hope built her pavilion high,
From where hopeful dreams built their lofty place,
The gods among, hurl’d headlong, hurl’d at once
The gods among us, thrown down, thrown all at once.
To night! to nothing! darker still than night. 660
To night! to nothing! even darker than night.660
If ’twas a dream, why wake me, my worst foe,
If it was a dream, why wake me, my greatest enemy,
Lorenzo! boastful of the name of friend?
Lorenzo! Are you really proud of being called a friend?
O for delusion! O for error still!
O for delusion! O for error still!
Could vengeance strike much stronger than to plant
Could vengeance hit harder than to plant
A thinking being in a world like this,
A thinking person in a world like this,
Not over-rich before, now beggar’d quite;
Not overly wealthy before, now completely broke;
More cursed than at the fall?—The sun goes out!
More cursed than at the fall?—The sun is gone!
The thorns shoot up! What thorns in every thought!
The thorns shoot up! What thorns in every thought!
Why sense of better? It embitters worse.
Why focus on the good? It only makes the bad feel worse.
Why sense? why life? If but to sigh, then sink 670
Why does it matter? Why live? If it's just to sigh and then fade away, then why bother?
To what I was! twice nothing! and much woe!
To what I was! twice nothing! and so much sadness!
Woe, from Heaven’s bounties! woe from what was wont
Woe, from Heaven's blessings! Woe from what used to be
To flatter most, high intellectual powers.
To impress most, high intellectual abilities.
Thought, virtue, knowledge!—blessings, by thy scheme,
Thought, virtue, knowledge! — blessings, by your plan,
All poison’d into pains. First, knowledge, once 675
All poisoned into pain. First, knowledge, once675
My soul’s ambition, now her greatest dread.
My soul’s goal is now her biggest fear.
To know myself, true wisdom?—No, to shun
To really know myself, is that true wisdom?—No, to avoid
That shocking science, parent of despair!
That shocking science, the source of despair!
Avert thy mirror: if I see, I die.
Avoid the mirror: if I see it, I'll die.
“Know my Creator! climb his bless’d abode
“Know my Creator! climb his blessed abode
By painful speculation, pierce the veil,
By painful pondering, break through the barrier,
Dive in his nature, read his attributes,
Dive into his nature, explore his qualities,
And gaze in admiration—on a foe, 683
And look in admiration—at an enemy,683
Obtruding life, withholding happiness!
Intrusive life, blocking happiness!
From the full rivers that surround his throne,
From the abundant rivers that flow around his throne,
Not letting fall one drop of joy on man;
Not letting a single drop of joy slip away from man;
Man gasping for one drop, that he might cease
Man gasping for a single drop, so that he could stop
To curse his birth, nor envy reptiles more!
To curse his birth, nor envy snakes more!
Ye sable clouds! ye darkest shades of night!
Ye sable clouds! ye darkest shades of night!
Hide him, for ever hide him, from my thought, 690
Hide him, keep him hidden from my mind,
Once all my comfort; source, and soul of joy!
Once my entire source of comfort and the essence of my happiness!
Now leagued with furies, and with thee,[36] against me.
Now allied with furies, and with you,[36] against me.
“Know his achievements? study his renown?
"Do you know about his achievements? Have you looked into his reputation?"
Contemplate this amazing universe,
Reflect on this incredible universe,
Dropp’d from his hand, with miracles replete!
Dropped from his hand, filled with miracles!
For what? ’Mid miracles of nobler name,
For what? Amid miracles of a grander name,
To find one miracle of misery?
To discover one miracle of suffering?
To find the being, which alone can know
To find the person who alone can understand
And praise his works, a blemish on his praise?
And can we really praise his works if there's something flawed in that praise?
Through nature’s ample range, in thought, to stroll, 700
Through the wide expanse of nature, to wander in thought,700
And start at man, the single mourner there,
And begin with the man, the only mourner there,
Breathing high hope, chain’d down to pangs, and death?
Breathing in high hopes, chained down by pain and death?
Knowing is suffering: and shall Virtue share
Knowing is suffering: and will Virtue share
The sigh of knowledge?—Virtue shares the sigh.
The sigh of knowledge?—Virtue feels that sigh too.
By straining up the steep of excellent,
By climbing up the steep slope of excellence,
By battles fought, and, from temptation won,
By battles fought, and, from temptation conquered,
What gains she, but the pang of seeing worth, 707
What does she gain, except the pain of recognizing value, 707
Angelic worth, soon shuffled in the dark
Angelic worth, soon mixed up in the dark
With every vice, and swept to brutal dust?
With every vice, and reduced to harsh dust?
Merit is madness; virtue is a crime;
Merit is crazy; virtue is wrong;
A crime to reason, if it costs us pain
A crime to think, if it brings us pain
Unpaid: what pain, amidst a thousand more,
Unpaid: what pain, among a thousand others,
To think the most abandon’d, after days 713
To think the most abandoned, after days713
Of triumph o’er their betters, find in death
Of victory over those who are better, find in death
As soft a pillow, nor make fouler clay!
As soft as a pillow, nor make dirt any worse!
“Duty! Religion!—these, our duty done,
“Responsibility! Faith!—these, our duty done,
Imply reward. Religion is mistake.
Imply reward. Religion is a mistake.
Duty!—there’s none, but to repel the cheat.
Duty!—there’s none, but to fight against the fraud.
Ye cheats, away! ye daughters of my pride!
You deceivers, get lost! you daughters of my pride!
Who feign yourselves the favourites of the skies: 720
Who pretend to be the favorites of the heavens:720
Ye towering hopes! abortive energies!
Oh, lofty hopes! wasted efforts!
That toss, and struggle, in my lying breast,
That toss and struggle in my chest,
To scale the skies, and build presumptions there,
To reach new heights and create expectations there,
As I were heir of an eternity.
As if I were the heir of eternity.
Vain, vain ambitions! trouble me no more.
Vain, vain ambitions! Leave me alone.
Why travel far in quest of sure defeat?
Why go far away in search of certain failure?
As bounded as my being, be my wish.
As limited as I am, so be my desire.
All is inverted; wisdom is a fool.
All is turned upside down; wisdom is foolishness.
Sense! take the rein; blind Passion! drive us on;
Sense! take the reins; blind Passion! push us forward;
And, Ignorance! befriend us on our way; 730
And, Ignorance! help us on our journey;730
Ye new, but truest patrons of our peace!
You new, but truest supporters of our peace!
Yes; give the pulse full empire; live the brute,
Yes; let the pulse take full control; live the animal,
Since, as the brute, we die. The sum of man,
Since, as the brute, we die. The sum of man,
Of godlike man! to revel, and to rot.
Of a godlike man! to indulge, and to decay.
“But not on equal terms with other brutes:
“But not on equal terms with other animals:
Their revels a more poignant relish yield,
Their festivities provide a more profound enjoyment,
And safer too; they never poisons choose.
And safer too; they never choose poisons.
Instinct, than reason, makes more wholesome meals,
Instinct, rather than reason, creates healthier meals,
And sends all-marring murmur far away.
And sends a damaging whisper far away.
For sensual life they best philosophize; 740
For a sensual life, they have the best philosophy; 740
Theirs, that serene, the sages sought in vain: 741
Theirs, that calmness, the wise looked for but couldn’t find:741
’Tis man alone expostulates with Heaven;
It’s only humans who argue with Heaven;
His all the power, and all the cause, to mourn.
He has all the power and all the reasons to grieve.
Shall human eyes alone dissolve in tears?
Shall only human eyes shed tears?
And bleed, in anguish, none but human hearts?
And bleed, in pain, only human hearts?
The wide-stretch’d realm of intellectual woe,
The vast expanse of mental suffering,
Surpassing sensual far, is all our own.
Surpassing sensuality is all ours.
In life so fatally distinguish’d, why
In life so dangerously distinctive, why
Cast in one lot, confounded, lump’d, in death?
Cast in one lot, confused, grouped together, in death?
“Ere yet in being, was mankind in guilt? 750
“Before even existing, was humanity already guilty?750
Why thunder’d this peculiar clause against us,
Why did this strange clause come down on us,
All-mortal, and all-wretched!—Have the skies
All-mortal and all-wretched! Have the skies
Reasons of state, their subjects may not scan,
Reasons of state, their subjects may not understand,
Nor humbly reason, when they sorely sigh?
Nor humbly reason, when they deeply sigh?
All-mortal, and all-wretched!—’Tis too much:
All-mortal and all-wretched! It's too much:
Unparallell’d in nature: ’tis too much
Unmatched in nature: it’s too much
On being unrequested at thy hands,
On not being asked by you,
Omnipotent! for I see nought but power.
All-powerful! For I see nothing but strength.
“And why see that? Why thought? To toil, and eat,
“And why see that? Why think? To work hard and eat,
Then make our bed in darkness, needs no thought. 760
Then make our bed in darkness, it doesn’t require any thought.760
What superfluities are reasoning souls!
What excesses are thoughtful people!
Oh give eternity! or thought destroy.
Oh, grant me eternity! Or let thought perish.
But without thought our curse were half unfelt;
But without thought, our curse would be only half felt;
Its blunted edge would spare the throbbing heart;
Its dull edge would spare the pounding heart;
And, therefore, ’tis bestow’d, I thank thee, Reason!
And so, I thank you, Reason, for this gift!
For aiding life’s too small calamities,
For helping with life’s minor troubles,
And giving being to the dread of Death.
And giving life to the fear of Death.
Such are thy bounties!—was it then too much
Such are your blessings!—was it then too much
For me, to trespass on the brutal rights?
For me, to violate the harsh rights?
Too much for Heaven to make one emmet more? 770
Too much for Heaven to create one more ant?770
Too much for chaos to permit my mass
Too much for chaos to allow my presence
A longer stay with essences unwrought,
A longer stay with raw essences,
Unfashion’d, untormented into man?
Unfashioned, untroubled into man?
Wretched preferment to this round of pains!
Wretched promotion to this circle of suffering!
Wretched capacity of phrensy, thought! 775
Wretched state of madness, thought! 775
Wretched capacity of dying, life!
Terrible ability to die, life!
Life, thought, worth, wisdom, all (O foul revolt!)
Life, thoughts, value, wisdom, all (Oh, what a terrible rebellion!)
Once friends to peace, gone over to the foe.
Once friends of peace, now turned to the enemy.
“Death, then, has changed his nature too: O Death!
“Death, then, has changed his nature too: O Death!
Come to my bosom, thou best gift of Heaven!
Come here, my greatest gift from Heaven!
Best friend of man! since man is man no more.
Best friend of man! since man is no longer truly human.
Why in this thorny wilderness so long,
Why have you been in this thorny wilderness for so long,
Since there’s no promised land’s ambrosial bower, 783
Since there’s no promised land’s sweet shelter,783
To pay me with its honey for my stings?
To reward me with its honey for my stings?
If needful to the selfish schemes of Heaven
If necessary for the selfish plans of Heaven
To sting us sore, why mock’d our misery?
To hurt us deeply, why did you make fun of our suffering?
Why this so sumptuous insult o’er our heads?
Why is this so lavishly insulting to us?
Why this illustrious canopy display’d?
Why is this impressive canopy displayed?
Why so magnificently lodged Despair?
Why is Despair so lodged?
At stated periods, sure returning, roll 790
At regular intervals, consistently coming back, roll790
These glorious orbs, that mortals may compute
These beautiful spheres that humans can measure
Their length of labours, and of pains; nor lose
Their duration of work and suffering; nor lose
Their misery’s full measure?—Smiles with flowers,
Their misery's full measure?—Smiles with flowers,
And fruits, promiscuous, ever-teeming earth,
And fruits, abundant, ever-teeming earth,
That man may languish in luxurious scenes,
That man can waste away in lavish environments,
And in an Eden mourn his wither’d joys?
And in a paradise mourn his faded joys?
Claim earth and skies man’s admiration, due
Claim earth and sky to earn man's admiration, because
For such delights! Blest animals! too wise
For such delights! Blessed animals! So clever
To wonder, and too happy to complain!
To be amazed and too happy to complain!
“Our doom decreed demands a mournful scene: 800
“Our fate is sealed, and it calls for a sad scene:800
Why not a dungeon dark, for the condemn’d?
Why not a dark dungeon for the condemned?
Why not the dragon’s subterranean den,
Why not the dragon’s underground lair,
For man to howl in? Why not his abode
For a man to howl in? Why not his home?
Of the same dismal colour with his fate?
Of the same gloomy color as his fate?
A Thebes, a Babylon, at vast expence
A Thebes, a Babylon, at great expense
Of time, toil, treasure, art, for owls and adders,
Of time, effort, money, creativity, for owls and snakes,
As congruous as, for man, this lofty dome,
As fitting as, for humanity, this grand dome,
Which prompts proud thought, and kindles high desire;
Which sparks proud thoughts and ignites strong desires;
If, from her humble chamber in the dust, 809
If, from her modest room in the dust,809
While proud thought swells, and high desire inflames,
While pride swells and ambition ignites,
The poor worm calls us for her inmates there;
The poor worm calls us for her inmates there;
And, round us, Death’s inexorable hand
And around us, Death’s unyielding grip
Draws the dark curtain close; undrawn no more.
Draws the dark curtain close; never to be opened again.
“Undrawn no more!—Behind the cloud of death,
“Undrawn no more!—Behind the cloud of death,
Once I beheld a sun; a sun which gilt
Once I saw a sun; a sun that gleamed
That sable cloud, and turn’d it all to gold:
That dark cloud, and turned it all to gold:
How the grave’s alter’d! fathomless, as hell!
How the grave has changed! It's unfathomable, like hell!
A real hell to those who dreamt of heaven.
A true nightmare for those who dreamed of paradise.
Annihilation! how it yawns before me!
Annihilation! How it opens up before me!
Next moment I may drop from thought, from sense, 820
Next moment I might lose my thoughts, my senses,820
The privilege of angels, and of worms,
The privilege of angels, and of worms,
An outcast from existence! and this spirit,
An outcast from existence! And this spirit,
This all-pervading, this all-conscious soul,
This all-encompassing, all-aware soul,
This particle of energy divine,
This divine energy particle,
Which travels nature, flies from star to star,
Which travels through nature, flying from star to star,
And visits gods, and emulates their powers,
And visits gods, and imitates their powers,
For ever is extinguish’d. Horror! death!
Forever is over. Horror! Death!
Death of that death I fearless once survey’d!—
Death of that death I once faced without fear!—
When horror universal shall descend,
When horror strikes universally,
And heaven’s dark concave urn all human race, 830
And the dark, curved vault of heaven all of humanity, 830
On that enormous, unrefunding tomb,
On that massive, unforgiving tomb,
How just this verse! this monumental sigh!”
How perfect is this line! This monumental sigh!
Beneath the lumber of demolish’d worlds,
Beneath the debris of destroyed worlds,
Deep in the rubbish of the general wreck,
Deep in the trash of the general wreck,
Swept ignominious to the common mass
Swept shamefully into the crowd
Of matter, never dignified with life,
Of matter, never given the honor of life,
Here lie proud rationals; the sons of heaven!
Here lie proud thinkers; the children of the heavens!
The lords of earth! the property of worms!
The rulers of the world! The possessions of worms!
Beings of yesterday, and no to-morrow!
Beings of the past, with no future!
Who lived in terror, and in pangs expired! 840
Who lived in fear, and in pain passed away!840
All gone to rot in chaos; or to make
All gone to waste in chaos; or to create
Their happy transit into blocks or brutes, 842
Their joyful transformation into blocks or beasts,842
Nor longer sully their Creator’s name.
No longer tarnish their Creator's name.
Lorenzo! hear, pause, ponder, and pronounce.
Lorenzo! Listen, stop, think, and speak.
Just is this history? If such is man,
Just is this history? If such is man,
Mankind’s historian, though divine, might weep.
Mankind’s historian, though divine, might weep.
And dares Lorenzo smile!—I know thee proud;
And Lorenzo dares to smile!—I know you're proud;
For once let Pride befriend thee; Pride looks pale
For once let Pride be your ally; Pride looks pale
At such a scene, and sighs for something more.
At that moment, they sighed for something more.
Amid thy boasts, presumptions, and displays, 850
Amid your bragging, overconfidence, and showiness,850
And art thou then a shadow? less than shade?
And are you then a shadow? Less than a shade?
A nothing? less than nothing? To have been,
A nothing? Less than nothing? To have existed,
And not to be, is lower than unborn.
And to not exist is worse than never having existed.
Art thou ambitious? Why then make the worm
Are you ambitious? Then why be like a worm?
Thine equal? Runs thy taste of pleasure high?
Your equal? Does your taste for pleasure run high?
Why patronise sure death of every joy?
Why support the guaranteed destruction of every joy?
Charm riches? Why choose beggary in the grave,
Charm riches? Why choose begging in the grave,
Of every hope a bankrupt! and for ever?
Of every hope a failure! And forever?
Ambition, pleasure, avarice, persuade thee
Ambition, pleasure, greed, entice you
To make that world of glory, rapture, wealth, 860
To create that world of glory, joy, and wealth,860
They lately proved,[37] the soul’s supreme desire.
They recently proved,[37] the soul’s greatest desire.
What art thou made of? Rather, how unmade?
What are you made of? Or rather, how are you unmade?
Great Nature’s master-appetite destroy’d!
Nature's great hunger destroyed!
Is endless life, and happiness, despised?
Is eternal life and happiness looked down upon?
Or both wish’d, here, where neither can be found?
Or both wished, here, where neither can be found?
Such man’s perverse, eternal war with Heaven!
Such a person's twisted, never-ending battle with Heaven!
Darest thou persist? And is there nought on earth
Dare you continue? And is there nothing on earth
But a long train of transitory forms,
But a long line of temporary forms,
Rising, and breaking, millions in an hour?
Rising and breaking, millions in an hour?
Bubbles of a fantastic deity, blown up 870
Bubbles of an amazing god, blown up870
In sport, and then in cruelty destroy’d?
In sports, and then destroyed in cruelty?
Oh! for what crime, unmerciful Lorenzo!
Oh! What a crime, ruthless Lorenzo!
Destroys thy scheme the whole of human race?
Does the entire human race destroy your plan?
Kind is fell Lucifer, compared to thee: 874
Kind is like cruel Lucifer, compared to you:874
Oh! spare this waste of being half divine;
Oh! spare this waste of being partly divine;
And vindicate th’ economy of Heaven.
And justify the plan of Heaven.
Heaven is all love; all joy in giving joy:
Heaven is all about love; it's all about the joy of spreading happiness.
It never had created, but to bless:
It was never meant to do anything but bless:
And shall it, then, strike off the list of life,
And will it then remove me from the list of life,
A being bless’d, or worthy so to be?
A being blessed, or deserving to be?
Heaven starts at an annihilating God.
Heaven begins with a powerful God.
Is that, all Nature starts at, thy desire? 882
Is that where all of Nature begins, with your desire?882
Art such a clod to wish thyself all clay?
Art such a fool to want yourself to be nothing but clay?
What is that dreadful wish?—The dying groan
What is that awful wish?—The dying groan
Of Nature, murder’d by the blackest guilt.
Of Nature, killed by the darkest guilt.
What deadly poison has thy nature drank?
What deadly poison has your nature consumed?
To Nature undebauch’d no shock so great;
To Nature untouched, no shock is so great;
Nature’s first wish is endless happiness;
Nature’s first wish is infinite happiness;
Annihilation is an after-thought,
Annihilation is a secondary thought,
A monstrous wish, unborn till virtue dies. 890
A monstrous desire, never realized until goodness fades.890
And, oh! what depth of horror lies enclosed!
And, wow! what a deep horror is contained here!
For non-existence no man ever wish’d,
For non-existence, no man ever wished,
But, first, he wish’d the Deity destroy’d.
But first, he wished for the deity to be destroyed.
If so; what words are dark enough to draw
If so, what words are dark enough to convey
Thy picture true? The darkest are too fair.
Your picture is real? The darkest ones are too beautiful.
Beneath what baleful planet, in what hour
Beneath what evil planet, at what hour
Of desperation, by what fury’s aid,
Of desperation, with the help of what rage,
In what infernal posture of the soul,
In what hellish state of the soul,
All hell invited, and all hell in joy
All hell welcomed, and all hell with joy
At such a birth, a birth so near of kin, 900
At such a birth, a birth so close to home,900
Did thy foul fancy whelp so black a scheme
Did your twisted imagination come up with such a dark plan?
Of hopes abortive, faculties half-blown,
Of unfulfilled hopes, talents untested,
And deities begun, reduced to dust?
And the gods began, turned to dust?
There’s nought (thou say’st) but one eternal flux
There’s nothing (you say) but one constant change.
Of feeble essences, tumultuous driven
Of weak substances, wildly driven
Through Time’s rough billows into Night’s abyss.
Through Time’s rough waves into Night’s darkness.
Say, in this rapid tide of human ruin,
Say, in this fast-moving wave of human destruction,
Is there no rock, on which man’s tossing thought 908
Is there no solid ground where man's restless thoughts
Can rest from terror, dare his fate survey,
Can he rest from fear, daring to face his fate,
And boldly think it something to be born?
And confidently consider it something to be born?
Amid such hourly wrecks of being fair,
Amid such constant destruction of beauty,
Is there no central, all-sustaining base,
Is there no central, all-supporting foundation,
All-realising, all-connecting power,
Universal, interconnected power,
Which, as it call’d forth all things, can recall,
Which, as it brought everything to existence, can bring back,
And force Destruction to refund her spoil?
And make Destruction give back what she took?
Command the grave restore her taken prey?
Command the grave to bring back what it took?
Bid death’s dark vale its human harvest yield,
Bid death's dark valley yield its human harvest,
And earth, and ocean, pay their debt of man,
And the earth and ocean fulfill their obligation to humanity,
True to the grand deposit trusted there?
True to the great deposit entrusted there?
Is there no potentate, whose outstretch’d arm, 920
Is there no ruler, whose outstretched arm,920
When ripening time calls forth th’ appointed hour,
When it's time to ripen, the hour has come,
Pluck’d from foul Devastation’s famish’d maw,
Plucked from the hungry jaws of devastating destruction,
Binds present, past, and future, to his throne?
Binds the present, past, and future to his throne?
His throne, how glorious, thus divinely graced,
His throne, how glorious, so divinely blessed,
By germinating beings clustering round!
By germinating beings gathering around!
A garland worthy the divinity!
A garland fit for a goddess!
A throne, by Heaven’s omnipotence in smiles,
A throne, by Heaven’s power in smiles,
Built (like a Pharos towering in the waves)
Built (like a lighthouse towering in the waves)
Amidst immense effusions of his love!
Amidst huge expressions of his love!
An ocean of communicated bliss! 930
A sea of shared happiness! 930
An all-prolific, all-preserving God!
A God who is all-providing and all-protecting!
This were a God indeed.—And such is man,
This was truly a god. —And that is what man is,
As here presumed: he rises from his fall.
As assumed here: he gets back up after his fall.
Think’st thou Omnipotence a naked root,
Think you Omnipotence a bare root,
Each blossom fair of Deity destroy’d?
Each beautiful blossom of God destroyed?
Nothing is dead; nay, nothing sleeps; each soul,
Nothing is dead; no, nothing sleeps; every soul,
That ever animated human clay,
That ever-lively human clay,
Now wakes; is on the wing: and where, oh! where,
Now wakes; is on the move: and where, oh! where,
Will the swarm settle?—When the trumpet’s call,
Will the swarm settle?—When the trumpet’s call,
As sounding brass, collects us, round Heaven’s throne
As sounding brass, gathers us around Heaven’s throne
Conglobed, we bask in everlasting day, 941
Gathered, we enjoy endless daylight, 941
(Paternal splendour!) and adhere for ever. 942
(Paternal splendor!) and stick together forever.942
Had not the soul this outlet to the skies,
Had the soul not had this way to the skies,
In this vast vessel of the universe,
In this huge ship of the universe,
How should we gasp, as in an empty void!
How should we react, as if in an empty void!
How in the pangs of famish’d hope expire?
How do we let our hungry hopes fade away?
How bright my prospect shines! how gloomy, thine!
How bright my future looks! How dark yours is!
A trembling world! and a devouring God!
A shaking world! And a consuming God!
Earth, but the shambles of Omnipotence!
Earth, but the mess of all-powerfulness!
Heaven’s face all stain’d with causeless massacres 950
Heaven’s face all stained with pointless massacres950
Of countless millions, born to feel the pang
Of countless millions, born to feel the pain
Of being lost. Lorenzo! can it be?
Of being lost. Lorenzo! Could it be?
This bids us shudder at the thoughts of life.
This makes us shudder at the thought of life.
Who would be born to such a phantom world,
Who would be born into such a ghostly world,
Where nought substantial but our misery?
Where is there anything real except our suffering?
Where joy (if joy) but heightens our distress,
Where joy (if it is joy) just increases our distress,
So soon to perish, and revive no more?
So soon to die and never come back?
The greater such a joy, the more it pains.
The greater the joy, the greater the pain.
A world, so far from great, (and yet how great
A world that’s not so great, (and yet how great
It shines to thee!) there’s nothing real in it; 960
It shines for you!) there's nothing real in it;960
Being, a shadow; consciousness, a dream!
Being, a shadow; awareness, a dream!
A dream, how dreadful! universal blank
A dream, how terrible! a complete emptiness
Before it, and behind! Poor man, a spark
Before it, and behind! Poor man, a spark
From non-existence struck by wrath divine,
From nothingness, hit by divine anger,
Glittering a moment, nor that moment sure,
Glittering for a moment, but that moment isn't guaranteed,
’Midst upper, nether, and surrounding night,
’Midst upper, nether, and surrounding night,
His sad, sure, sudden, and eternal tomb!
His sad, certain, sudden, and everlasting grave!
Lorenzo! dost thou feel these arguments?
Lorenzo! Do you understand these arguments?
Or is there nought but vengeance can be felt?
Or is there nothing but revenge that can be felt?
How hast thou dared the Deity dethrone? 970
How did you dare to dethrone the Deity?970
How dared indict Him of a world like this?
How could anyone accuse Him in a world like this?
If such the world, creation was a crime;
If that's the world, then creation was a crime;
For what is crime, but cause of misery?
For what is crime, if not a source of suffering?
Retract, blasphemer! and unriddle this,
Retract, blasphemer! and solve this,
Of endless arguments above, below,
Of endless arguments above and below,
Without us, and within, the short result— 976
Without us, and within, the brief outcome—976
“If man’s immortal, there’s a God in heaven.”
“If man is immortal, then there’s a God in heaven.”
But wherefore such redundancy? such waste
But why such redundancy? Such waste?
Of argument? One sets my soul at rest!
Of argument? That puts my mind at ease!
One obvious, and at hand, and, oh!—at heart.
One obvious thing, right in front of us, and, oh!—deeply felt.
So just the skies, Philander’s life so pain’d,
So just the skies, Philander’s life was so painful,
His heart so pure; that, or succeeding scenes
His heart is so pure; that, or the following scenes
Have palms to give, or ne’er had he been born. 983
Have palms to give, or he would never have been born.983
“What an old tale is this!” Lorenzo cries.—
“What an old story this is!” Lorenzo exclaims.—
I grant this argument is old; but truth
I admit this argument is old, but the truth
No years impair; and had not this been true,
No years diminish; and if this weren't true,
Thou never hadst despised it for its age.
You never had despised it for its age.
Truth is immortal as thy soul; and fable
Truth is as immortal as your soul; and fable
As fleeting as thy joys: be wise, nor make
As fleeting as your joys: be wise, and don't make
Heaven’s highest blessing, vengeance; oh, be wise! 990
Heaven's greatest blessing, revenge; oh, be smart!990
Nor make a curse of immortality.
Nor turn immortality into a curse.
Say, know’st thou what it is, or what thou art?
Say, do you know what it is, or who you are?
Know’st thou th’ importance of a soul immortal?
Do you know the importance of an immortal soul?
Behold this midnight glory: worlds on worlds!
Behold this midnight wonder: worlds upon worlds!
Amazing pomp! redouble this amaze;
Awesome spectacle! Amplify this awe;
Ten thousand add; add twice ten thousand more;
Ten thousand plus; plus twenty thousand more;
Then weigh the whole; one soul outweighs them all;
Then consider the total; one soul is more valuable than all of them combined;
And calls th’ astonishing magnificence
And calls the amazing magnificence
Of unintelligent creation, poor.
Of poor, unintelligent creation.
For this, believe not me; no man believe: 1000
For this, don’t believe me; don’t believe anyone: 1000
Trust not in words, but deeds; and deeds no less
Trust not in words, but in actions; and actions are equally important.
Than those of the Supreme; nor His, a few;
Than those of the Supreme; nor His, a few;
Consult them all; consulted, all proclaim
Consult them all; consulted, everyone proclaims
Thy soul’s importance: tremble at thyself;
Your soul's importance: be in awe of yourself;
For whom Omnipotence has waked so long:
For whom Omnipotence has been awake for so long:
Has waked, and work’d, for ages; from the birth
Has awakened and worked for ages; since the birth
Of Nature to this unbelieving hour.
Of Nature to this doubting moment.
In this small province of His vast domain
In this small province of His vast domain
(All nature bow, while I pronounce His Name!)
(All nature bows, while I say His Name!)
What has God done, and not for this sole end, 1010
What has God done, and not just for this one purpose,1010
To rescue souls from death? The soul’s high price
To save souls from dying? The soul’s great value
Is writ in all the conduct of the skies.
Is written in all the movements of the skies.
The soul’s high price is the creation’s key,
The soul's high price is the key to creation,
Unlocks its mysteries, and naked lays
Unlocks its mysteries and lays bare
The genuine cause of every deed divine:
The true reason behind every divine act:
That is the chain of ages, which maintains
That is the chain of ages, which maintains
Their obvious correspondence, and unites
Their clear connection, and combines
Most distant periods in one bless’d design:
Most distant times in one blessed plan:
That is the mighty hinge, on which have turn’d
That is the powerful hinge on which have turned
All revolutions, whether we regard 1020
All revolutions, whether we consider
The natural, civil, or religious, world;
The natural, civil, or religious world;
The former two but servants to the third:
The first two are just servants to the third:
To that their duty done, they both expire,
To that, their duty completed, they both die,
Their mass new-cast, forgot their deeds renown’d;
Their public broadcast forgot their famous deeds;
And angels ask, “Where once they shone so fair?”
And angels ask, “Where did they shine so brightly?”
To lift us from this abject, to sublime;
To raise us from this low point to greatness;
This flux, to permanent; this dark, to day;
This flow, to permanent; this darkness, to day;
This foul, to pure; this turbid, to serene;
This dirty thing, to clean; this muddy thing, to clear;
This mean, to mighty!—for this glorious end
This means, to greatness!—for this incredible purpose
Th’ Almighty, rising, his long Sabbath broke! 1030
Th' Almighty, rising, broke his long rest!1030
The world was made; was ruin’d; was restored;
The world was created; was destroyed; was brought back.
Laws from the skies were publish’d; were repeal’d;
Laws from the skies were published; were repealed;
On earth, kings, kingdoms, rose; kings, kingdoms, fell;
On earth, kings and kingdoms rose; kings and kingdoms fell;
Famed sages lighted up the Pagan world;
Famous wise people illuminated the Pagan world;
Prophets from Sion darted a keen glance
Prophets from Zion shot a sharp look
Through distant age; saints travell’d; martyrs bled;
Through the ages, saints traveled, and martyrs sacrificed.
By wonders sacred nature stood controll’d;
By wonders, sacred nature was under control;
The living were translated; dead were raised;
The living were transformed; the dead were brought back to life;
Angels, and more than angels, came from heaven;
Angels, and even more than angels, came from heaven;
And, oh! for this, descended lower still; 1040
And, oh! for this, went down even lower;
Guilt was hell’s gloom; astonish’d at his guest,
Guilt was like the darkness of hell; surprised by his visitor,
For one short moment Lucifer adored:
For a brief moment, Lucifer was filled with love:
Lorenzo! and wilt thou do less?—For this,
Lorenzo! will you do any less?—For this,
That hallow’d page, fools scoff at, was inspired, 1044
That sacred page, which fools mock, was inspired,1044
Of all these truths thrice venerable code!
Of all these truths, three times honored code!
Deists! perform your quarantine; and then
Deists! do your quarantine; and then
Fall prostrate, ere you touch it, lest you die.
Fall down before you touch it, or you’ll die.
Nor less intensely bent infernal powers
Nor less intensely focused infernal powers
To mar, than those of light, this end to gain.
To spoil, more than those of light, this goal to achieve.
Oh, what a scene is here!—Lorenzo, wake!
Oh, what a scene we have here!—Lorenzo, wake up!
Rise to the thought; exert, expand thy soul
Rise to the thought; exert, expand your soul
To take the vast idea: it denies 1052
To take the vast idea: it denies1052
All else the name of great. Two warring worlds!
All else, the name is great. Two warring worlds!
Not Europe against Afric; warring worlds!
Not Europe versus Africa; clashing worlds!
Of more than mortal! mounted on the wing!
Of more than mortal! soars through the sky!
On ardent wings of energy, and zeal,
On passionate wings of energy and enthusiasm,
High hovering o’er this little brand of strife!
High hovering over this small patch of conflict!
This sublunary ball—but strife, for what?
This world we live in—it's all about conflict, but for what reason?
In their own cause conflicting? No; in thine,
In their own interest, conflicting? No; in yours,
In Man’s. His single interest blows the flame; 1060
In Man's. His one focus fuels the fire;1060
His the sole stake; his fate the trumpet sounds,
His only stake; his fate is declared.
Which kindles war immortal. How it burns!
Which ignites eternal war. How fiercely it burns!
Tumultuous swarms of deities in arms!
Tumultuous crowds of gods ready for battle!
Force, force opposing, till the waves run high,
Force, opposing force, until the waves rise high,
And tempest nature’s universal sphere.
And storm nature’s global realm.
Such opposites eternal, steadfast, stern,
Such eternal opposites, steadfast and stern,
Such foes implacable, are Good, and Ill;
Such relentless enemies are Good and Evil;
Yet man, vain man, would mediate peace between them.
Yet man, vain man, would try to negotiate peace between them.
Think not this fiction, “There was war in heaven.”
Think not this fiction, “There was a war in heaven.”
From heaven’s high crystal mountain, where it hung,
From the high crystal mountain in heaven, where it hung,
Th’ Almighty’s outstretch’d arm took down his bow, 1071
Th’ Almighty's outstretched arm put down his bow,1071
And shot his indignation at the deep:
And directed his anger at the deep:
Re-thunder’d hell, and darted all her fires.—
Re-thundered hell, and unleashed all her fires.
And seems the stake of little moment still?
And does it still seem like the stake is of little importance?
And slumbers man, who singly caused the storm?
And here lies the man who alone caused the storm?
He sleeps.—And art thou shock’d at mysteries?
He’s sleeping.—Are you shocked by mysteries?
The greatest, thou. How dreadful to reflect,
The greatest, you. How terrible to think,
What ardour, care, and counsel, mortals cause 1078
What passion, concern, and advice, humans create1078
In breasts divine! how little in their own!
In beautiful breasts! how little they possess on their own!
Where’er I turn, how new proofs pour upon me!
Wherever I look, how many new signs come at me!
How happily this wondrous view supports
How happily this amazing view supports
My former argument! How strongly strikes
My previous point! How strongly it hits
Immortal life’s full demonstration, here!
Immortal life fully demonstrated, here!
Why this exertion? Why this strange regard
Why this effort? Why this unusual concern?
From heaven’s Omnipotent indulged to man?—
From heaven's all-powerful gift to man?—
Because, in man, the glorious dreadful power,
Because, in man, the amazing yet terrifying power,
Extremely to be pain’d, or bless’d, for ever.
Extremely to be in pain, or blessed, forever.
Duration gives importance; swells the price
Duration adds value; increases the cost.
An angel, if a creature of a day,
An angel, if a being of a day,
What would he be? a trifle of no weight; 1090
What would he be? A meaningless little thing; 1090
Or stand, or fall; no matter which; he’s gone.
Or stand or fall; it doesn't matter which; he's gone.
Because immortal, therefore is indulged
Because it's immortal, it's indulged
This strange regard of deities to dust.
This odd way that gods look at dust.
Hence, Heaven looks down on earth with all her eyes;
Hence, Heaven looks down on Earth with all her eyes;
Hence, the soul’s mighty moment in her sight:
Hence, the soul's powerful moment in her view:
Hence, every soul has partisans above,
Hence, every soul has supporters above,
And every thought a critic in the skies:
And every thought a judge up in the sky:
Hence, clay, vile clay! has angels for its guard,
Hence, clay, worthless clay! has angels watching over it,
And every guard a passion for his charge:
And every guard has a strong sense of duty towards his responsibility:
Hence, from all age, the cabinet divine 1100
Hence, throughout all ages, the divine cabinet
Has held high counsel o’er the fate of man.
Has given important advice about the fate of humankind.
Nor have the clouds those gracious counsels hid,
Nor have the clouds hidden those kind thoughts,
Angels undrew the curtain of the throne,
Angels pulled back the curtain of the throne,
And Providence came forth to meet mankind:
And Providence came forward to meet humanity:
In various modes of emphasis and awe,
In different ways of highlighting and expressing amazement,
He spoke his will, and trembling Nature heard;
He expressed his desire, and trembling Nature listened;
He spoke it loud, in thunder and in storm.
He said it loudly, with thunder and storms.
Witness, thou Sinai! whose cloud-cover’d height,
Witness, you Sinai! whose cloud-covered peak,
And shaken basis, own’d the present God:
And on shaky ground, acknowledged the current God:
Witness, ye billows! whose returning tide, 1110
Witness, you waves! whose returning tide,1110
Breaking the chain that fasten’d it in air,
Breaking the chain that held it in the air,
Swept Egypt, and her menaces, to hell: 1112
Swept Egypt and its threats away: 1112
Witness, ye flames! th’ Assyrian tyrant blew
Witness, you flames! The Assyrian tyrant blew
To sevenfold rage, as impotent, as strong:
To rage seven times, as powerless, as powerful:
And thou, earth! witness, whose expanding jaws
And you, earth! bear witness, whose widening jaws
Has not each element, in turn, subscribed
Hasn’t each element, in turn, signed up
The soul’s high price, and sworn it to the wise?
The soul’s high price, and pledged it to the wise?
Has not flame, ocean, ether, earthquake, strove
Has not fire, ocean, air, earthquake, fought
To strike this truth, through adamantine man? 1120
To reach this truth, through unyielding man?1120
If not all-adamant, Lorenzo! hear;
If not all-in, Lorenzo! listen;
All is delusion; Nature is wrapt up,
All is an illusion; Nature is wrapped up,
In tenfold night, from Reason’s keenest eye;
In tenfold darkness, from Reason's sharpest gaze;
There’s no consistence, meaning, plan, or end,
There’s no consistency, meaning, plan, or end,
In all beneath the sun, in all above
In everything under the sun, in everything above
(As far as man can penetrate), or heaven
(As far as man can reach), or heaven
Is an immense, inestimable prize;
Is a huge, priceless prize;
Or all is nothing, or that prize is all.—
Or everything is nothing, or that prize is everything.—
And shall each toy be still a match for Heaven,
And will every toy still be a match for Heaven,
And full equivalent for groans below? 1130
And what’s a complete equivalent for the groans down here?1130
Who would not give a trifle to prevent
Who wouldn’t give a little something to stop
What he would give a thousand worlds to cure?
What would he give a thousand worlds to heal?
Lorenzo! thou hast seen (if thine to see)
Lorenzo! you have seen (if you are meant to see)
All nature, and her God (by nature’s course,
All of nature, and her God (through nature’s course,
And nature’s course controll’d), declare for me:
And nature's path controlled), speak for me:
The skies above proclaim, “Immortal man!”
The skies above shout, “Immortal man!”
And, “Man immortal!” all below resounds.
And, "Man is immortal!" echoes all around.
The world’s a system of theology,
The world is a system of beliefs.
Read by the greatest strangers to the schools:
Read by the most unfamiliar people in the schools:
If honest, learn’d; and sages o’er a plough. 1140
If they are honest, knowledgeable, and wise even while working hard in the fields.1140
Is not, Lorenzo, then, imposed on thee
Isn't it, Lorenzo, then, forced upon you?
This hard alternative; or, to renounce
This tough choice; or, to give up
Thy reason, or thy sense; or, to believe?
Your reason, or your mind; or, to believe?
What then is unbelief? ’Tis an exploit;
What is unbelief? It’s an act;
A strenuous enterprise: to gain it, man 1145
A tough task: to achieve it, man1145
Must burst through every bar of common sense,
Must break through every barrier of common sense,
Of common shame, magnanimously wrong:
Common shame, generously mistaken:
And what rewards the sturdy combatant?
And what rewards does the strong fighter get?
His prize, repentance; infamy, his crown.
His reward is regret; his fame is shame.
But wherefore infamy?—For want of faith,
But why the disgrace?—Because of a lack of faith,
Down the steep precipice of wrong he slides;
Down the steep edge of wrongdoing he slips;
There’s nothing to support him in the right. 1152
There’s nothing backing him up on the right.1152
Faith in the future wanting, is, at least
Faith in a lacking future is, at least
In embryo, every weakness, every guilt;
In its early stages, every weakness, every fault;
And strong temptation ripens it to birth.
And intense temptation brings it to life.
If this life’s gain invites him to the deed,
If the benefits of this life encourage him to act,
Why not his country sold, his father slain?
Why not sold his country, his father killed?
’Tis virtue to pursue our good supreme;
It is virtuous to pursue our highest good;
And his supreme, his only good, is here.
And his ultimate, his only good, is right here.
Ambition, avarice, by the wise disdain’d, 1160
Ambition and greed are scorned by the wise.1160
Is perfect wisdom, while mankind are fools,
Is perfect wisdom, while mankind are fools,
And think a turf, or tombstone, covers all:
And think a patch of grass, or a tombstone, hides everything:
These find employment, and provide for Sense
These find jobs and take care of Sense.
A richer pasture, and a larger range;
A better pasture and a bigger area;
And Sense by right divine ascends the throne,
And Sense, by divine right, takes the throne,
When Virtue’s prize and prospect are no more;
When the reward and promise of virtue are gone;
Virtue no more we think the will of Heaven.
Virtue is no longer something we consider to be the will of Heaven.
Would Heaven quite beggar Virtue, if beloved?
Would heaven really ruin virtue if it was loved?
“Has Virtue charms?”—I grant her heavenly fair;
“Does Virtue have charms?”—I say she’s stunningly beautiful;
But if unportion’d, all will Interest wed; 1170
But if not divided, everything will be tied to interest;1170
Though that our admiration, this our choice.
Though this is our admiration, this is our choice.
The virtues grow on immortality;
The virtues thrive in eternity;
That root destroy’d, they wither and expire.
That root destroyed, they fade and die.
A Deity believed, will nought avail;
A believed Deity will be of no help;
Rewards and punishments make God adored;
Rewards and punishments make people worship God;
And hopes and fears give Conscience all her power.
And hopes and fears give conscience all her strength.
As in the dying parent dies the child,
As a dying parent passes away, so does the child.
Virtue, with immortality, expires.
Virtue, along with immortality, fades.
Who tells me he denies his soul immortal, 1179
Who tells me he denies that his soul is immortal,1179
Whate’er his boast, has told me, he’s a knave.
Whatever his bragging, he has told me that he’s a con artist.
His duty ’tis, to love himself alone;
His duty is to love only himself;
Nor care though mankind perish, if he smiles.
Nor care if humanity falls apart, as long as he smiles.
Who thinks ere long the man shall wholly die,
Who believes that soon the man will completely die,
Is dead already; nought but brute survives.
Is already dead; nothing but the beast remains.
And are there such?—Such candidates there are
And are there really such candidates? Yes, there are.
For more than death; for utter loss of being,
For more than just death; for the complete loss of existence,
Being, the basis of the Deity!
Being, the essence of God!
Ask you the cause?—The cause they will not tell:
Ask you why?—They won’t say the reason:
Nor need they: oh the sorceries of Sense!
Nor do they need to: oh the magic of perception!
They work this transformation on the soul; 1190
They change the soul; 1190
Dismount her, like the serpent at the fall,
Dismount her, like the serpent at the fall,
Dismount her from her native wing (which soar’d
Dismount her from her native wing (which soared
Erewhile ethereal heights), and throw her down,
Ethereal heights), and throw her down,
To lick the dust, and crawl in such a thought.
To lick the dirt and dwell on such a thought.
Is it in words to paint you? O ye fallen!
Is it possible to describe you with words? Oh, you who have fallen!
Fallen from the wings of Reason, and of Hope!
Fallen from the wings of Reason and Hope!
Erect in stature, prone in appetite!
Erect in stature, eager in appetite!
Patrons of pleasure, posting into pain!
Patrons of pleasure, diving into pain!
Lovers of argument, averse to sense!
Lovers of debate, opposed to reason!
Boasters of liberty, fast bound in chains! 1200
Boasters of freedom, tightly bound in chains!1200
Lords of the wide creation, and the shame!
Lords of the vast creation, and the disgrace!
More senseless than th’ irrationals you scorn!
More senseless than the irrational people you look down on!
More base than those you rule! than those you pity,
More lowly than those you control! Than those you feel sorry for,
Far more undone! O ye most infamous
Far more undone! Oh you, most infamous
Of beings, from superior dignity!
Of beings, of higher status!
Deepest in woe, from means of boundless bliss!
Deepest in sorrow, from endless joy!
Ye cursed by blessings infinite! because
Ye cursed by blessings infinite! because
Most highly favour’d, most profoundly lost!
Most favored, most profoundly lost!
Ye motley mass of contradiction strong!
You diverse mix of contradictions, strong!
And are you, too, convinced, your souls fly off 1210
And are you, too, convinced that your souls take off?
In exhalation soft, and die in air,
In a gentle breath, and fade away into the air,
From the full flood of evidence against you?
From all the overwhelming evidence against you?
In the coarse drudgeries, and sinks of Sense, 1213
In the rough daily grind and depths of feeling,1213
Your souls have quite worn out the make of Heaven,
Your souls have really worn out the design of Heaven,
By vice new-cast, and creatures of your own:
By the vice of your own creation, and the beings you’ve made:
But though you can deform, you can’t destroy;
But even though you can change things, you can’t completely erase them;
To curse, not uncreate, is all your power.
To curse, not to create, is all your power.
Lorenzo! this black brotherhood renounce;
Lorenzo! this black brotherhood renounces;
Renounce St Evremont, and read St Paul.
Renounce St. Evremont and read St. Paul.
Ere rapt by miracle, by Reason wing’d, 1220
Ere caught by a miracle, lifted by Reason,
His mounting mind made long abode in heaven.
His elevated thoughts lingered in heaven.
This is freethinking, unconfined to parts,
This is free thinking, not limited to sections,
To send the soul, on curious travel bent,
To send the soul on a curious journey,
Through all the provinces of human thought;
Through all the areas of human thought;
To dart her flight, through the whole sphere of man;
To quickly make her way through the entire world of humanity;
Of this vast universe to make the tour;
Of this vast universe to explore;
In each recess of space, and time, at home;
In every corner of space and time, at home;
Familiar with their wonders; diving deep;
Familiar with their wonders; diving deep;
And, like a prince of boundless interests there,
And, like a prince with endless interests there,
Still most ambitious of the most remote; 1230
Still the most ambitious of the most distant; 1230
To look on truth unbroken, and entire;
To see the truth clearly and completely;
Truth in the system, the full orb; where truths
Truth in the system, the full orb; where truths
By truths enlighten’d, and sustain’d, afford
By truths that enlighten and support, provide
An arch-like, strong foundation, to support
An arch-like, strong foundation, to support
Th’ incumbent weight of absolute, complete
Th’ incumbent weight of absolute, complete
Conviction; here, the more we press, we stand
Conviction; here, the more we push, we stand
More firm; who most examine, most believe.
More certain; those who analyze the most tend to believe the most.
Parts, like half sentences, confound; the whole
Parts, like incomplete sentences, confuse; the whole
Conveys the sense, and God is understood;
Conveys the feeling, and God is understood;
Who not in fragments writes to human race: 1240
Who doesn’t write to the human race in pieces:1240
Read his whole volume, sceptic! then reply.
Read his entire book, skeptic! Then respond.
This, this, is thinking free, a thought that grasps
This, this, is thinking freely, a thought that understands
Beyond a grain, and looks beyond an hour.
Beyond a grain, and looks beyond an hour.
Turn up thine eye, survey this midnight scene;
Turn up your eyes, look at this midnight scene;
What are earth’s kingdoms, to yon boundless orbs,
What are Earth’s kingdoms to those endless realms?
Of human souls, one day, the destined range?
Of human souls, what is the destined range one day?
And what yon boundless orbs, to godlike man? 1247
And what are those limitless orbs to godlike humans?1247
Those numerous worlds that throng the firmament,
Those many worlds that fill the sky,
And ask more space in heaven, can roll at large
And ask for more space in heaven, so it can expand freely.
In man’s capacious thought, and still leave room
In man's vast mind, and still leave space
For ampler orbs, for new creations, there.
For larger worlds, for new creations, there.
Can such a soul contract itself, to gripe
Can such a soul limit itself, to complain
A point of no dimension, of no weight? 1253
A point that has no size or weight?1253
It can; it does: the world is such a point;
It can; it does: the world is exactly that;
And, of that point, how small a part enslaves!
And, at that point, how small a part controls!
How small a part—of nothing, shall I say?
How small a part—of nothing, should I say?
Why not?—Friends, our chief treasure! how they drop!
Why not?—Friends, our greatest treasure! They keep disappearing!
The grave, like fabled Cerberus, has oped
The grave, like the legendary Cerberus, has opened
A triple mouth; and, in an awful voice, 1260
A three-mouthed creature; and, in a terrifying voice,1260
Loud calls my soul, and utters all I sing.
Loud calls my soul and expresses everything I sing.
How the world falls to pieces round about us,
How the world falls apart around us,
And leaves us in a ruin of our joy!
And leaves us in a mess of our happiness!
What says this transportation of my friends?
What does this transport of my friends mean?
It bids me love the place where now they dwell,
It encourages me to love the place where they now live,
And scorn this wretched spot, they leave so poor.
And they look down on this miserable place, leaving it in such bad shape.
Eternity’s vast ocean lies before thee;
Eternity’s vast ocean lies before you;
There, there, Lorenzo! thy Clarissa sails.
There, there, Lorenzo! your Clarissa is sailing.
Give thy mind sea-room; keep it wide of earth,
Give your mind space; keep it free from earthly concerns,
That rock of souls immortal; cut thy cord; 1270
That rock of immortal souls; cut your cord;1270
Weigh anchor; spread thy sails; call every wind;
Weigh anchor; set your sails; catch every wind;
Eye thy great Pole-star; make the land of life.
Keep your eye on the North Star; create your own path in life.
Two kinds of life has double-natured man,
Two kinds of life have a double-natured man,
And two of death; the last far more severe.
And two of death; the last one much more severe.
Life animal is nurtured by the sun;
Life animal is nourished by the sun;
Thrives on his bounties, triumphs in his beams.
Thrives on his abundance, triumphs in his light.
Life rational subsists on higher food,
Life rational subsists on higher food,
Triumphant in His beams, who made the day.
Triumphant in His light, who created the day.
When we leave that sun, and are left by this
When we leave that sun and are abandoned by this
(The fate of all who die in stubborn guilt), 1280
(The fate of all who die in stubborn guilt),1280
’Tis utter darkness; strictly double death.
It’s complete darkness; a total double death.
We sink by no judicial stroke of Heaven,
We’re not brought down by any judgment from above,
But nature’s course; as sure as plummets fall.
But nature's course; as certain as weights drop.
Since God, or man, must alter, ere they meet
Since God or man must change before they can come together.
(Since light and darkness blend not in one sphere),
(Since light and darkness do not mix in one sphere),
’Tis manifest, Lorenzo! who must change.
It’s clear, Lorenzo! Who needs to change.
If, then, that double death should prove thy lot,
If that double death is what you face,
Blame not the bowels of the Deity;
Blame not the depths of the Divine;
Man shall be blest, as far as man permits.
Man will be blessed, as much as man allows.
Not man alone, all rationals, Heaven arms 1290
Not just man, but all rational beings, Heaven equips.
With an illustrious, but tremendous, power
With a remarkable but huge power
To counteract its own most gracious ends;
To go against its own most generous goals;
And this, of strict necessity, not choice;
And this is due to strict necessity, not choice;
That power denied, men, angels, were no more
That power denied, men and angels were nothing more.
But passive engines, void of praise, or blame.
But passive engines, lacking praise or blame.
A nature rational implies the power
A nature rational suggests the power
Of being blest, or wretched, as we please;
Of being blessed or miserable, depending on our preference;
Else idle Reason would have nought to do;
Else idle Reason would have nothing to do;
And he that would be barr’d capacity
And he who wants to be limited in ability
Of pain, courts incapacity of bliss. 1300
Of pain, courts the inability to find happiness.1300
Heaven wills our happiness, allows our doom;
Heaven wants us to be happy but also lets our fate unfold;
Invites us ardently, but not compels.
Invites us passionately, but doesn’t force.
Heaven but persuades, almighty man decrees;
Heaven just encourages, but powerful man decides;
Man is the maker of immortal fates.
Man is the creator of eternal destinies.
Man falls by man, if finally he falls;
Man falls by man if he ultimately falls.
And fall he must, who learns from Death alone,
And he will surely fall, who learns only from Death,
The dreadful secret,—that he lives for ever.
The terrible secret — that he lives forever.
Why this to thee?—thee yet, perhaps, in doubt
Why is this for you?—you, perhaps, still unsure
Of second life? But wherefore doubtful still?
Of a second life? But why still uncertain?
Eternal life is nature’s ardent wish: 1310
Eternal life is nature's deep desire:1310
What ardently we wish, we soon believe:
What we really desire, we quickly convince ourselves is true:
Thy tardy faith declares that wish destroy’d:
Your delayed faith shows that desire is lost:
What has destroy’d it?—Shall I tell thee what?
What has destroyed it?—Should I tell you what?
When fear’d the future, ’tis no longer wish’d; 1314
When the future was feared, it’s no longer desired;1314
And, when unwish’d, we strive to disbelieve.
And, when it's unwanted, we try to not believe.
“Thus infidelity our guilt betrays.”
"Thus, infidelity reveals our guilt."
Nor that the sole detection! blush, Lorenzo!
Nor is that the only thing to discover! Blush, Lorenzo!
Blush for hypocrisy, if not for guilt.
Blush for being a hypocrite, if not for feeling guilty.
The future fear’d?—an infidel, and fear?
The future feared?—a nonbeliever, and fear?
Fear what? a dream? a fable?—How thy dread,
Fear what? A dream? A fable?—How your fear,
Unwilling evidence, and therefore strong,
Strong, unwilling evidence,
Affords my cause an undesign’d support! 1322
Affords my cause an unintended support!1322
How disbelief affirms, what it denies!
How disbelief confirms what it rejects!
“It, unawares, asserts immortal life.”—
"It unknowingly claims eternal life."
Surprising! infidelity turns out
Surprising! infidelity revealed
A creed, and a confession of our sins:
A belief statement and an admission of our wrongdoings:
Apostates, thus, are orthodox divines.
Apostates are orthodox religious leaders.
Lorenzo! with Lorenzo clash no more;
Lorenzo! Don't clash with Lorenzo anymore;
Nor longer a transparent visor wear.
No longer wear a transparent visor.
Think’st thou, Religion only has her mask? 1330
Think you, Religion has only her disguise?
Our infidels are Satan’s hypocrites,
Our nonbelievers are Satan’s hypocrites,
Pretend the worst, and, at the bottom, fail.
Pretend you're at your lowest point, and in the end, you'll fail.
When visited by thought (thought will intrude),
When thoughts come to mind (thoughts will intrude),
Like him they serve, they tremble, and believe.
Like him, they serve, tremble, and believe.
Is there hypocrisy so foul as this?
Is there any hypocrisy as disgusting as this?
So fatal to the welfare of the world?
So harmful to the well-being of the world?
What detestation, what contempt, their due!
What hatred, what disdain, they deserve!
And, if unpaid, be thank’d for their escape
And, if they aren't paid, be grateful for their escape.
That Christian candour they strive hard to scorn.
That Christian honesty they work hard to dismiss.
If not for that asylum, they might find 1340
If it weren't for that asylum, they might find1340
A hell on earth; nor ’scape a worse below.
A hell on earth; nor can you escape a worse one below.
With insolence, and impotence of thought,
With arrogance and a lack of clarity,
Instead of racking fancy, to refute,
Instead of showing off to argue,
Reform thy manners, and the truth enjoy.—
Reform your behavior, and enjoy the truth.
But shall I dare confess the dire result?
But should I really admit the serious outcome?
Can thy proud reason brook so black a brand?
Can your proud reason accept such a dark mark?
From purer manners, to sublimer faith,
From better behavior to a higher faith,
Is nature’s unavoidable ascent; 1348
Is nature's inevitable rise; 1348
An honest deist, where the Gospel shines,
An honest deist, where the Gospel shines,
Matured to nobler, in the Christian ends.
Matured to a higher purpose in the Christian faith.
When that bless’d change arrives, even cast aside
When that blessed change arrives, even set aside
This song superfluous; life immortal strikes
This song is unnecessary; life everlasting hits.
Conviction, in a flood of light divine.
Conviction, in a burst of divine light.
Meridian evidence puts doubt to flight;
Meridian evidence clears doubt;
And ardent Hope anticipates the skies.
And eager Hope looks forward to the skies.
Of that bright sun, Lorenzo! scale the sphere;
Of that bright sun, Lorenzo! climb the sphere;
’Tis easy! it invites thee; it descends
It’s easy! It invites you; it comes down
From heaven to woo, and waft thee whence it came:
From heaven to entice, and carry you back to where it came from:
Read and revere the sacred page; a page 1360
Read and respect the holy text; a page1360
Where triumphs immortality; a page
Where victories endure; a page
Which not the whole creation could produce;
Which the whole creation could not produce;
Which not the conflagration shall destroy;
Which the fire shall not destroy;
’Tis printed in the mind of gods for ever,
It’s forever etched in the minds of the gods,
In nature’s ruins not one letter lost.
In nature's ruins, not a single letter is lost.
In proud disdain of what even gods adore,
In proud contempt of what even gods admire,
Dost smile?—Poor wretch! thy guardian angel weeps.
Dost thou smile?—Poor soul! Your guardian angel is crying.
Angels, and men, assent to what I sing;
Angels and people agree with what I sing;
Wits smile, and thank me for my midnight dream.
Wits smile and thank me for my midnight dream.
How vicious hearts fume phrensy to the brain! 1370
How wicked hearts stir up madness in the brain!1370
Parts push us on to pride, and pride to shame;
Parts drive us toward pride, and pride leads to shame;
Pert infidelity is Wit’s cockade,
Pert infidelity is Wit’s badge,
To grace the brazen brow that braves the skies,
To adorn the bold head that faces the skies,
By loss of being, dreadfully secure.
By losing existence, frighteningly safe.
Lorenzo! if thy doctrine wins the day,
Lorenzo! If your lessons succeed,
And drives my dreams, defeated, from the field;
And chases my dreams, defeated, away from the field;
If this is all, if earth a final scene,
If this is everything, if Earth is the final stage,
Take heed; stand fast; be sure to be a knave;
Take notice; stay firm; make sure to be a rogue;
A knave in grain! ne’er deviate to the right:
A trickster in disguise! never stray to the right:
Should’st thou be good—how infinite thy loss! 1380
Should you be good—how great your loss!1380
Guilt only makes annihilation gain. 1381
Guilt only makes destruction worse. 1381
Bless’d scheme! which life deprives of comfort, death
Blessed plan! Which life takes away comfort, death
Of hope; and which Vice only recommends.
Of hope; and which Vice only suggests.
If so, where, infidels! your bait thrown out
If so, where, unbelievers! your bait is cast.
To catch weak converts? where your lofty boast
To catch weak converts? Where's your big brag?
Of zeal for virtue, and of love to man?
Of passion for goodness and of love for humanity?
Annihilation! I confess, in these.
Annihilation! I confess, in this.
What can reclaim you? Dare I hope profound
What can bring you back? Do I dare to hope for something deep?
Philosophers the converts of a song?
Philosophers, the followers of a song?
Yours be the praise to make my title good;
Yours is the praise that makes my title worthwhile;
Mine, to bless Heaven, and triumph in your praise.
Mine, to thank Heaven and celebrate your praise.
But since so pestilential your disease,
But since your disease is so contagious,
Though sovereign is the medicine I prescribe,
Though sovereign is the medicine I prescribe,
As yet, I’ll neither triumph, nor despair:
As of now, I won’t celebrate, nor will I feel hopeless:
But hope, ere long, my midnight dream will wake
But I hope that soon my midnight dream will come true.
Your hearts, and teach your wisdom—to be wise:
Your hearts, and share your wisdom—to be wise:
For why should souls immortal, made for bliss,
For why should immortal souls, created for happiness,
E’er wish (and wish in vain!) that souls could die?
Ever wish (and wish in vain!) that souls could die?
What ne’er can die, oh! grant to live; and crown 1400
What can never die, oh! allow to live; and crown
The wish, and aim, and labour of the skies;
The desire, goal, and effort of the heavens;
Increase, and enter on the joys of heaven:
Increase, and step into the joys of heaven:
Thus shall my title pass a sacred seal,
Thus, my title will carry a sacred seal,
Receive an imprimatur from above,
Get the green light from above,
While angels shout—An Infidel Reclaimed!
While angels shout—An Infidel Saved!
To close, Lorenzo! spite of all my pains,
To wrap up, Lorenzo! despite all my efforts,
Still seems it strange, that thou should’st live for ever?
Still seems it strange that you should live forever?
Is it less strange, that thou should’st live at all?
Is it any less strange that you should even be alive?
This is a miracle; and that no more.
This is a miracle, and nothing more.
Who gave beginning, can exclude an end. 1410
Whoever starts something can bring it to an end.1410
Deny thou art: then, doubt if thou shalt be.
Deny that you exist: then, question whether you will be.
A miracle with miracles enclosed,
A miracle with miracles inside,
Is man; and starts his faith at what is strange?
Is man; and does he begin his faith at what is strange?
What less than wonders, from the Wonderful; 1414
What could be more astonishing than the Wonderful;1414
What less than miracles, from God, can flow?
What could flow from God that's less than miracles?
Admit a God—that mystery supreme!
Admit a God—that ultimate mystery!
That Cause uncaused! all other wonders cease;
That cause that has no cause! All other wonders fade away;
Nothing is marvellous for Him to do:
Nothing is too amazing for Him to do:
Deny Him—all is mystery besides;
Deny Him—everything else is a mystery;
Millions of mysteries! each darker far,
Millions of mysteries! each darker still,
Than that thy wisdom would, unwisely, shun.
Than that your wisdom would, foolishly, avoid.
If weak thy faith, why choose the harder side? 1422
If your faith is weak, why pick the tougher option?1422
We nothing know, but what is marvellous;
We only know what's awesome;
Yet what is marvellous, we can’t believe.
Yet what is amazing, we can’t believe.
So weak our reason, and so great our God,
So weak is our reasoning, and so great is our God,
What most surprises in the sacred page,
What surprises most in the sacred text,
Or full as strange, or stranger, must be true.
Or just as strange, or even stranger, must be true.
Faith is not reason’s labour, but repose.
Faith isn't the effort of reason; it's actually a state of rest.
To faith, and virtue, why so backward, man?
To faith and virtue, why are you holding back, man?
From hence:—the present strongly strikes us all; 1430
From here:—the present really hits us all; 1430
The future, faintly: can we, then, be men?
The future, vaguely: can we, then, be human?
If men, Lorenzo! the reverse is right.
If men, Lorenzo! the opposite is true.
Reason is man’s peculiar: Sense, the brute’s.
Reason is unique to humans; senses are for animals.
The present is the scanty realm of Sense;
The present is the limited domain of perception;
The future, Reason’s empire unconfined:
The future, Reason's limitless empire:
On that expending all her godlike power,
On that exhausting all her divine strength,
She plans, provides, expatiates, triumphs, there;
She plans, provides, explains in detail, and succeeds there;
There, builds her blessings; there, expects her praise;
There, her blessings are created; there, she hopes for her praise;
And nothing asks of Fortune, or of men.
And nothing asks anything of luck, or of people.
And what is Reason? Be she thus defined; 1440
And what is Reason? Can she be defined like this; 1440
Reason is upright stature in the soul.
Reason is a straight posture in the soul.
Oh! be a man;—and strive to be a god.
Oh! be a man;—and try to be a god.
“For what? (thou say’st)—to damp the joys of life?”
“For what? (you say)—to dampen the joys of life?”
No; to give heart and substance to thy joys.
No; to give heart and depth to your joys.
That tyrant, Hope; mark how she domineers;
That tyrant, Hope; see how she rules;
She bids us quit realities, for dreams;
She asks us to leave reality for dreams;
Safety and peace, for hazard and alarm;
Safety and peace, instead of danger and fear;
That tyrant o’er the tyrants of the soul, 1448
That tyrant over the tyrants of the soul,1448
She bids Ambition quit its taken prize,
She tells Ambition to give up its hard-earned prize,
Spurn the luxuriant branch on which it sits,
Spurn the lush branch it sits on,
Though bearing crowns, to spring at distant game;
Though wearing crowns, to jump at distant prey;
And plunge in toils and dangers—for repose.
And dive into struggles and risks—for rest.
If hope precarious, and of things, when gain’d,
If hope is uncertain, and of things, when achieved,
Of little moment, and as little stay,
Of little importance, and just as little support,
Can sweeten toils and dangers into joys;
Can turn struggles and risks into joys;
What then, that hope, which nothing can defeat,
What then, is that hope, which nothing can defeat,
Our leave unask’d? rich hope of boundless bliss!
Our leave unasked? A strong hope for endless happiness!
Bliss, past Man’s power to paint it; Time’s, to close!
Bliss, beyond what anyone can describe; Time, to end it!
This hope is earth’s most estimable prize:
This hope is the most valuable treasure on Earth:
This is man’s portion, while no more than man: 1460
This is what a man gets, and nothing more than that:1460
Hope, of all passions, most befriends us here;
Hope, more than any other feeling, supports us here;
Passions of prouder name befriend us less.
Passions of a nobler name help us less.
Joy has her tears; and Transport has her death;
Joy has her tears, and Transport has her death.
Hope, like a cordial, innocent, though strong,
Hope, like a warm, innocent, yet powerful,
Man’s heart, at once, inspirits, and serenes;
Man's heart inspires and calms at the same time;
Nor makes him pay his wisdom for his joys;
Nor does he make him sacrifice his wisdom for his happiness;
’Tis all our present state can safely bear,
It's all our current situation can safely handle,
Health to the frame! and vigour to the mind!
Health to the body! and energy to the mind!
A joy attemper’d! a chastised delight!
A tempered joy! A restrained delight!
Like the fair summer evening, mild, and sweet! 1470
Like a beautiful summer evening, gentle and sweet!1470
’Tis man’s full cup; his paradise below!
It's man's full cup; his paradise here on earth!
A blest hereafter, then, or hoped, or gain’d,
A blessed future, then, either hoped for or achieved,
Is all;—our whole of happiness: full proof,
Is that it? Our entire happiness: undeniable proof,
I chose no trivial or inglorious theme.
I didn't pick a minor or unremarkable topic.
And know, ye foes to song! (well-meaning men,
And know, you enemies of music! (well-meaning people,
Though quite forgotten half your Bible’s[42] praise!)
Though almost forgotten, half of your Bible’s[42] praise!)
Important truths, in spite of verse, may please:
Important truths, despite the poetry, can be appealing:
Grave minds you praise; nor can you praise too much:
Grave minds you admire; you can't praise them enough:
If there is weight in an eternity,
If there is significance in forever,
Let the grave listen;—and be graver still. 1480
Let the grave listen;—and become even more serious.1480
VIRTUE’S APOLOGY;
OR,
THE MAN OF THE WORLD ANSWERED.
IN WHICH ARE REVIEWED,
THE LOVE OF THIS LIFE; THE AMBITION AND JOY,
WITH THE SMARTS AND INSIGHT, OF THE WORLD.
NIGHT EIGHTH
Night Eight
VIRTUE’S APOLOGY.
And has all nature, then, espoused my part?
And has all of nature, then, taken my side?
Have I bribed heaven, and earth, to plead against thee?
Have I bribed heaven and earth to argue against you?
And is thy soul immortal?—What remains?
And is your soul immortal?—What’s left?
All, all, Lorenzo!—Make immortal blest.
All, all, Lorenzo!—Make immortal blessed.
Unblest immortals!—What can shock us more?
Unlucky immortals!—What could possibly shock us more?
And yet Lorenzo still affects the world;
And still, Lorenzo impacts the world;
There stows his treasure; thence his title draws,
There he hides his treasure; that's where his title comes from,
Man of the world (for such would’st thou be call’d),
Man of the world (for that's what you would be called),
And art thou proud of that inglorious style?
And are you proud of that shameful style?
Proud of reproach? for a reproach it was, 10
Proud of criticism? because that’s what it was,10
In ancient days; and Christian,—in an age,
In ancient times; and Christian,—in an era,
When men were men, and not ashamed of heaven,
When men were men and weren't ashamed of heaven,
Fired their ambition, as it crown’d their joy.
Fueled their ambition, because it crowned their happiness.
Sprinkled with dews from the Castalian font,
Sprinkled with dew from the Castalian spring,
Fain would I re-baptize thee, and confer
Fain would I re-baptize thee, and confer
A purer spirit, and a nobler name.
A more genuine spirit and a better name.
Thy fond attachments, fatal, and inflamed,
Your passionate attachments, dangerous and intense,
Point out my path, and dictate to my song:
Point out my path, and tell me how to sing:
To thee, the world how fair! how strongly strikes
To you, the world is so beautiful! How powerfully it hits!
Ambition! and gay pleasure stronger still! 20
Aspiration! And even more joy! 20
Thy triple bane! the triple bolt that lays 21
Thy triple curse! the triple strike that lays21
Thy virtue dead! Be these my triple theme;
Your virtue is gone! Let these be my three topics;
Nor shall thy wit, or wisdom, be forgot.
Nor will your intelligence or wisdom be forgotten.
Common the theme; not so the song; if she
Common the theme; not so the song; if she
My song invokes, Urania deigns to smile.
My song calls, and Urania smiles.
The charm that chains us to the world, her foe,
The charm that ties us to the world, her enemy,
If she dissolves, the man of earth, at once,
If she falls apart, the man of the earth, right away,
Starts from his trance, and sighs for other scenes;
Starts from his trance and longs for different places;
Scenes, where these sparks of night, these stars shall shine
Scenes where these sparks of night, these stars will shine.
Unnumber’d suns (for all things, as they are, 30
Unnumbered suns (for everything, as they are,30
The blest behold); and, in one glory, pour
The blessed see); and, in one glory, pour
Their blended blaze on man’s astonish’d sight;
Their combined fire on man's astonished gaze;
A blaze—the least illustrious object there.
A fire—the least impressive thing there.
Lorenzo! since eternal is at hand,
Lorenzo! Since eternity is upon us,
To swallow Time’s ambitions; as the vast
To swallow Time’s ambitions; as the vast
Leviathan, the bubbles vain, that ride
Leviathan, the bubbles foolish, that ride
High on the foaming billow; what avail
High on the foaming wave; what good
High titles, high descent, attainments high,
High titles, noble lineage, outstanding achievements,
If unattain’d our highest? O Lorenzo!
If we haven’t reached our highest? O Lorenzo!
What lofty thoughts, these elements above, 40
What elevated thoughts, these elements above,40
What towering hopes, what sallies from the sun,
What huge hopes, what bursts of sunlight,
What grand surveys of destiny divine,
What great surveys of divine destiny,
And pompous presage of unfathom’d fate,
And a pompous prediction of unknown destiny,
Should roll in bosoms, where a spirit burns,
Should roll in hearts, where a spirit burns,
Bound for eternity! in bosoms read
Bound for eternity! in hearts read
By Him, who foibles in archangels sees!
By Him, who sees flaws in archangels!
On human hearts He bends a jealous eye,
On human hearts, He casts a jealous gaze,
And marks, and in heaven’s register enrols,
And marks, and records in heaven’s register,
The rise, and progress, of each option there;
The rise and progress of each option there;
Sacred to doomsday! That the page unfolds, 50
Sacred to doomsday! That the page opens,50
And spreads us to the gaze of gods and men.
And exposes us to the eyes of gods and people.
And what an option, O Lorenzo, thine!
What a choice, Lorenzo!
This world! and this, unrivall’d by the skies!
This world! and this, unmatched by the heavens!
A world, where lust of pleasure, grandeur, gold,
A world where the desire for pleasure, luxury, and wealth,
Three demons that divide its realms between them, 55
Three demons that split their territories among themselves,55
With strokes alternate buffet to and fro
With alternating strokes, buffet back and forth
Man’s restless heart, their sport, their flying ball;
Man's restless heart, their play, their flying ball;
Till, with the giddy circle sick, and tired,
Till, feeling dizzy and worn out from the endless circle,
It pants for peace, and drops into despair.
It longs for peace and falls into despair.
Such is the world Lorenzo sets above
Such is the world that Lorenzo sets above.
That glorious promise angels were esteem’d
That glorious promise angels were valued
Too mean to bring; a promise, their Adored 62
Too stingy to bring; a promise, their Adored62
Descended to communicate, and press,
Came down to talk and push,
By counsel, miracle, life, death, on man.
By guidance, miracle, life, death, on humanity.
Such is the world Lorenzo’s wisdom woos,
Such is the world that Lorenzo's wisdom charms,
And on its thorny pillow seeks repose;
And on its prickly pillow tries to rest;
A pillow, which, like opiates ill prepared,
A pillow, which, like poorly made opiates,
Intoxicates, but not composes; fills
Intoxicates, but doesn't compose; fills
The visionary mind with gay chimeras,
The imaginative mind with bright fantasies,
All the wild trash of sleep, without the rest; 70
All the chaotic nonsense of sleep, without the break;70
What unfeign’d travel, and what dreams of joy!
What real travel, and what dreams of joy!
How frail, men, things! how momentary, both!
How fragile, men, things! How fleeting, both!
Fantastic chase of shadows hunting shades!
Fantastic chase of shadows hunting shades!
The gay, the busy, equal though unlike;
The joyful, the active, similar yet different;
Equal in wisdom, differently wise!
Equal in wisdom, uniquely wise!
Through flowery meadows, and through dreary wastes,
Through blooming meadows and through bleak, empty stretches,
One bustling, and one dancing, into death.
One rushing and one dancing into death.
There’s not a day, but, to the man of thought,
There’s not a day that goes by, but to the thoughtful person,
Betrays some secret, that throws new reproach
Betrays some secret that brings new blame.
On life, and makes him sick of seeing more. 80
On life, and makes him sick of seeing more.80
The scenes of business tell us—“What are men;"
The scenes of business tell us—“What are people;"
The scenes of pleasure—“What is all beside;”
The scenes of pleasure—“What else matters;”
There, others we despise; and here, ourselves:
There, others we disdain; and here, ourselves:
Amid disgust eternal, dwells delight?
In eternal disgust, is there delight?
’Tis approbation strikes the string of joy.
It’s approval that hits the chord of happiness.
What wondrous prize has kindled this career,
What amazing reward has sparked this journey,
Stuns with the din, and chokes us with the dust,
Stuns us with the noise, and chokes us with the dust,
On life’s gay stage, one inch above the grave?
On life's cheerful stage, one inch above the grave?
The proud run up and down in quest of eyes; 89
The proud run around looking for attention;89
The sensual, in pursuit of something worse;
The sensual, chasing after something even worse;
The grave, of gold; the politic, of power;
The grave, of gold; the political, of power;
And all, of other butterflies, as vain!
And all the other butterflies are just as vain!
As eddies draw things frivolous, and light,
As whirlpools pull in trivial and light things,
How is man’s heart by vanity drawn in;
How is a person's heart pulled in by vanity;
On the swift circle of returning toys,
On the quick cycle of returning toys,
Whirl’d, straw-like, round and round, and then engulf’d,
Whirling, like straw, around and around, and then swallowed up,
Where gay delusion darkens to despair!
Where joyful delusion fades into despair!
“This is a beaten track.”—Is this a track
“This is a worn path.” —Is this a path?
Should not be beaten? Never beat enough,
Shouldn’t be hit? Never hit enough,
Till enough learn’d the truths it would inspire. 100
Till enough learned the truths it would inspire.100
Shall Truth be silent, because Folly frowns?
Shall Truth stay quiet just because Foolishness frowns?
Turn the world’s history; what find we there,
Turn the world’s history; what do we find there,
But Fortune’s sports, or Nature’s cruel claims,
But the twists of fate, or Nature’s harsh demands,
Or Woman’s artifice, or Man’s revenge,
Or a woman's cleverness, or a man's desire for revenge,
And endless inhumanities on man?
And endless inhumanities against humanity?
Fame’s trumpet seldom sounds, but, like the knell,
Fame’s trumpet rarely plays, but, like a funeral bell,
It brings bad tidings: how it hourly blows
It brings bad news: how it blows every hour
Man’s misadventures round the listening world!
Man’s misadventures around the listening world!
Man is the tale of narrative old time;
Man is the story of ancient times;
Sad tale; which high as Paradise begins; 110
Sad story; which starts as high as Paradise;110
As if, the toil of travel to delude,
As if the hard work of traveling is just to trick you,
From stage to stage, in his eternal round,
From stage to stage, in his endless cycle,
The Days, his daughters, as they spin our hours
The Days, his daughters, as they weave our hours
On Fortune’s wheel, where accident unthought
On Fortune's wheel, where unexpected events
Oft, in a moment, snaps life’s strongest thread,
Oftentimes, in an instant, life’s strongest thread snaps,
Each, in her turn, some tragic story tells,
Each, in her turn, tells a tragic story,
With, now and then, a wretched farce between;
With a miserable farce now and then in between;
And fills his chronicle with human woes.
And fills his story with human struggles.
Time’s daughters, true as those of men, deceive us;
Time’s daughters, just like those of men, mislead us;
Not one, but puts some cheat on all mankind: 120
Not just one, but deceives all of humanity:120
While in their father’s bosom, not yet ours,
While in their father's care, not yet ours,
They flatter our fond hopes, and promise much
They flatter our hopes and make big promises.
Of amiable; but hold him not o’er-wise, 123
Of friendly nature; but don’t think he’s too smart,123
Who dares to trust them; and laugh round the year
Who has the guts to trust them and keep laughing throughout the year?
At still-confiding, still-confounded, man,
At still-trusting, still-confused, man,
Confiding, though confounded; hoping on,
Sharing, though confused; staying hopeful,
Untaught by trial, unconvinced by proof,
Untested by experience, unconvinced by evidence,
And ever looking for the never seen.
And always searching for what has never been seen.
Life to the last, like harden’d felons, lies;
Life to the end, like hardened criminals, deceives;
Nor owns itself a cheat, till it expires. 130
Nor does it consider itself a cheat until it dies.130
Its little joys go out by one and one,
Its small joys fade away one by one,
And leave poor man, at length, in perfect night;
And leave the poor man, finally, in complete darkness;
Night darker, than what, now, involves the pole.
Night is darker than anything else that now touches the pole.
O Thou, who dost permit these ills to fall,
O You, who allow these troubles to come,
For gracious ends, and would’st that man should mourn!
For noble purposes, and would you have man grieve!
O Thou, whose hands this goodly fabric framed,
O You, whose hands created this beautiful structure,
Who know’st it best, and would’st that man should know!
Who knows it best, and would you want that man to know!
What is this sublunary world? A vapour;
What is this world below the moon? A vapor;
A vapour all it holds; itself, a vapour;
A vapor, everything it contains; itself, a vapor;
From the damp bed of chaos, by Thy beam 140
From the wet chaos of the bed, by Your light
Exhaled, ordain’d to swim its destined hour
Exhaled, destined to swim its allotted time
In ambient air, then melt, and disappear.
In the surrounding air, then melt, and vanish.
Earth’s days are number’d, nor remote her doom;
Earth's days are numbered, and her doom isn't far off;
As mortal, though less transient, than her sons;
As a mortal, though less fleeting, than her sons;
Yet they doat on her, as the world and they
Yet they are really fond of her, just like the world and they
Were both eternal, solid; Thou, a dream.
Were both eternal, solid; you, a dream.
They doat!—on what? Immortal views apart,
They obsess!—on what? Aside from timeless perspectives,
A region of outsides! a land of shadows!
A place of the outdoors! A land of shadows!
A fruitful field of flowery promises!
A productive field of blooming promises!
A wilderness of joys! perplex’d with doubts, 150
A wild mix of happiness! confused by uncertainties, 150
And sharp with thorns! a troubled ocean, spread
And sharp with thorns! a troubled ocean, spread
With bold adventurers, their all on board!
With daring adventurers, everyone on board!
No second hope, if here their fortune frowns;
No second chance, if their luck goes bad here;
Frown soon it must. Of various rates they sail,
Frown soon it must. They sail at different speeds,
Of ensigns various; all alike in this,
Of different flags; all the same in this,
All restless, anxious; toss’d with hopes, and fears,
All restless and anxious; tossed about with hopes and fears,
In calmest skies; obnoxious all to storm; 157
In the calmest skies; annoying to all in a storm;157
And stormy the most general blast of life:
And tumultuous is the most common force of life:
All bound for happiness; yet few provide
All aiming for happiness; yet few deliver
The chart of knowledge, pointing where it lies;
The knowledge chart, showing where it is located;
Or Virtue’s helm, to shape the course design’d:
Or Virtue’s helm, to steer the intended path:
All, more or less, capricious fate lament,
All, more or less, complain about fickle fate,
Now lifted by the tide, and now resorb’d, 163
Now lifted by the tide, and now absorbed,163
And farther from their wishes than before:
And further from their wishes than before:
All, more or less, against each other dash.
All, more or less, are against each other.
To mutual hurt, by gusts of passion driven,
To our shared pain, driven by strong emotions,
And suffering more from folly, than from fate.
And suffering more from foolishness than from fate.
Ocean! thou dreadful and tumultuous home
Ocean! you dreadful and chaotic home
Of dangers, at eternal war with man!
Of dangers, in an endless battle with humanity!
Death’s capital, where most he domineers, 170
Death’s capital, where he rules the most, 170
With all his chosen terrors frowning round,
With all his chosen fears looming around,
(Though lately feasted high at Albion’s cost,)[43]
(Though recently celebrated greatly at Albion's expense,)[43]
Wide-opening, and loud roaring still for more!
Wide open, and loud roaring still for more!
Too faithful mirror! how dost thou reflect
Too faithful mirror! How do you reflect
The melancholy face of human life!
The sad reality of human life!
The strong resemblance tempts me farther still:
The strong resemblance keeps pulling me even closer:
And, haply, Britain may be deeper struck
And, perhaps, Britain may be more deeply affected
By moral truth, in such a mirror seen,
By moral truth, seen in such a reflection,
Which Nature holds for ever at her eye.
Which Nature holds forever in her sight.
Self-flatter’d, unexperienced, high in hope, 180
Self-flattered, inexperienced, overly hopeful, 180
When young, with sanguine cheer, and streamers gay,
When I was young, full of hopeful joy, and bright banners.
We cut our cable, launch into the world,
We canceled our cable and stepped into the world,
And fondly dream each wind and star our friend;
And lovingly dream of each breeze and star, our friend;
All, in some darling enterprise embark’d:
All, engaged in some beloved venture:
But where is he can fathom its extent?
But where can he understand its depth?
Amid a multitude of artless hands,
Amid a crowd of clumsy hands,
Ruin’s sure perquisite! her lawful prize!
Ruin’s definite reward! her rightful treasure!
Some steer aright; but the black blast blows hard,
Some steer correctly; but the dark winds blow fiercely,
And puffs them wide of hope: with hearts of proof,
And puffs them away from hope: with hearts of evidence,
Full against wind and tide, some win their way; 190
Full against wind and tide, some make their way;190
And when strong effort has deserved the port,
And when hard work has earned the destination,
And tugg’d it into view, ’tis won! ’tis lost!
And pulled it into view, it's won! It's lost!
Though strong their oar, still stronger is their fate:
Though their oars are strong, their fate is even stronger:
They strike; and, while they triumph, they expire.
They attack; and, while they celebrate their victory, they die.
In stress of weather, most; some sink outright;
In tough weather, most people struggle; some just give up completely;
O’er them, and o’er their names, the billows close;
Over them, and over their names, the waves roll in;
To-morrow knows not they were ever born.
Tomorrow doesn’t know they were ever born.
Others a short memorial leave behind,
Others leave a brief memorial behind,
Like a flag floating,[44] when the bark’s engulf’d;
Like a flag waving,[44] when the ship’s surrounded;
It floats a moment, and is seen no more: 200
It floats for a moment and then disappears: 200
One Cæsar lives; a thousand are forgot.
One Caesar lives; a thousand are forgotten.
How few, beneath auspicious planets born
How few, born under lucky stars
(Darlings of Providence! fond Fate’s elect!),
(Darlings of Providence! favored ones of fate!),
With swelling sails make good the promised port,
With filled sails, reach the promised port,
With all their wishes freighted! Yet even these,
With all their wishes loaded! Yet even these,
Freighted with all their wishes, soon complain;
Freighted with all their wishes, soon complain;
Free from misfortune, not from nature free,
Free from misfortune, but not free from nature,
They still are men; and when is man secure?
They are still men; and when is a man ever truly secure?
As fatal time, as storm! the rush of years
As deadly as time, as turbulent as a storm! the swift passage of years
Beats down their strength; their numberless escapes 210
Beats down their strength; their countless escapes210
In ruin end: and, now, their proud success
In the end, it all fell apart: and now, their once proud success
But plants new terrors on the victor’s brow:
But plants new fears on the victor’s brow:
What pain to quit the world, just made their own,
What a struggle it is to leave the world they just created,
Their nest so deeply down’d, and built so high!
Their nest is so deeply hidden and built so high!
Too low they build, who build beneath the stars.
Too low they build, who build under the stars.
Woe then apart (if woe apart can be
Woe then apart (if woe apart can be
From mortal man), and fortune at our nod,
From mortal man, and fortune at our command,
The gay, rich, great, triumphant, and august!
The happy, wealthy, impressive, successful, and majestic!
What are they?—The most happy (strange to say!)
What are they?—The happiest (strange to say!)
Convince me most of human misery; 220
Convince me that most of human suffering; 220
What are they? Smiling wretches of to-morrow! 221
What are they? Happy victims of tomorrow!221
More wretched, then, than e’er their slave can be;
More miserable, then, than any slave could be;
Their treacherous blessings, at the day of need,
Their treacherous blessings, in times of need,
Like other faithless friends, unmask, and sting:
Like other untrustworthy friends, reveal your true self and hurt.
Then, what provoking indigence in wealth!
Then, what a frustrating lack of wealth!
What aggravated impotence in power!
What worsened powerlessness!
High titles, then, what insult of their pain!
High titles, then, what an insult to their suffering!
If that sole anchor, equal to the waves,
If that single anchor, equal to the waves,
Immortal Hope! defies not the rude storm,
Immortal Hope! doesn't resist the harsh storm,
Takes comfort from the foaming billow’s rage, 230
Takes comfort from the wild waves' fury,230
And makes a welcome harbour of the tomb.
And turns the tomb into a welcoming harbor.
Is this a sketch of what thy soul admires?
Is this a sketch of what your soul admires?
“But here (thou say’st) the miseries of life
But here (you say) the miseries of life
Are huddled in a group. A more distinct
Are huddled in a group. A more distinct
Survey, perhaps, might bring thee better news.”
Surveying might bring you better news.
Look on life’s stages: they speak plainer still;
Look at the stages of life: they communicate even more clearly;
The plainer they, the deeper wilt thou sigh.
The simpler they are, the deeper you'll sigh.
Look on thy lovely boy; in him behold
Look at your beautiful boy; in him see
The best that can befall the best on earth;
The greatest thing that can happen to the best people on earth;
The boy has virtue by his mother’s side: 240
The boy has virtue from his mother's side:240
Yes, on Florello look: a father’s heart
Yes, on Florello look: a father’s heart
Is tender, though the man’s is made of stone;
Is gentle, even though the man's heart is made of stone;
The truth, through such a medium seen, may make
The truth, as seen through such a medium, may make
Impression deep, and fondness prove thy friend.
Impressions run deep, and affection shows your true friends.
Florello lately cast on this rude coast
Florello recently landed on this rough coast.
A helpless infant; now a heedless child;
A helpless baby; now a careless kid;
To poor Clarissa’s throes, thy care succeeds;
To poor Clarissa’s struggles, your care pays off;
Care full of love, and yet severe as hate!
Care full of love, and yet harsh as hate!
O’er thy soul’s joy how oft thy fondness frowns!
Over your soul's joy, how often your affection scowls!
Needful austerities his will restrain; 250
Necessary austerities will hold him back;
As thorns fence in the tender plant from harm.
As thorns protect the delicate plant from harm.
As yet, his reason cannot go alone;
As of now, his reasoning can't stand on its own;
But asks a sterner nurse to lead it on.
But asks a stricter nurse to guide it along.
His little heart is often terrified;
His little heart is often scared;
The blush of morning, in his cheek, turns pale; 255
The blush of morning in his cheek fades; 255
Its pearly dewdrop trembles in his eye;
Its pearly dewdrop shakes in his eye;
His harmless eye! and drowns an angel there.
His innocent eyes! and they drown an angel there.
Ah! what avails his innocence? The task
Ah! what good is his innocence? The task
Enjoin’d must discipline his early powers;
Enjoined must discipline his early abilities;
He learns to sigh, ere he is known to sin;
He learns to sigh before he knows how to sin;
Guiltless, and sad! a wretch before the fall!
Guilt-free and sad! A loser before the crash!
How cruel this! more cruel to forbear. 262
How cruel this is! Even more cruel to hold back.262
Our nature such, with necessary pains,
Our nature is such that, with inevitable struggles,
We purchase prospects of precarious peace:
We buy the hopes of uncertain peace:
Though not a father, this might steal a sigh.
Though not a father, this might draw a sigh.
Suppose him disciplined aright (if not,
Suppose he is disciplined correctly (if not,
’Twill sink our poor account to poorer still);
It will make our already poor situation even worse;
Ripe from the tutor, proud of liberty,
Ripe from the tutor, proud of freedom,
He leaps enclosure, bounds into the world!
He jumps out of the cage and leaps into the world!
The world is taken, after ten years’ toil, 270
The world is taken, after ten years of hard work,270
Like ancient Troy; and all its joys his own.
Like ancient Troy; and all its joys are his own.
Alas! the world’s a tutor more severe;
Alas! the world is a tougher teacher;
Its lessons hard, and ill deserve his pains;
Its lessons are tough, and he doesn't deserve the trouble he's gone through;
Unteaching all his virtuous nature taught,
Unteaching all the good qualities he learned,
Or books (fair Virtue’s advocates!) inspired.
Or books (fair Virtue’s advocates!) inspired.
For who receives him into public life?
For who brings him into the public sphere?
Men of the world, the terræ-filial breed,
Men of the world, the earthly breed,
Welcome the modest stranger to their sphere
Welcome the humble stranger to their world.
(Which glitter’d long, at distance, in his sight),
(Which glittered for a long time, distantly, in his view),
And, in their hospitable arms, enclose: 280
And, in their welcoming embrace, enclose:280
Men, who think nought so strong of the romance,
Men, who think nothing of romance,
So rank knight-errant, as a real friend:
So, a proud knight-errant, like a true friend:
Men, that act up to Reason’s golden rule,
Men who live by Reason’s golden rule,
All weakness of affection quite subdued:
All feelings of weakness completely under control:
Men, that would blush at being thought sincere,
Men who would feel embarrassed at being seen as genuine,
And feign, for glory, the few faults they want;
And pretend, for the sake of glory, the minor flaws they desire;
That love a lie, where truth would pay as well;
That love is a lie, where the truth would have worked just as well;
As if to them, Vice shone her own reward.
As if to them, Vice revealed her own reward.
Lorenzo! canst thou bear a shocking sight? 289
Lorenzo! Can you handle a shocking sight?289
Such, for Florello’s sake, ’twill now appear:
Such, for Florello’s sake, it will now seem:
See, the steel’d files of season’d veterans,
See, the hardened ranks of experienced veterans,
Train’d to the world, in burnish’d falsehood bright;
Train'd to the world, in polished deception shining;
Deep in the fatal stratagems of peace;
Deep in the deadly schemes of peace;
All soft sensation, in the throng, rubb’d off;
All soft sensations, in the crowd, rubbed off;
All their keen purpose, in politeness, sheath’d;
All their sharp intentions, carefully hidden in politeness;
His friends eternal—during interest;
His friends forever—during interest;
His foes implacable—when worth their while;
His enemies were relentless—when it was worth their time;
At war with every welfare, but their own;
At war with every form of welfare, but their own;
As wise as Lucifer; and half as good;
As clever as Lucifer, and not nearly as good;
And by whom none, but Lucifer, can gain— 300
And only Lucifer can win it—300
Naked, through these (so common fate ordains),
Naked, through these (so common fate decides),
Naked of heart, his cruel course he runs,
Naked of heart, his cruel course he runs,
Stung out of all, most amiable in life,
Stung out of everything, the most friendly in life,
Prompt truth, and open thought, and smiles unfeign’d;
Prompt truth, open thoughts, and genuine smiles;
Affection, as his species, wide diffused;
Affection, as his kind, widely spread;
Noble presumptions to mankind’s renown;
Noble beliefs about humanity's greatness;
Ingenuous trust, and confidence of love.
Ingenuous trust and confidence in love.
These claims to joy (if mortals joy might claim)
These claims to happiness (if humans can claim happiness)
Will cost him many a sigh; till time, and pains,
Will cost him many sighs; until time, and effort,
From the slow mistress of this school, Experience, 310
From the slow teacher of this school, Experience,310
And her assistant, pausing, pale, Distrust,
And her assistant, stopping briefly, looked pale, filled with doubt,
Purchase a dear-bought clue to lead his youth
Purchase a costly hint to guide his youth.
Through serpentine obliquities of life,
Through life's twisting turns,
And the dark labyrinth of human hearts.
And the dark maze of human emotions.
And happy! if the clue shall come so cheap:
And happy! if the hint comes so easily:
For, while we learn to fence with public guilt,
For, while we learn to deal with public shame,
Full oft we feel its foul contagion too,
Full often we feel its foul contagion too,
If less than heavenly virtue is our guard.
If our protection is something less than heavenly virtue.
Thus, a strange kind of cursed necessity
Thus, a weird kind of cursed necessity
Brings down the sterling temper of his soul, 320
Brings down the noble spirit of his soul,320
By base alloy, to bear the current stamp,
By base alloy, to carry the current mark,
Below call’d wisdom; sinks him into safety;
Below called wisdom; sinks him into safety;
And brands him into credit with the world; 323
And gives him recognition with the world;323
Where specious titles dignify disgrace,
Where misleading titles glorify shame,
And nature’s injuries are arts of life;
And nature's wounds are aspects of life;
Where brighter reason prompts to bolder crimes;
Where sharper logic encourages bolder crimes;
And heavenly talents make infernal hearts;
And heavenly gifts create hellish hearts;
That unsurmountable extreme of guilt!
That overwhelming guilt!
Poor Machiavel! who labour’d hard his plan,
Poor Machiavel! who worked hard on his plan,
Forgot, that genius need not go to school;
Forgot, that a genius doesn't need to go to school;
Forgot, that man, without a tutor wise,
Forgot, that man, without a wise tutor,
His plan had practised, long before ’twas writ. 332
His plan had been practiced long before it was written.332
The world’s all title-page; there’s no contents;
The world is just a title page; there’s no content;
The world’s all face; the man who shows his heart,
The world's all face; the guy who reveals his feelings,
Is hooted for his nudities, and scorn’d.
Is mocked for his nudity and ridiculed.
A man I knew, who lived upon a smile;
A man I knew who lived for a smile;
And well it fed him; he look’d plump and fair;
And it fed him well; he looked healthy and strong;
While rankest venom foam’d through every vein.
While the strongest poison coursed through every vein.
Lorenzo! what I tell thee, take not ill!
Lorenzo! Please don’t take what I say the wrong way!
Living, he fawn’d on every fool alive; 340
Living, he flattered every fool around; 340
And, dying, cursed the friend on whom he lived.
And, as he was dying, he cursed the friend he depended on.
To such proficients thou art half a saint.
To those experts, you’re practically a saint.
In foreign realms (for thou hast travell’d far)
In foreign lands (because you've traveled far)
How curious to contemplate two state-rooks,
How curious to think about two state-rooks,
Studious their nests to feather in a trice,
Studiously, they quickly gather materials for their nests,
With all the necromantics of their art,
With all the magic of their craft,
Playing the game of faces on each other,
Playing the game of faces with each other,
Making court sweetmeats of their latent gall,
Making sugary treats out of their hidden bitterness,
In foolish hope, to steal each other’s trust;
In naive hope, to take each other's trust;
Both cheating, both exulting, both deceived; 350
Both cheating, both celebrating, both misled; 350
And, sometimes, both (let earth rejoice) undone!
And sometimes, both (let the earth rejoice) are undone!
Their parts we doubt not; but be that their shame;
Their roles, we don't doubt; but let that be their shame;
Shall men of talents, fit to rule mankind,
Shall men with the skills to lead humanity,
Stoop to mean wiles, that would disgrace a fool;
Stoop to petty tricks that would embarrass a fool;
And lose the thanks of those few friends they serve?
And lose the gratitude of those few friends they help?
For who can thank the man, he cannot see?
For who can thank someone they can't see?
Why so much cover? It defeats itself. 357
Why so much cover? It undermines itself.357
Ye, that know all things! know ye not, men’s hearts
You, who know everything! Don’t you realize that people’s hearts
Are therefore known, because they are conceal’d?
Are they known because they're hidden?
For why conceal’d?—The cause they need not tell.
For what reason hide it?—They don’t have to explain.
I give him joy, that’s awkward at a lie;
I bring him joy, which makes it awkward to lie;
Whose feeble nature Truth keeps still in awe;
Whose weak nature Truth keeps frozen in fear;
His incapacity is his renown. 363
His disability is his fame. 363
’Tis great, ’tis manly, to disdain disguise;
It's great, it's brave, to reject disguise;
It shows our spirit, or it proves our strength.
It reflects our spirit, or it demonstrates our strength.
Thou say’st, ’tis needful: is it therefore right?
You say it's necessary: is it really the right thing to do?
Howe’er, I grant it some small sign of grace,
However, I allow it a little sign of grace,
To strain at an excuse: And would’st thou then
To struggle for an excuse: And would you then
Escape that cruel need? Thou may’st, with ease;
Escape that cruel need? You can, easily;
Think no post needful that demands a knave. 370
Think no position is necessary that requires a scoundrel.370
When late our civil helm was shifting hands,
When our civil leadership was changing hands late,
So Pulteney thought: think better, if you can.
So Pulteney thought: think better, if you can.
But this, how rare! the public path of life
But this, how rare! the public path of life
Is dirty;—yet, allow that dirt its due,
Is dirty;—yet, acknowledge that dirt has its place,
It makes the noble mind more noble still:
It makes a great mind even greater:
The world’s no neuter; it will wound, or save;
The world isn’t neutral; it will hurt you or help you;
Or virtue quench, or indignation fire.
Or virtue may fade, or anger may ignite.
You say, the world, well known, will make a man:
You say, the world, as we know it, will shape a person:
The world, well known, will give our hearts to Heaven,
The world, as we know it, will lead our hearts to Heaven,
Or make us demons, long before we die. 380
Or turn us into demons long before we die.380
To show how fair the world, thy mistress, shines,
To show how fair the world, your mistress, shines,
Take either part, sure ills attend the choice;
Take either option, there will definitely be downsides to your choice;
Sure, though not equal, detriment ensues.
Sure, although not the same, negative consequences follow.
Not Virtue’s self is deified on earth;
Not even Virtue herself is worshipped on earth;
Virtue has her relapses, conflicts, foes;
Virtue has her setbacks, struggles, and enemies;
Foes, that ne’er fail to make her feel their hate.
Enemies who never fail to show their hatred for her.
Virtue has her peculiar set of pains.
Virtue comes with its own special set of hardships.
True friends to virtue, last, and least, complain;
True friends to virtue, endure, and rarely complain;
But if they sigh, can others hope to smile?
But if they sigh, can anyone else hope to smile?
If Wisdom has her miseries to mourn, 390
If Wisdom has her sorrows to grieve,390
How can poor Folly lead a happy life? 391
How can unfortunate Folly lead a happy life?391
And if both suffer, what has earth to boast,
And if both are suffering, what does the world have to be proud of?
Where he most happy, who the least laments?
Where is he happiest, who complains the least?
Where much, much patience, the most envied state,
Where there is a lot, a lot of patience, the most admired state,
And some forgiveness, needs, the best of friends?
And does forgiveness need the best of friends?
For friend, or happy life, who looks not higher,
For a friend, or a happy life, who doesn’t aim higher,
Of neither shall he find the shadow here.
Of neither will he find the shadow here.
The world’s sworn advocate, without a fee,
The world’s committed supporter, at no cost,
Lorenzo smartly, with a smile, replies:
Lorenzo cleverly replies with a smile:
“Thus far thy song is right; and all must own, 400
“Up to this point, your song is true; and everyone must admit,400
Virtue has her peculiar set of pains.—
Virtue has her own specific set of pains.—
And joys peculiar who to Vice denies?
And what joys are unique to those who say no to vice?
If vice it is, with nature to comply:
If it's wrong to go along with nature:
If Pride, and Sense, are so predominant,
If pride and common sense are so dominant,
To check, not overcome, them, makes a saint.
To manage, not defeat, them, makes a saint.
Can Nature in a plainer voice proclaim
Can Nature communicate more clearly?
Pleasure, and glory, the chief good of man?”
“Pleasure and glory, the ultimate good for humanity?”
Can Pride, and Sensuality, rejoice?
Can Pride and Sensuality rejoice?
From purity of thought, all pleasure springs;
From pure thoughts, all pleasure comes;
And, from an humble spirit, all our peace. 410
And from a humble spirit comes all our peace.410
Ambition, pleasure! let us talk of these:
Ambition and pleasure! Let’s discuss these:
Of these, the Porch, and Academy, talk’d;
Of these, the Porch and the Academy talked;
Of these, each following age had much to say:
Of these, each subsequent age had a lot to contribute:
Yet, unexhausted, still, the needful theme.
Yet, still undefeated, the essential theme.
Who talks of these, to mankind all at once
Who talks about these, to everyone at once?
He talks; for where the saint from either free?
He talks; for where is the saint from either free?
Are these thy refuge?—No: these rush upon thee;
Are these your refuge?—No: these rush at you;
Thy vitals seize, and, vulture-like, devour;
Your insides tighten, and like a vulture, you consume;
I’ll try, if I can pluck thee from thy rock,
I’ll give it a shot, if I can pull you off your rock,
Prometheus! from this barren ball of earth; 420
Prometheus! from this barren planet; 420
If Reason can unchain thee, thou art free.
If reason can set you free, then you are free.
And, first, thy Caucasus, Ambition, calls;
And first, your Caucasus, Ambition, calls;
Mountain of torments! eminence of woes!
Mountain of troubles! Peak of sorrows!
Of courted woes! and courted through mistake!
Of all the problems we chase after! And all because of a misunderstanding!
’Tis not ambition charms thee; ’tis a cheat 425
It’s not ambition that attracts you; it’s a deception425
Will make thee start, as H—— at his moor.
Will make you jump, just like H—— at his moor.
Dost grasp at greatness? First, know what it is:
Dost aim for greatness? First, understand what it is:
Think’st thou thy greatness in distinction lies?
Do you think your greatness comes from being different?
Not in the feather, wave it e’er so high,
Not in the feather, wave it ever so high,
By Fortune stuck, to mark us from the throng,
By chance stuck, to set us apart from the crowd,
Is glory lodged: ’tis lodged in the reverse;
Is glory hidden: it’s hidden in the opposite;
In that which joins, in that which equals, all, 432
In what connects us, in what makes us equal, all,432
The monarch and his slave;—“A deathless soul,
The king and his servant;—“An immortal soul,
Unbounded prospect, and immortal kin,
Endless potential, and eternal family,
A Father God, and brothers in the skies;”
A Father God and brothers in the sky;
Elder, indeed, in time; but less remote
Elder, yes, in time; but not that far off
In excellence, perhaps, than thought by man;
In excellence, perhaps, more than what people think;
Why greater what can fall, than what can rise?
Why is it that what can fall is greater than what can rise?
If still delirious, now, Lorenzo! go;
If you're still out of it, Lorenzo! Go;
And with thy full-blown brothers of the world, 440
And with your fully grown brothers of the world,440
Throw scorn around thee; cast it on thy slaves;
Throw scorn around you; direct it at your slaves;
Thy slaves, and equals: how scorn cast on them
Your slaves and equals: how scorn is directed at them.
Rebounds on thee! If man is mean, as man,
Rebounds on you! If a person is cruel, as a person,
Art thou a god? If Fortune makes him so,
Are you a god? If Fortune says he is,
Beware the consequence: a maxim that,
Beware the consequence: a saying that,
Which draws a monstrous picture of mankind,
Which paints a horrifying picture of humanity,
Where, in the drapery, the man is lost;
Where the man is lost in the fabric;
Externals fluttering, and the soul forgot.
Externals fluttering, and the soul forgotten.
Thy greatest glory, when disposed to boast,
Your greatest glory, when you're feeling proud,
Boast that aloud, in which thy servants share. 450
Boast about that openly, which your servants share.450
We wisely strip the steed we mean to buy:
We carefully examine the horse we intend to buy:
Judge we, in their caparisons, of men?
Judge we, in their outfits, of men?
It nought avails thee, where, but what, thou art;
It doesn’t matter where you are, but only who you are;
All the distinctions of this little life
All the differences in this short life
Are quite cutaneous, foreign to the man,
Are very surface-level, unrelated to the person,
When, through death’s straits, earth’s subtle serpents creep,
When, through death's struggles, earth's quiet snakes slither,
Which wriggle into wealth, or climb renown.
Which worm their way into wealth, or rise to fame.
As crooked Satan the forbidden tree, 458
As crooked Satan the forbidden tree,458
They leave their party-colour’d robe behind,
They leave their colorful robes behind,
All that now glitters, while they rear aloft
All that sparkles now, while they hold it up high
Their brazen crests, and hiss at us below.
Their bold crests, and hiss at us from above.
Strip them of body, too; nay, closer still,
Strip them of their body, too; no, even closer still,
Away with all, but moral, in their minds;
Away with everything except morals, in their minds;
And let what then remains, impose their name,
And let what remains then take their name,
Pronounce them weak, or worthy; great, or mean.
Pronounce them weak or worthy, great or insignificant.
And Death puts out! Dost thou demand a test,
And death puts out! Do you want a test,
A test, at once, infallible, and short,
A quick and completely reliable test,
Of real greatness? That man greatly lives, 470
Of real greatness? That man truly lives,470
Whate’er his fate, or fame, who greatly dies;
Whichever his fate or fame, he who dies greatly;
High-flush’d with hope, where heroes shall despair.
High with hope, where heroes will despair.
If this a true criterion, many courts,
If this is a true standard, many courts,
Illustrious, might afford but few grandees.
Illustrious might only provide a few high-ranking individuals.
Th’ Almighty, from his throne, on earth surveys
Th’ Almighty, from His throne, watches over the earth.
Nought greater, than an honest, humble heart;
Nothing is greater than an honest, humble heart;
An humble heart, His residence! pronounced
An humble heart, His residence! pronounced
His second seat; and rival to the skies.
His second seat; and competitor to the heavens.
The private path, the secret acts of men,
The private path, the hidden actions of people,
If noble, far the noblest of our lives! 480
If it's noble, it's by far the noblest part of our lives!480
How far above Lorenzo’s glory sits
How much higher than Lorenzo’s glory is
Th’ illustrious master of a name unknown;
The renowned master of a name that remains unknown;
Whose worth unrivall’d, and unwitness’d, loves
Whose worth is unmatched and unnoticed, loves
Life’s sacred shades, where gods converse with men;
Life’s sacred spaces, where gods talk to humans;
And Peace, beyond the world’s conceptions, smiles!
And Peace, beyond what the world can imagine, smiles!
As thou (now dark), before we part, shalt see.
As you (now dark), before we say goodbye, shall see.
But thy great soul this skulking glory scorns.
But your great soul scorns this sneaky glory.
Lorenzo’s sick, but when Lorenzo’s seen;
Lorenzo's sick, but when people see Lorenzo;
And, when he shrugs at public business, lies.
And when he shrugs off public matters, he’s lying.
Denied the public eye, the public voice, 490
Denied the public eye, the public voice,490
As if he lived on others’ breath, he dies.
As if he depended on everyone else to survive, he dies.
Fain would he make the world his pedestal; 492
Fain would he make the world his pedestal;492
Mankind the gazers, the sole figure, he.
Mankind the watchers, the one figure, he.
Knows he, that mankind praise against their will,
Knows he that people praise even when they don't want to,
And mix as much detraction as they can?
And mix in as much criticism as they can?
Knows he, that faithless Fame her whisper has,
Knows he that untrustworthy Fame has her whispers,
As well as trumpet? that his vanity
As well as trumpet? that his vanity
Is so much tickled from not hearing all?
Is it really so funny not to hear everything?
Knows this all-knower, that from itch of praise,
Knows this all-knowing one, that from the desire for praise,
Or, from an itch more sordid, when he shines, 500
Or, from a more sordid itch, when he shines,500
Taking his country by five hundred ears,
Taking his country with five hundred ears,
Senates at once admire him, and despise,
Senators both admire him and despise him,
With modest laughter lining loud applause,
With quiet laughter mixed with loud applause,
Which makes the smile more mortal to his fame?
Which makes the smile more detrimental to his fame?
His fame, which (like the mighty Cæsar), crown’d
His fame, which (like the mighty Caesar), crowned
With laurels, in full senate, greatly falls,
With honors, in full assembly, greatly descends,
By seeming friends, that honour, and destroy.
By pretending to be friends, they bring honor and cause destruction.
We rise in glory, as we sink in pride:
We rise in glory, just as we fall in pride:
Where boasting ends, there dignity begins:
Where bragging ends, dignity begins:
And yet, mistaken beyond all mistake, 510
And yet, totally mixed up beyond all confusion,510
The blind Lorenzo’s proud—of being proud;
The blind Lorenzo is proud—of being proud;
And dreams himself ascending in his fall.
And he imagines himself rising even as he falls.
An eminence, though fancied, turns the brain:
An imagined greatness can make you lose your mind.
All vice wants hellebore; but of all vice,
All vice craves hellebore; but of all vice,
Pride loudest calls, and for the largest bowl;
Pride speaks the loudest and demands the biggest reward;
Because, unlike all other vice, it flies,
Because, unlike any other vice, it takes off,
In fact, the point, in fancy most pursued.
In fact, that's the point that people often chase after.
Who court applause, oblige the world in this;
Who seeks applause from the crowd must play the game accordingly;
They gratify man’s passion to refuse.
They satisfy people's desire to deny.
Superior honour, when assumed, is lost; 520
Superior honor, when taken on, is lost;520
Even good men turn banditti, and rejoice,
Even good men become bandits and celebrate,
Like Kouli-Kan, in plunder of the proud.
Like Kouli-Kan, in the pillaging of the proud.
Though somewhat disconcerted, steady still
Though a bit unsettled, steady still
To the world’s cause, with half a face of joy,
To the world’s cause, with half a smile of joy,
Lorenzo cries—“Be, then, Ambition cast;
Lorenzo cries—“Then, Ambition cast;
Ambition’s dearer far stands unimpeach’d, 526
Ambition's worth is unquestioned,
Gay Pleasure! proud Ambition is her slave;
Gay pleasure! Proud ambition is her servant;
For her, he soars at great, and hazards ill;
For her, he flies high and takes risks.
For her, he fights, and bleeds, or overcomes;
For her, he battles, gets hurt, or triumphs;
And paves his way, with crowns, to reach her smile:
And clears his path, with crowns, to get to her smile:
Who can resist her charms?—or, should? Lorenzo!
Who can resist her charms?—or, should? Lorenzo!
What mortal shall resist, where angels yield?
What human can resist where angels give in?
Pleasure’s the mistress of ethereal powers; 533
Pleasure is the master of supernatural forces;533
For her contend the rival gods above;
For her, the competing gods above;
Pleasure’s the mistress of the world below;
Pleasure's the ruler of the world below;
And well it was for man, that Pleasure charms:
And it's true that Pleasure captivates people:
How would all stagnate, but for Pleasure’s ray!
How would everything come to a standstill without the light of Pleasure!
How would the frozen stream of action cease!
How would the frozen flow of action stop!
What is the pulse of this so busy world?
What is the heartbeat of this busy world?
The love of pleasure: that, through every vein, 540
The love of pleasure: that, through every vein,540
Throws motion, warmth; and shuts out death from life.
Throws motion, warmth, and keeps death away from life.
Though various are the tempers of mankind,
Though people have many different temperaments,
Pleasure’s gay family hold all in chains:
Pleasure's cheerful family keeps everyone bound:
Some most affect the black; and some, the fair;
Some affect the black more, while others affect the fair.
Some honest pleasure court; and some, obscene.
Some seek genuine pleasure; others pursue the vulgar.
Pleasures obscene are various, as the throng
Pleasures that are shocking come in many forms, as the crowd
Of passions, that can err in human hearts;
Of passions that can go wrong in human hearts;
Mistake their objects, or transgress their bounds.
Mistake their targets, or overstep their limits.
Think you there’s but one whoredom? Whoredom, all,
Think there’s only one kind of whoredom? Whoredom, everywhere,
But when our reason licenses delight. 550
But when our reasoning allows for pleasure.550
Dost doubt, Lorenzo? thou shalt doubt no more.
Do you doubt, Lorenzo? You won't doubt anymore.
Thy father chides thy gallantries; yet hugs
Thy father scolds your flirtations; yet hugs
An ugly, common harlot, in the dark;
An unattractive, average woman selling herself in the shadows;
A rank adulterer with others’ gold!
A shameless cheater with other people's money!
And that hag, Vengeance, in a corner, charms.
And that witch, Vengeance, in a corner, enchants.
Hatred her brothel has, as well as Love,
Hatred exists in her brothel, just as love does,
Where horrid epicures debauch in blood.
Where horrible gourmets indulge in blood.
Whate’er the motive, pleasure is the mark:
Whatever the reason, pleasure is the goal:
For her, the black assassin draws his sword;
For her, the black assassin takes out his sword;
For her, dark statesmen trim their midnight lamp, 560
For her, shady politicians adjust their late-night lamp,560
To which no single sacrifice may fall;
To which no single sacrifice may be made;
For her, the saint abstains; the miser starves;
For her, the saint holds back; the miser goes hungry;
The Stoic proud, for Pleasure, pleasure scorn’d;
The proud Stoic despises pleasure, viewing it with disdain.
For her, Affliction’s daughters grief indulge,
For her, Affliction's daughters mourn,
And find, or hope, a luxury in tears;
And discover, or wish for, a comfort in tears;
For her, guilt, shame, toil, danger, we defy;
For her, we challenge guilt, shame, hard work, and danger;
And, with an aim voluptuous, rush on death.
And, with a tempting goal, rush toward death.
Thus universal her despotic power!
Her absolute power is universal!
And as her empire wide, her praise is just.
And as her empire is vast, her praise is well-deserved.
Patron of pleasure! doater on delight! 570
Patron of pleasure! Devotee of delight!570
I am thy rival; pleasure I profess;
I am your rival; I embrace pleasure;
Pleasure the purpose of my gloomy song.
Pleasure is the purpose of my somber song.
Pleasure is nought but virtue’s gayer name;
Pleasure is nothing but a happier word for virtue;
I wrong her still, I rate her worth too low;
I still wrong her, I underestimate her worth;
Virtue the root, and pleasure is the flower;
Virtue is the root, and pleasure is the flower;
And honest Epicurus’ foes were fools.
And the enemies of honest Epicurus were fools.
But this sounds harsh, and gives the wise offence;
But this sounds harsh and offends the wise;
If o’erstrain’d wisdom still retains the name.
If overstrained wisdom still keeps its name.
How knits Austerity her cloudy brow,
How knits Austerity her cloudy brow,
And blames, as bold, and hazardous, the praise 580
And blames, as daring and risky, the praise580
Of Pleasure, to mankind, unpraised, too dear!
Of pleasure, to mankind, unappreciated, too precious!
Ye modern Stoics! hear my soft reply;
Ye modern Stoics! hear my gentle response;
Their senses men will trust: we can’t impose;
Their senses, people will trust: we can’t force it;
Or, if we could, is imposition right?
Or, if we could, is imposing fair?
Own honey sweet; but, owning, add this sting;
Own honey sweet; but, owning, add this sting;
“When mix’d with poison, it is deadly too.”
“When mixed with poison, it’s deadly too.”
Truth never was indebted to a lie.
Truth was never owed to a lie.
Is nought but virtue to be praised, as good?
Is only virtue worthy of praise as good?
Why then is health preferr’d before disease?
Why is health preferred over disease?
What nature loves is good, without our leave. 590
What nature loves is good, whether we approve or not.590
And where no future drawback cries, “Beware!”
And where no future warning shouts, “Watch out!”
Pleasure, though not from virtue, should prevail.
Pleasure, even if not from virtue, should take priority.
’Tis balm to life, and gratitude to Heaven;
It’s a relief to life, and a blessing from Heaven;
How cold our thanks for bounties unenjoy’d! 594
How cold our thanks for blessings we haven't enjoyed!594
The love of pleasure is man’s eldest-born,
The love of pleasure is humanity's oldest instinct,
Born in his cradle, living to his tomb;
Born in his cradle, living until his grave;
Wisdom, her younger sister, though more grave,
Wisdom, her younger sister, although more serious,
Was meant to minister, and not to mar,
Was meant to serve, and not to damage,
Imperial Pleasure, queen of human hearts.
Imperial Pleasure, queen of people's hearts.
Lorenzo! thou, her majesty’s renown’d,
Lorenzo! you, her majesty’s renowned,
Though uncoift, counsel, learned in the world!
Though uncouth, advice, knowledgeable about the world!
Who think’st thyself a Murray,[47] with disdain 602
Who do you think you are, a Murray,[47] looking down with disdain602
May’st look on me. Yet, my Demosthenes!
May you look at me. Yet, my Demosthenes!
Canst thou plead Pleasure’s cause as well as I?
Can you argue for Pleasure's case as well as I can?
Know’st thou her nature, purpose, parentage?
Do you know her nature, purpose, and background?
Attend my song, and thou shalt know them all;
Listen to my song, and you’ll know them all;
And know thyself; and know thyself to be
And know yourself; and know yourself to be
(Strange truth!) the most abstemious man alive.
(Strange truth!) the most self-disciplined man alive.
Tell not Calista; she will laugh thee dead;
Tell Calista, and she’ll laugh you to death;
Or send thee to her hermitage with L——. 610
Or send you to her hermitage with L——.610
Absurd presumption! Thou who never knew’st
Absurd assumption! You who never knew
A serious thought! shalt thou dare dream of joy?
A serious thought! Will you dare to dream of happiness?
No man e’er found a happy life by chance;
No one ever found a happy life by luck;
Or yawn’d it into being with a wish;
Or it was brought into existence with a yawn and a wish;
Or, with the snout of grovelling appetite,
Or, with the snout of a greedy appetite,
E’er smelt it out, and grubb’d it from the dirt.
E’er found it out and dug it from the ground.
An art it is, and must be learn’d; and learn’d
An art it is, and must be learned; and learned
With unremitting effort, or be lost;
With constant effort, or be lost;
And leaves us perfect blockheads, in our bliss.
And leaves us completely clueless, in our happiness.
The clouds may drop down titles and estates; 620
The clouds might bring down titles and estates;620
Wealth may seek us; but Wisdom must be sought;
Wealth might come to us, but we have to pursue Wisdom;
Sought before all; but (how unlike all else
Sought before everything; but (how different from everything else
We seek on earth!) ’tis never sought in vain.
We seek on earth; it’s never done in vain.
First, Pleasure’s birth, rise, strength, and grandeur, see.
First, check out the birth, rise, strength, and greatness of Pleasure.
Brought forth by Wisdom, nursed by Discipline,
Brought forth by Wisdom, nurtured by Discipline,
By Patience taught, by Perseverance crown’d,
By patience we learn, by perseverance we succeed,
She rears her head majestic; round her throne, 627
She raises her head proudly; around her throne,627
Erected in the bosom of the just,
Erected in the heart of the righteous,
Each virtue, listed, forms her manly guard.
Each virtue, as listed, serves as her strong protection.
For what are virtues? (formidable name!)
For what are virtues? (powerful name!)
What, but the fountain, or defence, of joy?
What, but the source or shield of happiness?
Why, then, commanded? Need mankind commands,
Why, then, is there a command? Does humanity need commands?
At once to merit, and to make, their bliss?—
At the same time to deserve and to create their happiness?—
Great Legislator! scarce so great, as kind! 634
Great Legislator! hardly anyone as great, as kind!634
If men are rational, and love delight,
If men are logical and enjoy pleasure,
Thy gracious law but flatters human choice;
Your kind law just flatters human choice;
In the transgression lies the penalty;
In the wrongdoing lies the punishment;
And they the most indulge, who most obey.
And those who give in the most are the ones who obey the most.
Of Pleasure, next, the final cause explore;
Of Pleasure, next, explore the ultimate purpose;
Its mighty purpose, its important end. 640
Its powerful purpose, its significant goal.640
Not to turn human brutal, but to build
Not to make humans brutal, but to build
Divine on human, Pleasure came from heaven.
Divine on human, Pleasure came from heaven.
In aid to Reason was the goddess sent;
In support of Reason, the goddess was sent;
To call up all its strength by such a charm.
To summon all its power with such a spell.
Pleasure, first, succours Virtue; in return,
Pleasure, first, supports Virtue; in return,
Virtue gives Pleasure an eternal reign.
Virtue gives Pleasure an everlasting rule.
What, but the pleasure of food, friendship, faith,
What, if not the joy of food, friendship, and faith,
Supports life natural, civil, and divine?
Supports life natural, civil, and divine?
’Tis from the pleasure of repast, we live;
It’s from the joy of feasting that we live;
’Tis from the pleasure of applause, we please; 650
It’s from the pleasure of applause that we find happiness;650
’Tis from the pleasure of belief, we pray
It’s from the joy of belief that we pray
(All prayer would cease, if unbelieved the prize):
(All prayer would stop if the prize went unacknowledged):
It serves ourselves, our species, and our God;
It serves us, our species, and our God;
And to serve more, is past the sphere of man.
And to serve more is beyond what a person can do.
Glide, then, for ever, pleasure’s sacred stream!
Glide on, then, forever, pleasure’s sacred flow!
Through Eden, as Euphrates ran, it runs,
Through Eden, as the Euphrates flowed, it flows,
And fosters every growth of happy life;
And promotes every aspect of a joyful life;
Makes a new Eden where it flows;—but such
Makes a new Eden where it flows;—but such
As must be lost, Lorenzo! by thy fall.
As must be lost, Lorenzo! by your fall.
“What mean I by thy fall?”—Thou’lt shortly see,
“What do I mean by your fall?”—You’ll see soon enough,
While Pleasure’s nature is at large display’d; 661
While Pleasure's nature is fully revealed;661
Already sung her origin, and ends.
Already sung her beginnings and conclusions.
Those glorious ends, by kind, or by degree,
Those amazing goals, whether by nature or by extent,
When Pleasure violates, ’tis then a vice,
When pleasure goes too far, it becomes a vice,
A vengeance too; it hastens into pain.
A vengeance too; it rushes into pain.
From due refreshment, life, health, reason, joy;
From proper refreshment, life, health, reason, and joy;
From wild excess, pain, grief, distraction, death;
From wild excess, pain, grief, distraction, death;
Heaven’s justice this proclaims, and that her love.
Heaven’s justice declares this, along with her love.
What greater evil can I wish my foe,
What greater harm can I wish upon my enemy,
Than his full draught of pleasure, from a cask 670
Than his full measure of pleasure, from a cask670
Unbroach’d by just authority, ungauged
Unchallenged by just authority, unmeasured
By temperance, by reason unrefined?
Through moderation, through raw reason?
A thousand demons lurk within the lee.
A thousand demons hide in the shadows.
Heaven, others, and ourselves! uninjured these,
Heaven, others, and ourselves! untouched these,
Drink deep; the deeper, then, the more divine;
Drink deeply; the deeper you go, the more divine it becomes;
Angels are angels, from indulgence there;
Angels are angels, from indulgence there;
’Tis unrepenting pleasure makes a god.
It's unrepentant pleasure that creates a god.
Dost think thyself a god from other joys?
Do you think you're a god compared to other pleasures?
A victim rather! shortly sure to bleed.
A victim, indeed! It won't be long before they start to bleed.
The wrong must mourn: can Heaven’s appointments fail?
The guilty must grieve: can God's plans ever go wrong?
Can man outwit Omnipotence? strike out 681
Can man outsmart Omnipotence? strike out681
A self-wrought happiness unmeant by Him
A happiness created by oneself that wasn't intended by Him
Who made us, and the world we would enjoy?
Who created us and the world we would love?
Who forms an instrument, ordains from whence
Who creates an instrument decides where it comes from.
Its dissonance, or harmony, shall rise.
Its discord, or harmony, will rise.
Heaven bid the soul this mortal frame inspire!
Heaven wants the soul to energize this mortal body!
Bid virtue’s ray divine inspire the soul
Bid virtue’s ray divine inspire the soul
With unprecarious flows of vital joy;
With steady streams of essential joy;
And, without breathing, man as well might hope
And, without taking a breath, a person might also hope
For life, as, without piety, for peace. 690
For life, just as without devotion, for peace.690
“Is virtue, then, and piety the same?”—
“Is virtue and piety the same thing?”—
No; piety is more; ’tis virtue’s source;
No; piety is more; it's the source of virtue;
Mother of every worth, as that of joy.
Mother of every value, just like that of happiness.
Men of the world this doctrine ill digest;
Men of the world find this doctrine hard to accept;
They smile at piety; yet boast aloud 695
They smile at religious devotion; yet brag openly
Good will to men; nor know they strive to part
Good will to everyone; nor do they know they try to divide
What Nature joins; and thus confute themselves.
What Nature connects; and thus contradict themselves.
With piety begins all good on earth;
With devotion starts all goodness on earth;
’Tis the first-born of rationality.
It's the first-born of rationality.
Conscience, her first law broken, wounded lies;
Conscience, her first law broken, hurtful lies;
Enfeebled, lifeless, impotent to good;
Weak, lifeless, powerless for good;
A feign’d affection bounds her utmost power. 702
A fake affection limits her full power.702
Some we can’t love, but for th’ Almighty’s sake;
Some we can’t love, but for the Almighty’s sake;
A foe to God was ne’er true friend to man;
A person who is an enemy of God was never a true friend to humanity;
Some sinister intent taints all he does;
Some dark motives cloud everything he does;
And, in his kindest actions, he’s unkind.
And in his kindest actions, he's actually unkind.
On piety, humanity is built;
Piety is the foundation of humanity;
And, on humanity, much happiness;
And, to humanity, much happiness;
And yet still more on piety itself.
And yet there’s even more to say about piety itself.
A soul in commerce with her God, is heaven; 710
A soul that's in touch with God is in heaven;710
Feels not the tumults and the shocks of life;
Feels not the chaos and the shocks of life;
The whirls of passions, and the strokes of heart.
The twists and turns of emotions and the beats of the heart.
A Deity believed, is joy begun;
A deity believed in is the start of joy;
A Deity adored, is joy advanced;
A worshipped God brings joy.
A Deity beloved, is joy matured.
A beloved Deity is mature joy.
Each branch of piety delight inspires;
Each branch of devotion brings joy;
Faith builds a bridge from this world to the next,
Faith builds a bridge from this world to the next,
O’er death’s dark gulf, and all its horror hides;
O'er death's dark abyss, and all its terrors conceal;
Praise, the sweet exhalation of our joy,
Praise, the beautiful expression of our happiness,
That joy exalts, and makes it sweeter still; 720
That joy lifts you up and makes it even sweeter; 720
Prayer ardent opens heaven, lets down a stream
Prayer fervently opens up heaven, allowing a flow to come down.
Of glory on the consecrated hour
Of glory at the sacred hour
Of man, in audience with the Deity.
Of man, in the presence of God.
Who worships the great God, that instant joins
Whoever worships the great God, at that moment joins
The first in heaven, and sets his foot on hell.
The first in heaven, and steps into hell.
Lorenzo! when wast thou at church before?
Lorenzo! When were you last at church?
Thou think’st the service long: but is it just?
You think the service is long: but is it fair?
Though just, unwelcome: thou hadst rather tread
Though fair, unwelcome: you'd rather walk
Unhallow’d ground; the Muse, to win thine ear, 729
Unholy ground; Muse, to capture your attention,729
Must take an air less solemn. She complies.
Must take a less serious approach. She agrees.
Good conscience! at the sound the world retires;
Good conscience! At that sound, the world retreats;
Verse disaffects it, and Lorenzo smiles:
Verse turns it away, and Lorenzo smiles:
Yet has she her seraglio full of charms;
Yet she has her harem full of charms;
And such as age shall heighten, not impair.
And as we grow older, it should enhance us, not weaken us.
Art thou dejected? Is thy mind o’ercast?
Are you feeling down? Is your mind clouded?
Amid her fair ones, thou the fairest choose,
Amid her beautiful ones, you are the most beautiful choice,
To chase thy gloom.—“Go, fix some weighty truth;
To chase your gloom.—“Go, establish some important truth;
Chain down some passion; do some generous good;
Chain down some passion; do some generous good;
Teach ignorance to see, or grief to smile;
Teach ignorance to see, or sadness to smile;
Correct thy friend; befriend thy greatest foe; 740
Correct your friend; befriend your greatest enemy; 740
Or with warm heart, and confidence divine,
Or with a warm heart and faith in the divine,
Spring up, and lay strong hold on Him who made thee.”
“Rise up, and firmly grasp onto the one who created you.”
Thy gloom is scatter’d, sprightly spirits flow;
Your sadness is gone, cheerful vibes are flowing;
Though wither’d is thy vine, and harp unstrung.
Though your vine is withered and your harp is out of tune.
Dost call the bowl, the viol, and the dance,
Dost call the bowl, the viol, and the dance,
Loud mirth, mad laughter? Wretched comforters!
Loud laughter, crazy joy? What a terrible comfort!
Physicians! more than half of thy disease.
Physicians! More than half of your disease.
Laughter, though never censured yet as sin
Laughter, though never condemned as a sin
(Pardon a thought that only seems severe),
(Pardon a thought that might sound harsh),
Is half immoral: Is it much indulged? 750
Is half immoral? Is it often indulged? 750
By venting spleen, or dissipating thought,
By expressing frustration or letting thoughts flow,
It shows a scorner, or it makes a fool;
It shows someone who mocks, or it makes a fool;
And sins, as hurting others, or ourselves.
And sins, like hurting others or ourselves.
’Tis pride, or emptiness, applies the straw,
’It's pride, or emptiness, that applies the straw,
That tickles little minds to mirth effuse;
That makes little minds burst out with laughter;
Of grief approaching, the portentous sign!
Of grief coming, the ominous sign!
The house of laughter makes a house of woe.
The house of laughter creates a home of sorrow.
A man triumphant is a monstrous sight;
A victorious man is a terrifying sight;
A man dejected is a sight as mean.
A dejected man is a sight as miserable.
What cause for triumph, where such ills abound? 760
What reason is there to celebrate when there are so many problems around? 760
What for dejection, where presides a Power,
What’s the point of feeling down when there's a higher power at work,
Who call’d us into being to be bless’d?
Who called us into existence to be blessed?
So grieve, as conscious, grief may rise to joy; 763
So grieve, knowing that your sadness can turn into joy;763
So joy, as conscious, joy to grief may fall.
So joy, as awareness, can turn into grief.
Most true, a wise man never will be sad;
Most definitely, a wise person will never be sad;
But neither will sonorous, bubbling mirth,
But neither will loud, bubbling laughter,
A shallow stream of happiness betray:
A shallow stream of happiness betrays:
Too happy to be sportive, he’s serene.
Too happy to be active, he’s calm.
Yet would’st thou laugh (but at thy own expense),
Yet you would laugh (but at your own expense),
This counsel strange should I presume to give— 770
This strange advice I should dare to offer—770
“Retire, and read thy Bible, to be gay.”
“Relax, and read your Bible, to feel happy.”
There truths abound of sovereign aid to peace;
There are many truths about the government's help for peace;
Ah! do not prize them less, because inspired,
Ah! don’t value them any less just because they were inspired,
As thou, and thine, are apt and proud to do.
As you and yours are likely and eager to do.
If not inspired, that pregnant page had stood,
If it wasn't inspired, that blank page had remained,
Time’s treasure, and the wonder of the wise!
Time is precious, and it's a marvel to the wise!
Thou think’st, perhaps, thy soul alone at stake;
You might think that only your soul is at stake;
Alas!—should men mistake thee for a fool;—
Alas!—if people think you’re a fool;—
What man of taste for genius, wisdom, truth,
What person with appreciation for creativity, knowledge, and honesty,
Though tender of thy fame, could interpose? 780
Though careful of your reputation, could you step in?
Believe me, sense here acts a double part,
Believe me, here sense plays a double role,
And the true critic is a Christian too.
And the real critic is a Christian as well.
But these, thou think’st, are gloomy paths to joy.—
But you think these are dark paths to happiness.—
True joy in sunshine ne’er was found at first;
True joy in sunshine was never found right away;
They, first, themselves offend, who greatly please;
They offend themselves first, who please greatly;
And travel only gives us sound repose.
And travel only brings us true relaxation.
Heaven sells all pleasure; effort is the price;
Heaven offers all pleasure; effort is the cost;
The joys of conquest, are the joys of man;
The joys of conquest are the joys of humanity;
And glory the victorious laurel spreads
And glory the victorious laurel spreads
O’er pleasure’s pure, perpetual, placid stream. 790
Over pleasure's clear, endless, calm stream.790
There is a time, when toil must be preferr’d,
There comes a time when hard work must be prioritized,
Or joy, by mistimed fondness, is undone.
Or joy, through poorly timed affection, is ruined.
A man of pleasure, is a man of pains.
A man who seeks pleasure is a man who faces pain.
Thou wilt not take the trouble to be blest.
You won’t bother to be blessed.
False joys, indeed, are born from want of thought;
False joys, in fact, come from a lack of reflection;
From thoughts full bent, and energy, the true;
From focused thoughts and energy, the truth;
And that demands a mind in equal poise, 797
And that requires a mind that is equally balanced,797
Remote from gloomy grief, and glaring joy.
Remote from gloomy grief and glaring joy.
Much joy not only speaks small happiness,
Much joy not only expresses small happiness,
But happiness that shortly must expire.
But happiness that will soon end.
Can joy, unbottom’d in reflection, stand?
Can joy, ungrounded in reflection, stand?
And, in a tempest, can reflection live?
And, in a storm, can reflection survive?
Can joy, like thine, secure itself an hour?
Can joy, like yours, hold on for an hour?
Can joy, like thine, meet accident unshock’d? 804
Can joy, like yours, face surprise without being shaken? 804
Or ope the door to honest poverty?
Or open the door to honest poverty?
Or talk with threatening death, and not turn pale?
Or speak with impending death and not lose your color?
In such a world, and such a nature, these
In a world like this, with a nature like this, these
Are needful fundamentals of delight:
Are essential basics of joy:
These fundamentals give delight indeed;
These basics truly bring joy;
Delight, pure, delicate, and durable; 810
Delightful, pure, delicate, and durable; 810
Delight, unshaken, masculine, divine;
Joyful, steadfast, manly, heavenly;
A constant, and a sound, but serious joy.
A steady, yet deep and meaningful joy.
Is joy the daughter of severity?
Is joy the result of hardship?
It is:—yet far my doctrine from severe.
It is:—but my teachings are far from strict.
“Rejoice for ever:” it becomes a man;
“Rejoice forever:” it suits a person;
Exalts, and sets him nearer to the gods.
Exalts and brings him closer to the gods.
“Rejoice for ever!” Nature cries, “Rejoice!”
"Celebrate forever!" Nature calls, "Celebrate!"
And drinks to man, in her nectareous cup,
And drinks to man, in her sweet cup,
Mix’d up of delicates for every sense;
Mix of delicacies for all the senses;
To the great Founder of the bounteous feast, 820
To the great Founder of the generous feast,820
Drinks glory, gratitude, eternal praise;
Cheers to glory, gratitude, and eternal praise;
And he that will not pledge her, is a churl.
And anyone who won’t promise to support her is rude.
Ill firmly to support, good fully taste,
Ill firmly to support, good fully taste,
Is the whole science of felicity:
Is the entire science of happiness:
Yet sparing pledge: her bowl is not the best
Yet a modest promise: her bowl isn't the best
Mankind can boast.—“A rational repast;
Humanity can boast.—“A rational meal;
Exertion, vigilance, a mind in arms,
Exertion, alertness, a mind ready for action,
A military discipline of thought,
A military mindset,
To foil temptation in the doubtful field;
To resist temptation in uncertain territory;
And ever-waking ardour for the right.” 830
And a constantly burning passion for what is right.830
’Tis these, first give, then guard, a cheerful heart. 831
It’s these, first give, then protect, a cheerful heart.831
Nought that is right, think little; well aware,
Naught that is right, think small; fully aware,
What reason bids, God bids; by His command
What reason says, God says; by His command
How aggrandized, the smallest thing we do!
How exaggerated is the smallest thing we do!
Thus, nothing is insipid to the wise;
Thus, nothing is dull to the wise;
To thee, insipid all, but what is mad;
To you, everything is boring, except for what is crazy;
Joys season’d high, and tasting strong of guilt.
Joys that are intense and feel heavy with guilt.
“Mad! (thou reply’st, with indignation fired);
“Mad! (you reply, filled with indignation);
Of ancient sages proud to tread the steps,
Of ancient wise people proud to walk the path,
I follow Nature.”—Follow Nature still, 840
I follow Nature.” —Still Follow Nature, 840
But look it be thine own: is Conscience, then,
But look, it's your own: is conscience, then,
No part of nature? Is she not supreme?
No part of nature? Isn't she supreme?
Thou regicide! Oh, raise her from the dead!
You killer of kings! Oh, bring her back to life!
Then, follow Nature; and resemble God.
Then, follow nature and be like God.
When, spite of Conscience, pleasure is pursued,
When, despite what one's conscience says, pleasure is chased,
Man’s nature is unnaturally pleased:
Man's nature is unnaturally happy:
And what’s unnatural, is painful too
And what's unnatural is also painful.
At intervals, and must disgust even thee!
At times, it must make you feel disgusted too!
The fact thou know’st; but not, perhaps, the cause.
You know the fact, but maybe not the reason.
Virtue’s foundations with the world’s were laid; 850
Virtue's foundations were established alongside the world's; 850
Heaven mix’d her with our make, and twisted close
Heaven blended her into our creation and intertwined closely
Her sacred interests with the strings of life.
Her sacred interests tied to the strings of life.
Who breaks her awful mandate, shocks himself,
Who breaks her terrible command, shocks himself,
His better self: and is it greater pain,
His better self: and is it a greater pain,
Our soul should murmur, or our dust repine?
Our soul should complain, or should our remains be unhappy?
And one, in their eternal war, must bleed.
And in their never-ending battle, one must bleed.
If one must suffer, which should least be spared?
If someone has to suffer, what should be spared the least?
The pains of mind surpass the pains of sense:
The suffering of the mind is greater than the suffering of the body:
Ask, then, the gout, what torment is in guilt.
Ask the gout, what pain comes from guilt.
The joys of sense to mental joys are mean: 860
The pleasures of the senses are nothing compared to mental pleasures:860
Sense on the present only feeds; the soul
Sense on the present only feeds; the soul
On past, and future, forages for joy.
On past and future quests for happiness.
’Tis hers, by retrospect, through time to range;
It’s hers, by looking back, to explore time;
And forward time’s great sequel to survey.
And look ahead to see what happens next in time.
Could human courts take vengeance on the mind, 865
Could human courts seek revenge on the mind,865
Axes might rust, and racks and gibbets fall:
Axes can rust, and racks and gallows can collapse:
Guard, then, thy mind, and leave the rest to fate.
Guard your mind, and let the rest be determined by fate.
Lorenzo! wilt thou never be a man?
Lorenzo! Will you never grow up?
The man is dead, who for the body lives,
The man is dead, who lives only for the body,
Lured, by the beating of his pulse, to list
Lured by the beating of his heart, to list
With every lust, that wars against his peace;
With every desire that fights against his peace;
And sets him quite at variance with himself. 872
And makes him completely inconsistent with himself.872
Thyself, first, know; then love: a self there is
Thyself, first, know; then love: a self there is
Of Virtue fond, that kindles at her charms.
Of virtue fond, that ignites at her charms.
A self there is, as fond of every vice,
A self exists, just as eager for every vice,
While every virtue wounds it to the heart:
While every virtue strikes at its heart:
Humility degrades it, Justice robs,
Humility weakens it, Justice steals,
Bless’d Bounty beggars it, fair Truth betrays,
Blessed generosity begs for it, while fair truth deceives.
And godlike Magnanimity destroys.
And godlike generosity destroys.
This self, when rival to the former, scorn; 880
This self, when competing with the previous one, shows disdain;880
When not in competition, kindly treat,
When not competing, please be respectful,
Defend it, feed it:—but when Virtue bids,
Defend it, nurture it:—but when Virtue commands,
Toss it, or to the fowls, or to the flames.
Toss it, or feed it to the birds, or burn it.
And why? ’Tis love of pleasure bids thee bleed;
And why? It's the love of pleasure that makes you suffer;
Comply, or own self-love extinct, or blind.
Comply, or lose your sense of self-love, or remain oblivious.
For what is vice? self-love in a mistake:
For what is vice? It's self-love gone wrong:
A poor blind merchant buying joys too dear.
A poor blind merchant buying joys that are too expensive.
And virtue, what? ’tis self-love in her wits,
And virtue, what? It’s just self-love in her cleverness,
Quite skilful in the market of delight.
Quite skillful in the market of pleasure.
Self-love’s good sense is love of that dread Power, 890
Self-love’s good sense is love of that terrifying Force,890
From whom herself, and all she can enjoy.
From whom she herself, and everything she enjoys.
Other self-love is but disguised self-hate;
Other self-love is just hidden self-hate;
More mortal than the malice of our foes;
More human than the hatred of our enemies;
A self-hate, now, scarce felt; then felt full sore,
A self-hate, now, barely felt; then felt deeply painful,
When being, cursed; extinction, loud implored;
When being cursed; extinction loudly begged;
And every thing preferr’d to what we are.
And everything is preferred to who we are.
Yet this self-love Lorenzo makes his choice;
Yet this self-love, Lorenzo, makes his choice;
And, in this choice triumphant, boasts of joy.
And in this victorious choice, it proudly celebrates joy.
How is his want of happiness betray’d, 899
How is his lack of happiness revealed,899
By disaffection to the present hour!
By dissatisfaction with the present moment!
Imagination wanders far afield:
Imagination roams far and wide:
The future pleases: why? the present pains.—
The future brings joy: why? The present is a struggle.—
“But that’s a secret.” Yes, which all men know;
“But that’s a secret.” Yes, which everyone knows;
And know from thee, discover’d unawares.
And know from you, discovered without realizing.
Thy ceaseless agitation, restless roll
Your endless restlessness, constant motion
From cheat to cheat, impatient of a pause;
From one cheat to another, restless with impatience for a break;
What is it?—’tis the cradle of the soul,
What is it?—it’s the cradle of the soul,
From Instinct sent, to rock her in disease,
From instinct sent, to rock her in sickness,
Which her physician, Reason, will not cure.
Which her doctor, Reason, will not fix.
A poor expedient! yet thy best; and while 910
A bad solution! But it’s the best you have; and while910
It mitigates thy pain, it owns it too.
It eases your pain, it owns it too.
Such are Lorenzo’s wretched remedies!
Lorenzo's terrible remedies!
The weak have remedies; the wise have joys.
The weak have solutions; the wise have happiness.
Superior wisdom is superior bliss.
Greater wisdom is greater happiness.
And what sure mark distinguishes the wise?
And what clear sign sets the wise apart?
Consistent wisdom ever wills the same;
Consistent wisdom always wants the same thing;
Thy fickle wish is ever on the wing.
Your changeable desire is always in motion.
Sick of herself, is Folly’s character,
Sick of herself, is Folly’s character,
As Wisdom’s is, a modest self-applause.
As Wisdom is, a humble self-praise.
A change of evils is thy good supreme; 920
A change of problems is your ultimate good;920
Nor, but in motion, canst thou find thy rest.
Nor can you find your rest except in motion.
Man’s greatest strength is shown in standing still.
Man's greatest strength is shown by being steadfast.
The first sure symptom of a mind in health,
The first clear sign of a healthy mind,
Is rest of heart, and pleasure felt at home.
Is peace of heart, and joy felt at home.
False pleasure from abroad her joys imports;
False joy from outside brings her happiness;
Rich from within, and self-sustain’d, the true.
Rich from within and self-sustaining, the true.
The true is fix’d, and solid as a rock;
The truth is fixed and solid as a rock;
Slippery the false, and tossing, as the wave.
Slippery is the false, and it's tossing like the wave.
This, a wild wanderer on earth, like Cain;
This, a restless wanderer on earth, like Cain;
That, like the fabled, self-enamour’d boy,[48] 930
That, like the mythical, self-obsessed boy,[48]930
Home-contemplation her supreme delight;
Home contemplation was her joy;
She dreads an interruption from without, 932
She fears an interruption from outside,932
Smit with her own condition; and the more
Smit with her own condition; and the more
Intense she gazes, still it charms the more.
She gazes intensely, yet it becomes even more charming.
No man is happy, till he thinks, on earth
No man is happy until he reflects on life on Earth.
There breathes not a more happy than himself:
There isn’t anyone happier than he is:
Then envy dies, and love o’erflows on all;
Then envy disappears, and love pours out on everyone;
And love o’erflowing makes an angel here.
And overflowing love creates an angel here.
Such angels, all, entitled to repose
Such angels are all entitled to rest.
On Him who governs fate. Though tempest frowns, 940
On Him who controls destiny. Even when storms threaten, 940
Though nature shakes, how soft to lean on Heaven!
Though nature trembles, how gentle it is to lean on Heaven!
To lean on Him, on whom archangels lean!
To rely on Him, the one whom archangels trust!
With inward eyes, and silent as the grave,
With eyes closed and quiet as a grave,
They stand, collecting every beam of thought,
They stand, gathering all their thoughts.
Till their hearts kindle with divine delight:
Till their hearts spark with divine joy:
For all their thoughts, like angels, seen of old
For all their thoughts, like angels, seen long ago
In Israel’s dream, come from, and go to, heaven.
In Israel's dream, come from, and go to, heaven.
Hence are they studious of sequester’d scenes;
Hence, they are eager for secluded places;
While noise, and dissipation, comfort thee.
While noise and distraction comfort you.
Were all men happy, revellings would cease, 950
Were everyone happy, celebrations would stop,950
That opiate for inquietude within.
That remedy for inner restlessness.
Lorenzo! never man was truly blest,
Lorenzo! No man has ever been truly blessed,
But it composed, and gave him such a cast,
But it composed, and gave him such a look,
As folly might mistake for want of joy.
As foolishness might confuse itself with a lack of happiness.
A cast, unlike the triumph of the proud;
A cast, unlike the success of the arrogant;
A modest aspect, and a smile at heart.
A humble appearance, and a genuine smile.
O for a joy from thy Philander’s spring!
O for a joy from your Philander’s spring!
A spring perennial, rising in the breast,
A spring perennial, growing in the heart,
And permanent, as pure! no turbid stream
And permanent, as pure! no cloudy stream
Of rapturous exultation, swelling high; 960
Of great joy, rising high;
Which, like land floods, impetuous pour a while,
Which, like floods on land, rush in suddenly for a time,
Then sink at once, and leave us in the mire.
Then just sink down and leave us stuck in the mud.
What does the man, who transient joy prefers?
What does the man prefer, who values fleeting happiness?
What, but prefer the bubbles to the stream?
What, would you rather have bubbles than a stream?
Vain are all sudden sallies of delight;
Vain are all sudden bursts of joy;
Convulsions of a weak, distemper’d joy. 966
Convulsions of a fragile, troubled happiness.966
Joy’s a fix’d state; a tenure, not a start.
Joy is a stable state; it’s something you hold onto, not just a beginning.
Bliss there is none, but unprecarious bliss:
Bliss doesn’t exist, except for secure bliss:
That is the gem: sell all, and purchase that.
That’s the key: sell everything and buy that.
Why go a-begging to contingencies,
Why beg for contingencies,
Not gain’d with ease, nor safely loved, if gain’d?
Not easily earned, nor securely loved, if earned?
At good fortuitous, draw back, and pause;
At a fortunate moment, step back and take a break;
Suspect it; what thou canst insure, enjoy; 973
Suspect it; what you can ensure, enjoy;973
And nought but what thou givest thyself, is sure.
And nothing but what you give yourself is certain.
Reason perpetuates joy that Reason gives,
Reason fuels the joy that Reason provides,
And makes it as immortal as herself:
And makes it as eternal as she is:
To mortals, nought immortal, but their worth.
To mortals, nothing is immortal except their value.
Worth, conscious worth! should absolutely reign;
Worth, self-awareness of value! should definitely be in charge;
And other joys ask leave for their approach;
And other joys seek permission to come near;
Nor, unexamined, ever leave obtain. 980
Nor, unexamined, ever leave to obtain. 980
Thou art all anarchy; a mob of joys
You all are chaos; a crowd of pleasures.
Wage war, and perish in intestine broils;
Wage war and perish in internal conflicts;
Not the least promise of internal peace!
Not the least promise of inner peace!
No bosom-comfort, or unborrow’d bliss!
No comfort from loved ones, or borrowed happiness!
Thy thoughts are vagabonds; all outward-bound,
Your thoughts are restless; always looking outward,
’Mid sands, and rocks, and storms, to cruise for pleasure;
’Mid sands, rocks, and storms, to sail for fun;
If gain’d, dear-bought; and better miss’d than gain’d.
If it's hard-earned, it's not worth having; it's better to miss out than to have it.
Much pain must expiate, what much pain procured.
Much pain must atone for what much pain caused.
Fancy, and Sense, from an infected shore,
Fancy, and Sense, from a contaminated shore,
Thy cargo bring; and pestilence the prize. 990
Your cargo has arrived; and disease is the reward. 990
Then, such thy thirst (insatiable thirst!
Then, such your thirst (unquenchable thirst!
By fond indulgence but inflamed the more!),
By kind indulgence, but it only fueled the fire more!
Fancy still cruises, when poor Sense is tired.
Fancy still cruises when poor Sense is tired.
Imagination is the Paphian shop,
Imagination is the creative space,
Where feeble happiness, like Vulcan, lame,
Where weak happiness, like Vulcan, is crippled,
Bids foul ideas, in their dark recess,
Bids bad ideas, hidden in their dark corners,
And hot as hell (which kindled the black fires),
And hot as hell (which sparked the black flames),
With wanton art, those fatal arrows form,
With reckless skill, those deadly arrows take shape,
Which murder all thy time, health, wealth, and fame.
Which destroys all your time, health, wealth, and reputation.
Would’st thou receive them, other thoughts there are,
Would you accept them, there are other thoughts,
On angel-wing, descending from above, 1001
On angel wings, coming down, 1001
Which these, with art divine, would counterwork,
Which these, through divine skill, would overcome,
And form celestial armour for thy peace.
And create heavenly armor for your peace.
In this is seen Imagination’s guilt;
In this, we can see the guilt of Imagination;
But who can count her follies? She betrays thee,
But who can keep track of her mistakes? She betrays you,
To think in grandeur there is something great.
To think big is something amazing.
For works of curious art, and ancient fame,
For pieces of intriguing art and old renown,
Thy genius hungers, elegantly pain’d;
Your genius craves, elegantly pained;
And foreign climes must cater for thy taste.
And foreign lands must accommodate your taste.
Hence, what disaster!—Though the price was paid, 1010
Hence, what a disaster!—Even though the price was paid,1010
That persecuting priest, the Turk of Rome,
That persecuting priest, the Turk of Rome,
Whose foot (ye gods!) though cloven, must be kiss’d,
Whose foot (oh gods!) even if split, must be kissed,
Detain’d thy dinner on the Latian shore;
Detained your dinner on the Latin shore;
(Such is the fate of honest Protestants!)
(Such is the fate of honest Protestants!)
And poor Magnificence is starved to death.
And poor Magnificence is being starved to death.
Hence just resentment, indignation, ire!—
Just resentment, indignation, anger!—
Be pacified: if outward things are great,
Be calm: if external matters are significant,
’Tis magnanimity great things to scorn;
It’s noble to disregard great things;
Pompous expenses, and parades august,
Pompous expenses and grand parades,
And courts, that insalubrious soil to peace. 1020
And courts, that unhealthy environment for peace.1020
True happiness ne’er enter’d at an eye;
True happiness never entered through an eye;
True happiness resides in things unseen.
True happiness lies in things you can't see.
No smiles of Fortune ever bless’d the bad,
No smiles of Fortune ever blessed the wicked,
Nor can her frowns rob Innocence of joys;
Nor can her frowns take away Innocence's joys;
That jewel wanting, triple crowns are poor:
That missing jewel makes even triple crowns worthless:
So tell his Holiness, and be revenged.
So tell his Holiness, and get your revenge.
Pleasure, we both agree, is man’s chief good;
Pleasure, we both agree, is the main good for humanity;
Our only contest, what deserves the name.
Our only real competition, which actually deserves the title.
Give Pleasure’s name to nought, but what has pass’d
Give Pleasure’s name to nothing but what has happened.
Th’ authentic seal of Reason (which like Yorke,[49] 1030
Th’ authentic seal of Reason (which like Yorke,[49]1030
Demurs on what it passes), and defies
Demurs on what it passes), and defies
The tooth of time; when past, a pleasure still;
The tooth of time; when past, a pleasure still;
Dearer on trial, lovelier for its age, 1033
Dearer on trial, lovelier for its age,1033
And doubly to be prized, as it promotes
And is even more valuable because it encourages
Our future, while it forms our present, joy.
Our future, as it shapes our present, brings us joy.
Some joys the future overcast; and some
Some joys the future clouds; and some
Throw all their beams that way, and gild the tomb.
Throw all their lights that way, and decorate the tomb.
Some joys endear eternity; some give
Some joys make eternity feel special; some give
Abhorr’d annihilation dreadful charms.
Horrifying destruction has terrible allure.
Are rival joys contending for thy choice? 1040
Are competing joys fighting for your choice?1040
Consult thy whole existence, and be safe;
Consult your entire existence and be safe;
That oracle will put all doubt to flight.
That oracle will dispel all doubt.
Short is the lesson, though my lecture long;
Short is the lesson, even though my talk is long;
Be good—and let Heaven answer for the rest.
Be good—and let fate take care of the rest.
Yet, with a sigh o’er all mankind, I grant
Yet, with a sigh over all humanity, I concede
In this our day of proof, our land of hope,
In today's world of challenges, our land of dreams,
The good man has his clouds that intervene;
The good person has their challenges that come up;
Clouds, that obscure his sublunary day,
Clouds that cover his earthly day,
But never conquer: even the best must own,
But never conquer: even the best have to admit,
Patience, and resignation, are the pillars 1050
Patience and acceptance are the pillars1050
Of human peace on earth. The pillars, these:
Of human peace on earth. The pillars are these:
But those of Seth not more remote from thee,
But those of Seth are not any further away from you,
Till this heroic lesson thou hast learn’d;
Till you have learned this heroic lesson;
To frown at pleasure, and to smile in pain.
To scowl at happiness and to grin through the hurt.
Fired at the prospect of unclouded bliss,
Fired up by the idea of pure happiness,
Heaven in reversion, like the sun, as yet
Heaven is like the sun, still in the process of returning.
Beneath th’ horizon, cheers us in this world;
Beneath the horizon, we are welcomed in this world;
It sheds, on souls susceptible of light,
It shines on souls open to light,
The glorious dawn of our eternal day.
The amazing start of our forever day.
“This (says Lorenzo) is a fair harangue: 1060
“This (says Lorenzo) is a great speech:1060
But can harangues blow back strong nature’s stream;
But can speeches turn back the strong current of nature?
Or stem the tide Heaven pushes through our veins,
Or stop the flood that Heaven sends through our veins,
Which sweeps away man’s impotent resolves,
Which wipes away man's powerless intentions,
And lays his labour level with the world?”
And makes his work equal to everyone else’s?”
Themselves men make their comment on mankind;
Men express their views on humanity.
And think nought is, but what they find at home:
And they believe nothing exists except what they find at home:
Thus, weakness to chimera turns the truth. 1067
Thus, weakness to the chimera reveals the truth.1067
Nothing romantic has the Muse prescribed.
Nothing romantic has the Muse suggested.
The mortal man; and wretched was the sight.
The human being; and it was a pitiful sight.
To balance that, to comfort, and exalt,
To counter that, to soothe, and uplift,
Now see the man immortal: him, I mean,
Now look at the man who is immortal: him, I mean,
Who lives as such; whose heart, full bent on heaven,
Who lives like this; whose heart, focused entirely on heaven,
Leans all that way, his bias to the stars.
Leans all that way, his bias toward the stars.
The world’s dark shades, in contrast set, shall raise
The dark shades of the world, in contrast, will rise
His lustre more; though bright, without a foil:
His shine is even more brilliant, though it stands out without a contrast.
Observe his awful portrait, and admire;
Observe his terrible portrait, and admire;
Nor stop at wonder; imitate, and live.
Nor stop at wonder; mimic, and live.
Some angel guide my pencil, while I draw,
Some angel guides my pencil while I draw,
What nothing less than angel can exceed! 1080
What could possibly exceed an angel!1080
A man on earth devoted to the skies;
A man on earth dedicated to the heavens;
Like ships in sea, while in, above the world.
Like ships at sea, while being above the world.
With aspect mild, and elevated eye,
With a gentle demeanor and an uplifted gaze,
Behold him seated on a mount serene,
Behold him sitting on a peaceful mountain,
Above the fogs of sense, and passion’s storm;
Above the mists of feeling and the chaos of emotions;
All the black cares, and tumults, of this life,
All the worries and chaos of this life,
Like harmless thunders, breaking at his feet,
Like harmless rumbles of thunder, crashing at his feet,
Excite his pity, not impair his peace.
Excite his sympathy, not disturb his peace.
Earth’s genuine sons, the sceptred, and the slave,
Earth’s true sons, the rulers and the oppressed,
A mingled mob! a wandering herd! he sees, 1090
A mixed crowd! a wandering group! he sees,1090
Bewilder’d in the vale; in all unlike!
Bewildered in the valley; completely different!
His full reverse in all! What higher praise?
His complete turnaround in every way! What greater compliment is there?
What stronger demonstration of the right?
What stronger proof of the right?
The present all their care; the future, his.
The present gets all their attention; the future, his.
When public welfare calls, or private want,
When public welfare is needed, or private desire,
They give to fame; his bounty he conceals.
They give for recognition; he keeps his generosity hidden.
Their virtues varnish nature; his exalt.
Their virtues enhance nature; his elevates it.
Mankind’s esteem they court; and he, his own.
Mankind seeks their approval; and he seeks his own.
Theirs, the wild chase of false felicities;
Theirs is the frantic pursuit of false happiness;
His, the composed possession of the true. 1100
His, the calm ownership of the truth.1100
Alike throughout is his consistent peace,
Alike throughout is his consistent peace,
All of one colour, and an even thread;
All one color and a consistent thread;
While party-colour’d shreds of happiness,
While colorful pieces of happiness,
With hideous gaps between, patch up for them
With ugly gaps in between, fix them up.
A madman’s robe; each puff of Fortune blows
A crazy person's robe; every gust of luck blows
The tatters by, and shows their nakedness.
The rags fall away and reveal their nakedness.
He sees with other eyes than theirs: where they
He looks with different eyes than they do: where they
Behold a sun, he spies a Deity;
Behold the sun, he sees a god;
What makes them only smile, makes him adore.
What makes them smile just a little makes him fall in love.
Where they see mountains, he but atoms sees; 1110
Where they see mountains, he only sees atoms;1110
An empire, in his balance, weighs a grain.
An empire, in his balance, weighs a grain.
They things terrestrial worship, as divine:
They worship earthly things as if they were divine:
His hopes immortal blow them by, as dust,
His hopes are blown away like dust,
That dims his sight, and shortens his survey,
That dulls his vision and limits his perspective,
Which longs, in infinite, to lose all bound.
Which longs, endlessly, to lose all limits.
Titles and honours (if they prove his fate)
Titles and honors (if they determine his destiny)
He lays aside to find his dignity;
He sets aside everything to regain his dignity;
No dignity they find in aught besides.
No dignity do they find in anything else.
They triumph in externals (which conceal
They succeed in appearances (which hide
Man’s real glory), proud of an eclipse. 1120
Man’s true glory), proud of an eclipse.1120
Himself too much he prizes to be proud,
He values himself too highly to be arrogant,
And nothing thinks so great in man, as man.
And nothing thinks as highly of humanity as humanity itself.
Too dear he holds his interest, to neglect
Too dear he values his interest to neglect.
Another’s welfare, or his right invade;
Another’s welfare, or invade his rights;
Their interest, like a lion, lives on prey.
Their interest, like a lion, thrives on prey.
They kindle at the shadow of a wrong:
They ignite at the hint of a wrong:
Wrong he sustains with temper, looks on heaven,
Wrong he endures with patience, gazes at the sky,
Nor stoops to think his injurer his foe;
Nor lowers himself to see his attacker as his enemy;
Nought, but what wounds his virtue, wounds his peace.
Nothing that harms his virtue can bring him peace.
A cover’d heart their character defends; 1130
A covered heart protects their character; 1130
A cover’d heart denies him half his praise.
A closed-off heart denies him half his praise.
With nakedness his innocence agrees;
His innocence matches his nudity;
While their broad foliage testifies their fall:
While their wide leaves show that it's fall:
Their no joys end, where his full feast begins; 1134
Their joys have no end, where his grand feast begins;1134
His joys create, theirs murder, future bliss.
His joys create; theirs destroy future happiness.
To triumph in existence, his alone;
To succeed in life, just his own;
And his alone, triumphantly to think
And just his, feeling triumphant to think
His true existence is not yet begun.
His real life hasn't started yet.
His glorious course was, yesterday, complete;
His glorious journey was completed yesterday;
Death, then, was welcome; yet life still is sweet.
Death, then, was welcome; yet life is still sweet.
But nothing charms Lorenzo, like the firm,
But nothing captivates Lorenzo like the strong,
Undaunted breast—and whose is that high praise? 1142
Undaunted heart—and whose is that high praise?1142
They yield to pleasure, though they danger brave,
They give in to pleasure, even though they dare to be brave,
And show no fortitude, but in the field;
And only show strength on the battlefield;
If there they show it, ’tis for glory shown;
If they show it, it’s for glory displayed;
Nor will that cordial always man their hearts.
Nor will that friendly spirit always fill their hearts.
A cordial his sustains, that cannot fail;
A warm friendship endures, never failing;
By pleasure unsubdued, unbroke by pain,
By pleasure untamed, unbroken by pain,
He shares in that Omnipotence he trusts.
He shares in that all-powerful force he believes in.
All-bearing, all-attempting, till he falls; 1150
All-in, all-trying, until he falls;
And when he falls, writes VICI on his shield.
And when he falls, he writes VICI on his shield.
From magnanimity, all fear above;
From generosity, all fear gone;
From nobler recompence, above applause;
From greater rewards, above praise;
Which owes to man’s short outlook all its charms.
Which gives all its charms to man's limited perspective.
Backward to credit what he never felt,
Backward to credit what he never felt,
Lorenzo cries,—“Where shines this miracle?
Lorenzo cries, "Where is this miracle?"
From what root rises this immortal man?”
From what origin does this immortal man arise?
A root that grows not in Lorenzo’s ground;
A root that doesn’t grow in Lorenzo’s soil;
The root dissect, nor wonder at the flower.
The root doesn't analyze, nor does it marvel at the flower.
He follows nature (not like thee) and shows us 1160
He follows nature (not like you) and shows us1160
An uninverted system of a man.
An upright system of a man.
His appetite wears Reason’s golden chain,
His desire is held in check by Reason’s golden chain,
And finds, in due restraint, its luxury.
And finds, in proper moderation, its richness.
His passion, like an eagle well reclaim’d,
His passion, like a well-trained eagle,
Is taught to fly at nought, but infinite.
Is taught to fly at nothing, but everything.
Patient his hope, unanxious is his care,
Patient with his hope, carefree in his concerns,
His caution fearless, and his grief (if grief
His caution was fearless, and his grief (if grief
The gods ordain) a stranger to despair. 1168
The gods send a stranger into despair.1168
And why?—because affection, more than meet,
And why?—because love, more than enough,
His wisdom leaves not disengaged from heaven.
His wisdom is deeply connected to heaven.
Those secondary goods that smile on earth,
Those secondary goods that shine on earth,
He, loving in proportion, loves in peace.
He loves peacefully, in proportion to how much he loves.
They most the world enjoy, who least admire.
They enjoy the world the most, who admire it the least.
His understanding ’scapes the common cloud
His understanding escapes the common cloud
Of fumes, arising from a boiling breast.
Of fumes, rising from a boiling chest.
His head is clear, because his heart is cool,
His mind is sharp because his heart is calm,
By worldly competitions uninflamed.
By worldly competitions uninspired.
The moderate movements of his soul admit
The calm movements of his soul allow
Distinct ideas, and matured debate,
Unique ideas and developed discussion,
An eye impartial, and an even scale; 1180
An unbiased perspective and a fair balance; 1180
Whence judgment sound, and unrepenting choice.
Where judgment is clear, and choices are made without regret.
Thus, in a double sense, the good are wise;
Thus, in two ways, the good are wise;
On its own dunghill, wiser than the world.
On its own dung heap, smarter than the world.
What, then, the world? It must be doubly weak;
What, then, is the world? It must be even weaker;
Strange truth! as soon would they believe their creed.
Strange truth! They would believe their beliefs just as quickly.
Yet thus it is; nor otherwise can be;
Yet that's just how it is; there's no other way it can be;
So far from aught romantic, what I sing.
So far from anything romantic, that's what I sing.
Bliss has no being, virtue has no strength,
Bliss doesn’t exist, virtue has no power,
But from the prospect of immortal life.
But from the viewpoint of eternal life.
Who think earth all, or (what weighs just the same) 1190
Who thinks the earth is everything, or (what is equally important)
Who care no farther, must prize what it yields;
Who doesn't care about anything else must value what it offers;
Fond of its fancies, proud of its parades.
Fond of its whims, proud of its displays.
Who thinks earth nothing, can’t its charms admire;
Who thinks the earth is nothing, can't appreciate its beauty;
He can’t a foe, though most malignant, hate,
He can’t be an enemy, even if he’s extremely evil, hate,
Because that hate would prove his greater foe.
Because that hatred would turn out to be his bigger enemy.
’Tis hard for them (yet who so loudly boast
'Tis hard for them (yet who so loudly boast
Good-will to men?) to love their dearest friend;
Goodwill to people?) to love their closest friend;
For may not he invade their good supreme,
For he may not invade their highest good,
Where the least jealousy turns love to gall?
Where does even a little jealousy turn love into bitterness?
All shines to them, that for a season shines. 1200
All that glitters is temporary for them.1200
Each act, each thought, he questions, “What its weight,
Each action, each thought, he asks, “What’s its significance?
Its colour what, a thousand ages hence?”— 1202
Its color what, a thousand years from now?”—1202
And what it there appears, he deems it now.
And what it looks like now, he thinks it is.
Hence, pure are the recesses of his soul.
Hence, the depths of his soul are pure.
The godlike man has nothing to conceal.
The godlike man has nothing to hide.
His virtue, constitutionally deep,
His deep-rooted virtue,
Has habit’s firmness, and affection’s flame;
Has the strength of habit and the passion of affection;
Angels, allied, descend to feed the fire;
Angels, united, come down to stoke the flames;
And Death, which others slays, makes him a god.
And Death, which kills others, makes him a god.
And now, Lorenzo! bigot of this world! 1210
And now, Lorenzo! hypocrite of this world!1210
Wont to disdain poor bigots caught by Heaven!
Willing to look down on poor bigots trapped by fate!
Stand by thy scorn, and be reduced to nought:
Stand by your scorn, and end up with nothing:
For what art thou?—Thou boaster! while thy glare,
For what are you?—You bragger! while your glare,
Thy gaudy grandeur, and mere worldly worth,
Your flashy splendor and just material value,
Like a broad mist, at distance, strikes us most;
Like a thick fog, it catches our attention from afar;
And, like a mist, is nothing when at hand;
And, like a fog, it feels like nothing when you're right in it;
His merit, like a mountain, on approach,
His worth, like a mountain, upon approach,
Swells more, and rises nearer to the skies,
Swells more and rises closer to the sky,
By promise now, and, by possession, soon,
By promise now, and soon by possession,
(Too soon, too much, it cannot be) his own. 1220
(Too soon, too much, it can't be) his own.1220
From this thy just annihilation rise,
From this your rightful destruction, rise,
Lorenzo! rise to something, by reply.
Lorenzo! step up and say something in response.
The world, thy client, listens, and expects;
The world, your client, listens, and expects;
And longs to crown thee with immortal praise.
And longs to honor you with everlasting praise.
Canst thou be silent? No; for Wit is thine;
Can you be silent? No; because Wit is yours;
And Wit talks most, when least she has to say,
And Wit talks the most when she has the least to say,
And Reason interrupts not her career.
And reason doesn't stop her journey.
She’ll say—that mists above the mountains rise;
She'll say that the fog above the mountains is rising;
And, with a thousand pleasantries, amuse;
And, with a thousand friendly remarks, entertain;
She’ll sparkle, puzzle, flutter, raise a dust, 1230
She’ll shine, mystify, flit about, stir up some dust,1230
And fly conviction, in the dust she raised.
And let conviction soar in the dust she kicked up.
Wit, how delicious to man’s dainty taste!
Wit, how delightful to a person's refined taste!
’Tis precious, as the vehicle of sense;
It’s valuable, as the means of understanding;
But, as its substitute, a dire disease.
But instead, a horrible illness.
Pernicious talent! flatter’d by the world,
Pernicious talent! Flattered by the world,
By the blind world, which thinks the talent rare. 1236
By the clueless world, which believes talent is rare.1236
Wisdom is rare, Lorenzo! wit abounds;
Wisdom is rare, Lorenzo! Wit is everywhere;
Passion can give it; sometimes wine inspires
Passion can provide it; sometimes wine sparks it.
The lucky flash; and madness rarely fails.
The lucky spark; and craziness hardly ever misses.
Whatever cause the spirit strongly stirs,
Whatever cause truly inspires the spirit,
Confers the bays, and rivals thy renown.
Gives you the accolades and rivals your fame.
For thy renown, ’twere well was this the worst;
For your reputation, it would be good if this were the worst;
Chance often hits it; and, to pique thee more, 1243
Chance often strikes; and, to provoke you further,1243
See Dulness, blundering on vivacities,
See Dulness, stumbling over liveliness,
Shakes her sage head at the calamity,
Shakes her wise head at the disaster,
Which has exposed, and let her down to thee.
Which has revealed and delivered her to you.
But Wisdom, awful Wisdom! which inspects,
But Wisdom, terrifying Wisdom! that examines,
Discerns, compares, weighs, separates, infers,
Discerns, compares, weighs, separates, infers,
Seizes the right, and holds it to the last;
Seizes the right and holds on to it until the end;
How rare! In senates, synods, sought in vain; 1250
How rare! In senates, synods, looked for but never found; 1250
Or if there found, ’tis sacred to the few;
Or if it's found, it’s sacred to just a few;
While a lewd prostitute to multitudes,
While an indecent prostitute to many,
Frequent, as fatal, Wit: in civil life,
Frequent, as fatal, Wit: in civil life,
Wit makes an enterpriser; Sense, a man.
Wit makes a businessperson; common sense, a person.
Wit hates authority; commotion loves,
Wit resents authority; chaos embraces,
And thinks herself the lightning of the storm.
And thinks of herself as the lightning in the storm.
In states, ’tis dangerous; in religion, death:
In states, it’s risky; in religion, it’s deadly:
Shall Wit turn Christian, when the dull believe?
Shall Wit become Christian when the dull believe?
Sense is our helmet, wit is but the plume;
Sense is our helmet, and wit is just the feather;
The plume exposes, ’tis our helmet saves. 1260
The plume reveals, but our helmet protects.1260
Sense is the diamond, weighty, solid, sound;
Sense is the diamond, heavy, solid, real;
When cut by wit, it casts a brighter beam;
When sharpened by cleverness, it shines even brighter;
Yet, wit apart, it is a diamond still.
Yet, putting wit aside, it's still a diamond.
Wit, widow’d of good sense, is worse than nought;
Wit, lacking common sense, is worse than nothing;
It hoists more sail to run against a rock.
It raises more sail to go up against a rock.
Thus, a half-Chesterfield is quite a fool;
Thus, a half-Chesterfield is pretty foolish;
Whom dull fools scorn, and bless their want of wit.
Whom dull fools ridicule, and appreciate their lack of intelligence.
How ruinous the rock I warn thee shun,
How destructive the rock I warn you to avoid,
Where syrens sit, to sing thee to thy fate!
Where sirens sit, to sing you to your fate!
A joy, in which our reason bears no part, 1270
A joy that our reason doesn’t play a role in,1270
Is but a sorrow, tickling, ere it stings.
Is just a sadness that tickles before it hurts.
Let not the cooings of the world allure thee;
Let not the sweet talk of the world tempt you;
Which of her lovers ever found her true?
Which of her lovers ever discovered her true self?
Happy! of this bad world who little know?—
Happy! of this bad world who knows so little?—
And yet, we much must know her, to be safe;
And still, we really need to understand her to be safe;
To know the world, not love her, is thy point;
To understand the world, not to love it, is your goal;
She gives but little, nor that little, long.
She gives very little, and she doesn't give it for long.
There is, I grant, a triumph of the pulse;
There is, I admit, a victory of the heartbeat;
A dance of spirits, a mere froth of joy,
A dance of spirits, just a bubble of joy,
Our thoughtless agitation’s idle child, 1280
Our careless unrest's aimless offspring,
That mantles high, that sparkles, and expires,
That hangs high, that sparkles, and fades away,
Leaving the soul more vapid than before.
Leaving the soul emptier than before.
An animal ovation! such as holds
An animal applause! like what holds
No commerce with our reason, but subsists
No trade with our reason, but exists
On juices, through the well-toned tubes, well strain’d;
On juices, through the well-toned tubes, well strained;
A nice machine! scarce ever tuned aright;
A great machine! hardly ever tuned properly;
And when it jars—thy syrens sing no more,
And when it jolts—your sirens sing no more,
Thy dance is done; the demi-god is thrown
Your dance is over; the demi-god is cast aside.
(Short apotheosis!) beneath the man,
(Short tribute!) beneath the man,
In coward gloom immersed, or fell despair. 1290
In the depths of cowardice or deep despair.1290
Art thou yet dull enough despair to dread,
Are you still dull enough to fear,
And startle at destruction? If thou art,
And be startled by destruction? If you are,
Accept a buckler, take it to the field;
Accept a shield, take it to the field;
(A field of battle is this mortal life!)
(A field of battle is this mortal life!)
When danger threatens, lay it on thy heart;
When danger approaches, take it to heart;
A single sentence, proof against the world:
A single sentence, unbeatable by the world:
“Soul, body, fortune!—every good pertains
"Soul, body, fortune!—everything good pertains"
To one of these; but prize not all alike;
To one of these; but don't value them all the same;
The goods of fortune to thy body’s health,
The blessings of luck for your health,
Body to soul, and soul submit to God.” 1300
Body to soul, and soul submit to God.”1300
Would’st thou build lasting happiness? do this;
Would you like to create lasting happiness? Do this;
Th’ inverted pyramid can never stand.
The inverted pyramid can never stand.
Is this truth doubtful? It outshines the sun;
Is this truth questionable? It shines brighter than the sun;
Nay, the sun shines not, but to show us this, 1304
Nay, the sun doesn't shine, except to reveal this,1304
The single lesson of mankind on earth.
The one lesson for humanity on Earth.
And yet—yet, what? No news! Mankind is mad;
And yet—yet, what? No news! Humanity is crazy;
Such mighty numbers list against the right,
Such powerful numbers lineup against what's right,
(And what can’t numbers, when bewitch’d, achieve!)
(And what can’t numbers, when enchanted, achieve!)
They talk themselves to something like belief,
They convince themselves to more or less believe,
That all earth’s joys are theirs: as Athens’ fool
That all of life's pleasures belong to them: like Athens' fool
Grinn’d from the port, on every sail his own.
Grinned from the dock, on every sail his own.
They grin; but wherefore? and how long the laugh?
They smile; but why? And how long does the laughter last?
Half ignorance, their mirth; and half, a lie; 1313
Half ignorance, their joy; and half, a lie; 1313
To cheat the world, and cheat themselves, they smile.
To deceive the world and fool themselves, they smile.
Hard either task! The most abandon’d own,
Hard either task! The most abandoned own,
That others, if abandon’d, are undone:
That others, if left behind, are lost:
Then, for themselves, the moment Reason wakes
Then, for themselves, the moment reason awakens
(And Providence denies it long repose),
(And Providence doesn't allow it any lasting peace),
O how laborious is their gaiety!
Oh, how tiring is their happiness!
They scarce can swallow their ebullient spleen, 1320
They can barely contain their intense anger,1320
Scarce muster patience to support the farce,
Scarce can we muster the patience to put up with the nonsense,
And pump sad laughter till the curtain falls.
And squeeze out sad laughter until the curtain comes down.
Scarce, did I say? Some cannot sit it out;
Scarce, did I say? Some can't wait it out;
Oft their own daring hands the curtain draw,
Oftentimes, they pull the curtain back with their own bold hands,
And show us what their joy, by their despair.
And show us their joy through their despair.
The clotted hair! gored breast! blaspheming eye!
The tangled hair! injured chest! cursing eye!
Its impious fury still alive in death!
Its wicked rage still alive in death!
Shut, shut the shocking scene.—But Heaven denies
Shut, shut the shocking scene.—But Heaven denies
A cover to such guilt; and so should man.
A way to cover up that guilt; and so should people.
Look round, Lorenzo! see the reeking blade, 1330
Look around, Lorenzo! Check out the steaming blade,1330
Th’ envenom’d phial, and the fatal ball;
The poisoned vial and the deadly bullet;
The strangling cord, and suffocating stream;
The choking rope, and suffocating flow;
The loathsome rottenness, and foul decays
The disgusting rot and putrid decay
From raging riot (slower suicides!)
From raging riot (slow suicides!)
And pride in these, more execrable still!
And pride in these, even more despicable!
How horrid all to thought!—but horrors, these,
How terrible it all is to think about!—but these are true horrors,
That vouch the truth; and aid my feeble song.
That prove the truth and help my weak song.
From vice, sense, fancy, no man can be blest: 1338
From vice, reason, or dreams, no man can be truly happy:1338
Bliss is too great, to lodge within an hour:
Bliss is too intense to fit into just an hour:
When an immortal being aims at bliss,
When an immortal being strives for happiness,
Duration is essential to the name.
Duration is crucial to the name.
O for a joy from reason! joy from that,
O for a joy from reasoning! Joy from that,
Which makes man Man; and, exercised aright,
Which makes a person a person; and, when done properly,
Will make him more: a bounteous joy! that gives
Will make him more: a generous joy! that gives
And promises; that weaves, with art divine,
And promises; that weave, with divine artistry,
The richest prospect into present peace:
The best hope for today’s peace:
A joy ambitious! joy in common held
A joyful ambition! Joy held in common.
With thrones ethereal, and their greater far;
With ethereal thrones, and their greater distance;
A joy high privileged from chance, time, death!
A joy so fortunate from fate, time, and death!
A joy, which death shall double, judgment crown! 1350
A joy that death will amplify, and judgment will reward!1350
Crown’d higher, and still higher, at each stage,
Crowned higher, and even higher, at each level,
Through bless’d eternity’s long day; yet still,
Through blessed eternity’s long day; yet still,
Not more remote from sorrow, than from Him,
Not further away from sorrow than from Him,
Whose lavish hand, whose love stupendous, pours
Whose extravagant hand, whose immense love, pours
So much of Deity on guilty dust.
So much of the divine on guilty earth.
There, O my Lucia! may I meet thee there,
There, oh my Lucia! may I meet you there,
Where not thy presence can improve my bliss!
Where your presence can't make my happiness better!
Affects not this the sages of the world?
Doesn't this affect the wise people of the world?
Can nought affect them, but what fools them too?
Can nothing affect them, except what tricks them as well?
Eternity, depending on an hour, 1360
Eternity, based on an hour,
Makes serious thought man’s wisdom, joy, and praise,
Makes deep reflection man’s wisdom, happiness, and appreciation,
Nor need you blush (though sometimes your designs
Nor should you feel embarrassed (although sometimes your plans
May shun the light) at your designs on heaven:
May shun the light) at your plans for heaven:
Sole point! where over-bashful is your blame.
Sole point! where your excessive shyness is your fault.
Are you not wise?—You know you are: yet hear
Are you not wise?—You know you are: yet listen
One truth, amid your numerous schemes, mislaid,
One truth, among your many plans, overlooked,
Or overlook’d, or thrown aside, if seen;
Or ignored, or set aside, if noticed;
“Our schemes to plan by this world, or the next,
“Our plans to prepare for this life or the next,
Is the sole difference between wise and fool.”
Is the only difference between a wise person and a fool.
All worthy men will weigh you in this scale; 1370
All deserving men will judge you by this standard;1370
What wonder then, if they pronounce you light? 1371
What a surprise then, if they call you light?1371
Is their esteem alone not worth your care?
Isn't their esteem enough to deserve your attention?
Accept my simple scheme of common sense:
Accept my straightforward plan based on common sense:
Thus, save your fame, and make two worlds your own.
So, protect your reputation, and claim both worlds as yours.
The world replies not;—but the world persists;
The world doesn't respond;—but the world keeps going;
And puts the cause off to the longest day,
And delays the cause until the longest day,
Planning evasions for the day of doom.
Planning ways to escape on doomsday.
So far, at that re-hearing, from redress,
So far, at that re-hearing, from remedy,
They then turn witnesses against themselves;
They then act as witnesses against themselves;
Hear that, Lorenzo! nor be wise to-morrow. 1380
Hear that, Lorenzo! And don’t be smart tomorrow.1380
Haste, haste! a man, by nature, is in haste;
Hurry, hurry! A man is, by nature, in a rush;
For who shall answer for another hour?
For who will take responsibility for another hour?
’Tis highly prudent, to make one sure friend;
It’s very wise to have one reliable friend;
And that thou canst not do, this side the skies.
And you can't do that on this side of the skies.
Ye sons of earth! (nor willing to be more!)
Ye sons of earth! (nor willing to be more!)
Since verse you think from priestcraft somewhat free,
Since you believe the verse is somewhat free from priestcraft,
Thus, in an age so gay, the Muse plain truths
Thus, in a time so bright, the Muse delivers straightforward truths.
(Truths, which, at church, you might have heard in prose)
(Truths that you might have heard in prose at church)
Has ventured into light; well pleased the verse
Has stepped into the light; pleased with the verse.
Should be forgot, if you the truths retain; 1390
Should be forgotten if you hold onto the truths; 1390
And crown her with your welfare, not your praise.
And reward her with your well-being, not just your compliments.
But praise she need not fear: I see my fate;
But she doesn’t need to be afraid of praise: I can see my destiny;
And headlong leap, like Curtius, down the gulf.
And jump in headfirst, like Curtius, into the abyss.
Since many an ample volume, mighty tome,
Since many a large book, powerful volume,
Must die; and die unwept; O thou minute
Must die; and die without tears; O you tiny
Devoted page! go forth among thy foes;
Devoted page! Go out among your enemies;
Go, nobly proud of martyrdom for truth,
Go, proudly embrace your sacrifice for the truth,
And die a double death: mankind incensed,
And die a double death: humanity enraged,
Denies thee long to live: nor shalt thou rest,
Denies you the chance to live long: nor will you find peace,
When thou art dead; in Stygian shades arraign’d 1400
When you're dead; in the dark shadows of the underworld
By Lucifer, as traitor to his throne;
By Lucifer, as a traitor to his throne;
And bold blasphemer of his friend,—the World;
And bold blasphemer of his friend,—the World;
The World, whose legions cost him slender pay,
The World, whose armies paid him little in return,
And volunteers around his banner swarm; 1404
And volunteers crowd around his banner; 1404
“Are all, then, fools?” Lorenzo cries.—Yes, all,
“Are all, then, fools?” Lorenzo cries.—Yes, all,
But such as hold this doctrine (new to thee);
But those who believe this doctrine (new to you);
“The mother of true wisdom is the will;”
“The true source of wisdom is the will;”
The noblest intellect, a fool without it.
The greatest mind is a fool without it.
World-wisdom much has done, and more may do, 1410
World wisdom has accomplished a lot and can achieve even more,1410
In arts and sciences, in wars, and peace:
In art and science, in warfare, and in peace:
But art and science, like thy wealth, will leave thee,
But art and science, just like your wealth, will leave you,
And make thee twice a beggar at thy death.
And make you twice a beggar at your death.
This is the most indulgence can afford;—
This is all the indulgence one can afford;—
“Thy wisdom all can do, but—make thee wise.”
“Your wisdom can do everything, but—make you wise.”
Nor think this censure is severe on thee;
Nor think this criticism is harsh on you;
Satan, thy master, I dare call a dunce. 1417
Satan, your master, I'm bold enough to call an idiot.1417
THE CONSOLATION:
INCLUDING, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
I. A MORAL SURVEY OF THE NIGHT SKY.
II. A NIGHT SPEECH TO THE DEITY.
HUMBLY INSCRIBED TO HIS GRACE
THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE,
ONE OF HIS MAJESTY’S PRINCIPAL SECRETARIES OF STATE.
Humbly dedicated to His Grace
THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE,
One of His Majesty's main Secretaries of State.
Fatis contraria fata rependens.—Virg.
Fates opposing, balances the fates.—Virg.
NIGHT NINTH.
Ninth Night.
THE CONSOLATION.
As when a traveller, a long day past
As when a traveler, a long day ago
In painful search of what he cannot find,
In a painful search for what he can't find,
At night’s approach, content with the next cot,
At nightfall, happy with the next bed,
There ruminates, a while, his labour lost;
There he thinks for a while about his lost work;
Then cheers his heart with what his fate affords,
Then he lifts his spirits with what life brings his way,
And chants his sonnet to deceive the time,
And sings his poem to pass the time,
Till the due season calls him to repose:
Till the right time calls him to rest:
Thus I, long-travell’d in the ways of men,
Thus I, having traveled far in the ways of people,
And dancing, with the rest, the giddy maze,
And dancing, along with everyone else, the dizzying whirlwind,
Where Disappointment smiles at Hope’s career; 10
Where Disappointment looks at Hope’s journey; 10
Warn’d by the languor of life’s evening ray,
Warned by the tiredness of life's fading light,
At length have housed me in an humble shed;
At last, they have put me up in a modest shed;
Where, future wandering banish’d from my thought,
Wherever my future wandering thoughts may take me,
And waiting, patient, the sweet hour of rest,
And waiting patiently, the sweet hour of rest,
I chase the moments with a serious song.
I pursue the moments with a serious song.
Song soothes our pains; and age has pains to soothe.
Song eases our suffering, and as we age, we have sufferings that need easing.
When age, care, crime, and friends embraced at heart,
When age, worry, crime, and friends came together at heart,
Torn from my bleeding breast, and death’s dark shade,
Torn from my bleeding heart, and the dark shadow of death,
Which hovers o’er me, quench th’ ethereal fire;
Which hovers over me, extinguish the ethereal fire;
Canst thou, O Night! indulge one labour more? 20
Can you, O Night, do one more task for me? 20
One labour more indulge! then sleep, my strain! 21
One more effort, then sleep, my burden!21
Till, haply, waked by Raphael’s golden lyre,
Till, perhaps, awakened by Raphael’s golden lyre,
Where night, death, age, care, crime, and sorrow, cease;
Where night, death, old age, worry, crime, and sadness end;
To bear a part in everlasting lays;
To take part in timeless songs;
Though far, far higher set, in aim, I trust,
Though much higher in my goals, I hope,
Symphonious to this humble prelude here.
Symphonic to this humble introduction here.
Has not the Muse asserted pleasures pure,
Hasn't the Muse claimed pure pleasures,
Like those above; exploding other joys?
Like those mentioned earlier; are they overshadowing other joys?
Weigh what was urged, Lorenzo! fairly weigh;
Weigh what was suggested, Lorenzo! Weigh it fairly;
And tell me, hast thou cause to triumph still? 30
And tell me, do you still have a reason to celebrate?30
I think, thou wilt forbear a boast so bold.
I think you'll hold back from such a bold boast.
But if, beneath the favour of mistake,
But if, under the guise of a mistake,
Thy smile’s sincere; not more sincere can be
Your smile is genuine; it couldn't be more genuine.
Lorenzo’s smile, than my compassion for him.
Lorenzo’s smile was more than my compassion for him.
The sick in body call for aid; the sick
The sick in body ask for help; the sick
In mind are covetous of more disease;
In mind are wanting more illness;
And when at worst, they dream themselves quite well.
And when things are at their worst, they imagine themselves doing just fine.
To know ourselves diseased, is half our cure.
To recognize that we have issues is half the solution.
When Nature’s blush by Custom is wiped off,
When Nature's blush is washed away by Custom,
And Conscience, deaden’d by repeated strokes, 40
And Conscience, dulled by repeated hits,40
Has into manners naturalized our crimes;
Has made our crimes a natural part of our behavior;
The curse of curses is, our curse to love;
The worst curse of all is our curse to love;
To triumph in the blackness of our guilt
To succeed in the darkness of our guilt
(As Indians glory in the deepest jet),
(As Indians take pride in the deepest jet),
And throw aside our senses with our peace.
And set our senses aside along with our peace.
But grant no guilt, no shame, no least alloy;
But allow no guilt, no shame, no hint of corruption;
Grant joy and glory quite unsullied shone;
Grant joy and glory shone brightly and purely;
Yet, still, it ill deserves Lorenzo’s heart.
Yet, it still doesn't deserve Lorenzo's heart.
No joy, no glory, glitters in thy sight,
No joy, no glory, shines in your eyes,
But, through the thin partition of an hour, 50
But, through the thin barrier of an hour,50
I see its sables wove by destiny;
I see its dark fur woven by fate;
And that in sorrow buried; this, in shame;
And that was buried in sorrow; this, in shame;
While howling furies wring the doleful knell;
While howling winds ring the sad bell;
And Conscience, now so soft thou scarce canst hear 54
And Conscience, now so soft you can hardly hear
Her whisper, echoes her eternal peal.
Her whisper echoes her endless chime.
Where, the prime actors of the last year’s scene;
Where are the main players from last year's show;
Their port so proud, their buskin, and their plume?
Their proud harbor, their fancy footwear, and their feather?
How many sleep, who kept the world awake
How many sleep, who kept the world awake
With lustre, and with noise! has Death proclaim’d
With shine and with sound! Death has declared
A truce, and hung his sated lance on high?
A truce, and raised his satisfied lance high?
’Tis brandish’d still; nor shall the present year
’Tis brandish’d still; nor shall the present year
Be more tenacious of her human leaf, 62
Be more persistent with her human leaf,62
Or spread of feeble life a thinner fall.
Or spread of weak life a lighter decline.
But needless monuments to wake the thought;
But unnecessary monuments to trigger thought;
Life’s gayest scenes speak man’s mortality;
Life’s most joyful moments highlight our mortality;
Though in a style more florid, full as plain,
Though in a more elaborate style, rich yet straightforward,
As mausoleums, pyramids, and tombs.
As mausoleums, pyramids, and graves.
What are our noblest ornaments, but deaths
What are our finest decorations, but deaths
Turn’d flatterers of life, in paint, or marble,
Turned flatterers of life, in paint or marble,
The well-stain’d canvas, or the featured stone? 70
The stained canvas or the carved stone?70
Our fathers grace, or rather haunt, the scene.
Our fathers grace, or rather haunt, the scene.
Joy peoples her pavilion from the dead.
Joy fills her pavilion with life from the dead.
“Profess’d diversions! cannot these escape?”
"Professed distractions! Can these not escape?"
Far from it: these present us with a shroud;
Far from it: these give us a cover;
And talk of death, like garlands o’er a grave.
And talking about death, like flowers on a grave.
As some bold plunderers, for buried wealth,
As some daring thieves, in search of buried treasure,
We ransack tombs for pastime; from the dust
We dig through tombs for fun; from the dust
Call up the sleeping hero; bid him tread
Call on the sleeping hero; ask him to step
The scene for our amusement: how like gods
The scene for our entertainment: how much like gods
We sit; and, wrapt in immortality, 80
We sit, wrapped in eternity, 80
Shed generous tears on wretches born to die;
Shed generous tears for those doomed from birth;
Their fate deploring, to forget our own!
Their fate is unfortunate, but we forget our own!
What all the pomps and triumphs of our lives,
What are all the celebrations and victories of our lives,
But legacies in blossom? Our lean soil,
But legacies in bloom? Our thin soil,
Luxuriant grown, and rank in vanities,
Luxuriant growth, and full of vanities,
From friends interr’d beneath; a rich manure!
From friends buried below; a rich fertilizer!
Like other worms, we banquet on the dead;
Like other worms, we feast on the dead;
Like other worms, shall we crawl on, nor know 88
Like other worms, we will keep crawling, unaware
Our present frailties, or approaching fate?
Our current weaknesses, or looming destiny?
Lorenzo! such the glories of the world!
Lorenzo! Such are the glories of the world!
What is the world itself? thy world—a grave.
What is the world itself? Your world—a grave.
Where is the dust that has not been alive?
Where is the dust that has never been alive?
The spade, the plough, disturb our ancestors;
The spade and the plow disturb our ancestors;
From human mould we reap our daily bread.
From human effort, we earn our daily bread.
The globe around earth’s hollow surface shakes,
The globe around the earth's hollow surface shakes,
And is the ceiling of her sleeping sons.
And is the ceiling above her sleeping sons.
O’er devastation we blind revels keep;
O'er devastation we keep our blind celebrations;
Whole buried towns support the dancer’s heel.
Whole buried towns support the dancer’s heel.
The moist of human frame the sun exhales;
The moisture of the human body is expelled by the sun;
Winds scatter through the mighty void the dry; 100
Winds blow through the vast emptiness, dry; 100
Earth repossesses part of what she gave,
Earth takes back some of what she gave,
And the freed spirit mounts on wings of fire;
And the liberated spirit soars on wings of fire;
Each element partakes our scatter’d spoils;
Each element shares in our scattered spoils;
As nature, wide, our ruins spread: man’s death
As nature is vast, our ruins stretch out: humanity's end
Inhabits all things, but the thought of man.
Inhabits everything, except for human thought.
Nor man alone; his breathing bust expires,
Nor man alone; his breathing figure fades,
His tomb is mortal; empires die: where, now,
His tomb is mortal; empires die: where, now,
The Roman? Greek? They stalk, an empty name!
The Roman? Greek? They lurk, just an empty name!
Yet few regard them in this useful light;
Yet few see them in this helpful way;
Though half our learning is their epitaph. 110
Though half our learning is their tribute.110
When down thy vale, unlock’d by midnight thought,
When you wander down your valley, unlocked by midnight thoughts,
That loves to wander in thy sunless realms,
That loves to roam in your dark places,
O Death! I stretch my view: what visions rise!
O Death! I broaden my perspective: what visions appear!
What triumphs! toils imperial! arts divine!
What victories! imperial efforts! divine arts!
In wither’d laurels glide before my sight!
In withered laurel leaves, glide before my eyes!
What lengths of far-famed ages, billow’d high
What lengths of famous ages, risen high
With human agitation, roll along
With human restlessness, roll along
In unsubstantial images of air!
In insubstantial images of air!
The melancholy ghosts of dead renown,
The sad spirits of lost fame,
Whispering faint echoes of the world’s applause, 120
Whispering soft echoes of the world’s applause,120
With penitential aspect, as they pass,
With a sense of regret, as they go by,
All point at earth, and hiss at human pride, 122
All point at the earth and hiss at human arrogance,122
The wisdom of the wise, and prancings of the great.
The insights of the wise, and the movements of the great.
But, O Lorenzo! far the rest above,
But, O Lorenzo! far above all the rest,
Of ghastly nature, and enormous size,
Of terrifying nature and huge size,
One form assaults my sight, and chills my blood,
One shape attacks my vision and sends a chill through my veins,
I see the mighty shadow: oozy wreath
I see the powerful shadow: slimy wreath
And dismal seaweed crown her; o’er her urn
And gloomy seaweed crowns her; over her urn
Reclined, she weeps her desolated realms, 130
Reclined, she cries over her lost kingdoms,130
And bloated sons; and, weeping, prophesies
And spoiled kids; and, crying, makes predictions
Another’s dissolution, soon, in flames.
Another's demise, soon, in flames.
But, like Cassandra, prophesies in vain;
But, like Cassandra, predicts without being believed;
In vain, to many; not, I trust, to thee.
In vain for many; I hope not for you.
For, know’st thou not, or art thou loath to know,
For, do you not know, or are you reluctant to know,
The great decree, the counsel of the skies?
The grand decision, the wisdom of the heavens?
Deluge and conflagration, dreadful powers!
Flood and fire, terrible forces!
Prime ministers of vengeance! chain’d in caves
Prime ministers of revenge! chained in caves
Distinct, apart the giant furies roar;
Distinct, apart, the giant furies roar;
Apart; or, such their horrid rage for ruin, 140
Apart; or, such their horrid rage for ruin,140
In mutual conflict would they rise, and wage
In mutual conflict, they would rise and fight.
Eternal war, till one was quite devour’d.
Eternal war, until one was completely consumed.
But not for this, ordain’d their boundless rage;
But not for this, was their endless anger intended;
When Heaven’s inferior instruments of wrath,
When Heaven's lesser tools of anger,
War, famine, pestilence, are found too weak
War, famine, and disease are considered too weak
To scourge a world for her enormous crimes,
To punish a world for its huge wrongdoings,
These are let loose, alternate: down they rush,
These are released, taking turns: down they rush,
Swift and tempestuous, from th’ eternal throne,
Swift and stormy, from the eternal throne,
With irresistible commission arm’d,
With an irresistible commission armed,
The world, in vain corrected, to destroy, 150
The world, mistakenly fixed, to ruin,150
And ease creation of the shocking scene.
And make the shocking scene easier to create.
Seest thou, Lorenzo! what depends on man?
Do you see it, Lorenzo! What relies on a person?
The fate of Nature; as for man, her birth.
The fate of Nature; as for humans, their beginning.
Earth’s actors change earth’s transitory scenes,
Earth's players change the temporary scenes of the world,
And make creation groan with human guilt. 155
And make the world suffer from human guilt.155
How must it groan, in a new deluge whelm’d,
How it must groan, overwhelmed by a new flood,
But not of waters! At the destined hour,
But not of waters! At the scheduled time,
By the loud trumpet summon’d to the charge,
By the loud trumpet called to the charge,
See, all the formidable sons of fire,
See, all the powerful sons of fire,
Eruptions, earthquakes, comets, lightnings, play
Eruptions, earthquakes, comets, lightning, play
Their various engines; all at once disgorge
Their different engines; all at once release
Their blazing magazines; and take, by storm, 162
Their blazing magazines; and take, by storm,162
This poor terrestrial citadel of man.
This poor earthly stronghold of humanity.
Amazing period! when each mountain-height
Amazing time! when each mountain-height
Outburns Vesuvius; rocks eternal pour
Outburns Vesuvius; eternal rocks pour
Their melted mass, as rivers once they pour’d;
Their melted form, like rivers, once they poured;
Stars rush; and final Ruin fiercely drives
Stars rush, and final destruction pushes hard.
Her ploughshare o’er creation!—while aloft,
Her ploughshare over creation!—while aloft,
More than astonishment! if more can be!
More than just amazement! If that’s even possible!
Far other firmament than e’er was seen, 170
Far different sky than ever seen, 170
Than e’er was thought by man! far other stars!
Than ever was thought by man! Far other stars!
Stars animate, that govern these of fire;
Stars bring life, controlling those of fire;
Far other sun!—A sun, O how unlike
Far other sun!—A sun, oh how unlike
The Babe at Bethlehem! how unlike the Man,
The baby in Bethlehem! How different from the man,
That groan’d on Calvary!—Yet He it is;
That groaned on Calvary!—Yet it’s Him;
That Man of Sorrows! O how changed! what pomp!
That Man of Sorrows! Oh, how transformed! What grandeur!
In grandeur terrible, all heaven descends!
In a terrifying display of greatness, the whole sky comes down!
And gods, ambitious, triumph in his train.
And gods, driven by ambition, succeed in his wake.
A swift archangel, with his golden wing,
A fast archangel, with his golden wing,
As blots and clouds, that darken and disgrace 180
As stains and shadows that darken and shame
The scene divine, sweeps stars and suns aside.
The heavenly scene pushes stars and suns away.
And now, all dross removed, heaven’s own pure day,
And now, with all the garbage cleared away, heaven's own bright day,
Full on the confines of our ether, flames:
Full on the edges of our space, flames:
While (dreadful contrast!) far, how far beneath!
While (dreadful contrast!) far, how far beneath!
Hell, bursting, belches forth her blazing seas,
Hell, erupting, spews out its fiery oceans,
And storms sulphureous; her voracious jaws
And sulfurous storms; her greedy jaws
Expanding wide, and roaring for her prey.
Expanding wide and roaring for her prey.
Lorenzo! welcome to this scene; the last
Lorenzo! Welcome to this scene; the last
In nature’s course; the first in wisdom’s thought. 189
In the course of nature; the first in wise thinking.189
This strikes, if aught can strike thee; this awakes
This hits, if anything can hit you; this wakes
The most supine; this snatches man from death.
The most helpless; this takes man away from death.
Rouse, rouse, Lorenzo, then, and follow me,
Rouse, rouse, Lorenzo, then, and follow me,
Where truth, the most momentous man can hear,
Where truth, the most significant thing a person can understand,
Loud calls my soul, and ardour wings her flight.
Loudly calls my soul, and passion lifts her wings.
I find my inspiration in my theme:
I draw my inspiration from my theme:
The grandeur of my subject is my Muse.
The greatness of my topic is my inspiration.
At midnight, when mankind is wrapt in peace,
At midnight, when humanity is enveloped in peace,
And worldly fancy feeds on golden dreams;
And worldly imagination thrives on golden dreams;
To give more dread to man’s most dreadful hour.
To instill even more fear in mankind's most terrifying moment.
At midnight, ’tis presumed, this pomp will burst 200
At midnight, it’s expected that this spectacle will break apart200
From tenfold darkness; sudden as the spark
From deep darkness; sudden as the spark
From smitten steel; from nitrous grain, the blaze.
From enchanted steel; from nitrous grain, the fire.
Man, starting from his couch, shall sleep no more!
Man, starting from his couch, shall sleep no more!
The day is broke, which never more shall close!
The day has dawned, and it will never end!
Above, around, beneath, amazement all!
Above, around, beneath, wow!
Terror and glory join’d in their extremes!
Terror and glory are joined at their extremes!
Our God in grandeur, and our world on fire!
Our God is magnificent, and our world is ablaze!
All nature struggling in the pangs of death!
All of nature fighting through the agony of death!
Dost thou not hear her? Dost thou not deplore
Dude, can you not hear her? Don’t you feel bad?
Her strong convulsions, and her final groan? 210
Her intense spasms and her last gasp?210
Where are we now? Ah me! the ground is gone,
Where are we now? Oh no! the ground has disappeared,
On which we stood; Lorenzo! while thou may’st,
On which we stood; Lorenzo! while you can,
Provide more firm support, or sink for ever!
Provide stronger support, or sink forever!
Where? how? from whence? Vain hope! it is too late!
Where? How? From where? What a fruitless hope! It's too late!
Where, where, for shelter, shall the guilty fly,
Where, where can the guilty go for shelter,
When consternation turns the good man pale?
When anxiety makes a good man go pale?
Great day! for which all other days were made;
Great day! That’s what all other days were meant for;
For which earth rose from chaos, man from earth;
For which the earth emerged from chaos, and humans rose from the earth;
And an eternity, the date of gods,
And an eternity, the date of gods,
Descended on poor earth-created man! 220
Descended on struggling humanity! 220
Great day of dread, decision, and despair!
Great day of fear, choice, and hopelessness!
At thought of thee, each sublunary wish
At the thought of you, every earthly desire
Lets go its eager grasp, and drops the world; 223
Lets go its eager grasp, and drops the world;223
And catches at each reed of hope in heaven.
And grabs onto every bit of hope in heaven.
At thought of thee!—And art thou absent then?
At the thought of you!—Are you really gone then?
Lorenzo! no; ’tis here; it is begun;—
Lorenzo! No; it’s here; it has started;—
Already is begun the grand assize,
Already the grand trial has begun,
In thee, in all: deputed Conscience scales
In you, in everything: appointed Conscience weighs
The dread tribunal, and forestalls our doom;
The terrifying judgment and prevents our fate;
Forestalls; and, by forestalling, proves it sure. 230
Forestalls; and, by forestalling, proves it sure.230
Why on himself should man void judgment pass?
Why should a person pass judgment on themselves?
Is idle Nature laughing at her sons?
Is lazy Nature mocking her children?
Who Conscience sent, her sentence will support,
Who Conscience sent, her judgment will uphold,
And God above assert that God in man.
And God above affirms that God is within man.
Thrice happy they that enter now the court
Thrice happy are those who now enter the court.
Heaven opens in their bosoms! but, how rare,
Heaven opens in their hearts! But how rare,
Ah me! that magnanimity, how rare!
Ah, the generosity, how rare it is!
What hero, like the man who stands himself;
What hero, like the man who stands on his own;
Who dares to meet his naked heart alone;
Who has the courage to face his bare heart by himself;
Who bears, intrepid, the full charge it brings, 240
Who bravely takes on the full weight it brings,240
Resolved to silence future murmurs there?
Resolved to put an end to any future whispers there?
The coward flies; and, flying, is undone.
The coward runs away; and while running, it only brings about their downfall.
(Art thou a coward? No.) The coward flies;
(Are you a coward? No.) The coward runs away;
Thinks, but thinks slightly; asks, but fears to know;
Thinks, but thinks just a little; asks, but is afraid to find out;
Asks, “What is truth?” with Pilate; and retires;
Asks, “What is truth?” with Pilate; and leaves;
Dissolves the court, and mingles with the throng;
Dissolves the court and blends in with the crowd;
Asylum sad! from reason, hope, and heaven!
Asylum sad! from reason, hope, and heaven!
Shall all, but man look out with ardent eye,
Shall everyone, except for man, look out with eager eyes,
For that great day, which was ordain’d for man?
For that important day that was meant for humanity?
O day of consummation! mark supreme 250
O day of fulfillment! mark supreme250
(If men are wise) of human thought! nor least,
(If men are wise) of human thought! nor least,
Or in the sight of angels, or their King!
Or in the presence of angels, or their King!
Angels, whose radiant circles, height o’er height,
Angels, with their shining halos, high above the heights,
Order o’er order, rising, blaze o’er blaze,
Order upon order, rising, flame upon flame,
As in a theatre, surround this scene,
As in a theater, surround this scene,
Intent on man, and anxious for his fate.
Intent on man and worried about his fate.
Angels look out for thee; for thee, their Lord, 257
Angels watch over you; for you, their Lord,257
To vindicate his glory; and for thee,
To justify his greatness; and for you,
Creation universal calls aloud,
Creation calls out universally,
To disinvolve the moral world, and give
To separate from the moral world and provide
To Nature’s renovation brighter charms.
To nature's renewal brighter charms.
Shall man alone, whose fate, whose final fate
Shall man alone, whose fate, whose final fate
Hangs on that hour, exclude it from his thought?
Hangs on that hour, ignoring it in his mind?
I think of nothing else; I see! I feel it!
I can't think about anything else; I see it! I feel it!
All nature, like an earthquake, trembling round!
All of nature is shaking around, like an earthquake!
All deities, like summer’s swarms, on wing!
All gods, like swarms of summer, are in the air!
All basking in the full meridian blaze!
All are soaking up the bright midday sun!
I see the Judge enthroned! the flaming guard!
I see the Judge on the throne! The blazing guard!
The volume open’d! open’d every heart!
The volume opened! It opened every heart!
A sunbeam pointing out each secret thought! 270
A ray of sunlight revealing every hidden thought!270
No patron! intercessor none! now past
No patron! No intercessor! Now it's done.
The sweet, the clement, mediatorial hour!
The sweet, kind, peaceful hour!
For guilt no plea! to pain, no pause! no bound!
For guilt, there’s no excuse! For pain, no break! No limits!
Inexorable, all! and all, extreme!
Unstoppable, everyone! And everything, intense!
Nor man alone; the Foe of God and man,
Nor man alone; the enemy of God and man,
From his dark den, blaspheming, drags his chain,
From his dark lair, cursing, he drags his chain,
And rears his brazen front, with thunder scarr’d:
And shows his bold face, marked by thunder:
Receives his sentence, and begins his hell.
Receives his sentence and starts his torment.
All vengeance past, now, seems abundant grace:
All past revenge now feels like plenty of grace:
Like meteors in a stormy sky, how roll 280
Like meteors in a stormy sky, how roll280
His baleful eyes! he curses whom he dreads;
His menacing eyes! He curses those he fears;
And deems it the first moment of his fall.
And considers it the first moment of his downfall.
’Tis present to my thought!—and yet where is it?
It's in my mind!—but where is it?
Angels can’t tell me; angels cannot guess
Angels can't tell me; angels can't guess.
The period; from created beings lock’d
The period; from created beings locked
In darkness. But the process, and the place,
In darkness. But the process, and the place,
Are less obscure; for these may man inquire.
Are less obscure; for these may man inquire.
Say, thou great close of human hopes and fears!
Say, you great end of human hopes and fears!
Great key of hearts! great finisher of fates!
Great key to hearts! Great determiner of destinies!
Great end! and great beginning! say, Where art thou?
Great ending! And great beginning! Tell me, where are you?
Art thou in time, or in eternity? 291
Are you in time, or in eternity?291
Nor in eternity, nor time, I find thee.
Nor in eternity, nor in time, do I find you.
These, as two monarchs, on their borders meet,
These two rulers meet at their borders,
(Monarchs of all elapsed, or unarrived!)
(Monarchs of all past and future!)
As in debate, how best their powers allied,
As in a debate, how best to combine their strengths,
May swell the grandeur, or discharge the wrath,
May enhance the greatness, or unleash the anger,
Of Him, whom both their monarchies obey.
Of Him, whom both their kingdoms follow.
Time, this vast fabric for him built (and doom’d
Time, this vast creation built for him (and doomed
With him to fall), now bursting o’er his head;
With him to collapse), now overflowing over his head;
His lamp, the sun, extinguish’d; from beneath 300
His lamp, the sun, went out; from beneath300
The frown of hideous darkness, calls his sons
The grim face of terrible darkness calls to his sons.
From their long slumber; from earth’s heaving womb,
From their long sleep; from the earth's restless core,
To second birth! contemporary throng!
To second birth! modern crowd!
Roused at one call, upstarted from one bed,
Roused by a single call, I jumped out of bed,
Press’d in one crowd, appall’d with one amaze,
Pressing together in one crowd, shocked by a single amazement,
He turns them o’er, Eternity! to thee.
He turns them over, Eternity! to you.
Then (as a king deposed disdains to live)
Then (as a deposed king refuses to live)
He falls on his own scythe; nor falls alone:
He falls on his own scythe; and he doesn’t fall alone:
His greatest foe falls with him; Time, and he
His greatest enemy falls with him; Time, and he
Who murder’d all Time’s offspring, Death, expire. 310
Who killed all of Time’s children, Death, dies.310
Time was! Eternity now reigns alone:
Time was! Eternity now rules alone:
Awful eternity! offended queen!
Awful eternity! Offended queen!
And her resentment to mankind, how just!
And her resentment towards humanity, how justified!
With kind intent, soliciting access,
Requesting access with goodwill,
How often has she knock’d at human hearts!
How often has she knocked on human hearts!
Rich to repay their hospitality;
Rich to return their kindness;
How often call’d! and with the voice of God!
How often I was called! And with the voice of God!
Yet bore repulse, excluded as a cheat!
Yet faced rejection, shut out as a fraud!
A dream! while foulest foes found welcome there!
A dream! while the worst enemies felt at home there!
A dream, a cheat, now, all things, but her smile. 320
A dream, a trick, now everything is just her smile.320
For, lo! her twice ten thousand gates thrown wide,
For, look! her twenty thousand gates thrown wide,
As thrice from Indus to the frozen pole,
As three times from the Indus to the frozen pole,
With banners streaming as the comet’s blaze,
With banners flying like the comet’s flame,
And clarions, louder than the deep in storms,
And trumpets, louder than the ocean during storms,
Sonorous as immortal breath can blow, 325
Sonorous as eternal breath can blow,325
Pour forth their myriads, potentates, and powers,
Pour out their countless leaders and forces,
Of light, of darkness; in a middle field,
Of light, of darkness; in a middle field,
Wide, as creation! populous, as wide!
Wide, like creation! Crowded, like it is wide!
A neutral region! there to mark th’ event
A neutral area! There to mark the event
Of that great drama, whose preceding scenes
Of that great drama, whose earlier scenes
Detain’d them close spectators, through a length
Detained them as close spectators for a while.
Of ages, ripening to this grand result; 332
Of ages, maturing to this great outcome;332
Ages, as yet unnumber’d, but by God;
Ages, still countless, but by God;
Who now, pronouncing sentence, vindicates
Who now, passing judgment, vindicates
The rights of Virtue, and his own renown.
The rights of Virtue and his own fame.
Eternity, the various sentence past,
Eternity, the different sentences before,
Assigns the sever’d throng distinct abodes,
Assigns the separated crowd distinct homes,
Sulphureous, or ambrosial. What ensues?
Sulfurous or sweet. What happens?
The deed predominant! the deed of deeds!
The act that stands out! The act of all acts!
Which makes a hell of hell, a heaven of heaven. 340
Which makes a hell of hell, a heaven of heaven.340
The goddess, with determined aspect, turns
The goddess, looking determined, turns
Her adamantine key’s enormous size
Her massive adamantine key
Through destiny’s inextricable wards,
Through fate's unbreakable barriers,
Deep driving every bolt, on both their fates.
Deeply affecting every decision, impacting both their destinies.
Then, from the crystal battlements of heaven,
Then, from the clear ramparts of heaven,
Down, down, she hurls it through the dark profound,
Down, down, she throws it through the deep, dark expanse,
Ten thousand thousand fathom; there to rust,
Ten million fathoms; there to rust,
And ne’er unlock her resolution more.
And never change her mind again.
The deep resounds; and hell, through all her glooms,
The deep echoes; and hell, through all its darkness,
Returns, in groans, the melancholy roar. 350
Returns, in groans, the sad roar.350
O how unlike the chorus of the skies!
O how different from the chorus of the skies!
O how unlike those shouts of joy, that shake
O how different those shouts of joy are, that shake
The whole ethereal! how the concave rings!
The whole thing is so otherworldly! Look at those curved rings!
Nor strange! when deities their voice exalt;
Nor is it strange! when gods raise their voices;
And louder far, than when creation rose,
And much louder than when creation began,
To see creation’s godlike aim, and end,
To understand the divine purpose and ultimate goal of creation,
So well accomplish’d! so divinely closed!
So well done! So beautifully finished!
To see the mighty dramatist’s last act,
To witness the great playwright's final act,
(As meet), in glory rising o’er the rest. 359
(As meet), in glory rising over the rest.359
No fancied god, a God indeed, descends,
No imagined god, a true God, comes down,
To solve all knots; to strike the moral home;
To untie all the knots; to drive the point home;
To throw full day on darkest scenes of time;
To spend the entire day in the darkest moments of life;
To clear, commend, exalt, and crown the whole.
To clarify, praise, uplift, and honor the entire thing.
Hence, in one peal of loud, eternal praise,
Hence, in one loud, everlasting praise,
The charm’d spectators thunder their applause;
The enchanted audience erupts in applause;
And the vast void beyond, applause resounds.
And the endless emptiness beyond, applause echoes.
What then am I?—
What am I then?—
Amidst applauding worlds,
In a round of applause,
And worlds celestial, is there found on earth,
And in the heavens, is it found on earth,
A peevish, dissonant, rebellious string, 370
A grumpy, discordant, rebellious string, 370
Which jars in the grand chorus, and complains?
Which jars in the grand chorus and complains?
Censure on thee, Lorenzo! I suspend,
Censure on you, Lorenzo! I suspend,
And turn it on myself; how greatly due!
And focus it on myself; how deserved!
All, all is right; by God ordain’d or done;
All, everything is fine; by God's decree or action;
And who, but God, resumed the friends He gave?
And who, besides God, brought back the friends He gave?
And have I been complaining, then, so long?
And have I really been complaining for this long?
Complaining of his favours; pain, and death?
Complaining about his favors, pain, and death?
Who, without Pain’s advice, would e’er be good?
Who, without Pain’s guidance, would ever be good?
Who, without Death, but would be good in vain?
Who, without Death, would strive to be good for nothing?
Pain is to save from pain; all punishment, 380
Pain exists to protect from further pain; all punishment, 380
To make for peace; and death, to save from Death;
To create peace; and death, to rescue from Death;
And second death, to guard immortal life;
And the second death, to protect eternal life;
To rouse the careless, the presumptuous awe,
To awaken the indifferent, the overconfident wonder,
And turn the tide of souls another way;
And change the direction of souls another way;
By the same tenderness divine ordain’d,
By the same divine tenderness ordained,
That planted Eden, and high bloom’d for man,
That created Eden, and thrived beautifully for humanity,
A fairer Eden, endless, in the skies.
A more just paradise, limitless, in the heavens.
Heaven gives us friends to bless the present scene;
Heaven gives us friends to make the moment better;
Resumes them, to prepare us for the next.
Resumes them, to get us ready for the next.
All evils natural are moral goods; 390
All natural evils are moral goods;390
All discipline, indulgence, on the whole.
Discipline, indulgence, and balance.
None are unhappy: all have cause to smile,
None are unhappy; everyone has a reason to smile.
But such as to themselves that cause deny. 393
But those who deny the cause to themselves.393
Our faults are at the bottom of our pains;
Our mistakes are the root of our suffering;
Error, in act, or judgment, is the source
Error, whether in action or judgment, is the source
Of endless sighs: we sin, or we mistake;
Of endless sighs: we sin or we make mistakes;
And Nature tax, when false opinion stings.
And the nature of tax, when misguided beliefs hurt.
Let impious grief be banish’d, joy indulged;
Let unholy sorrow be banished, and let joy be embraced;
But chiefly then, when Grief puts in her claim.
But mainly then, when Grief makes her demand.
Joy from the joyous, frequently betrays, 400
Joy from the joyful often betrays,400
Oft lives in vanity, and dies in woe.
Often lives in vanity, and dies in sorrow.
Joy, amidst ills, corroborates, exalts;
Joy, despite difficulties, confirms, uplifts;
’Tis joy and conquest; joy, and virtue too.
It’s joy and victory; joy, and goodness as well.
A noble fortitude in ills, delights
A strong courage in tough times brings joy.
Heaven, earth, ourselves; ’tis duty, glory, peace.
Heaven, earth, and ourselves; it's duty, glory, and peace.
Affliction is the good man’s shining scene;
Affliction is the good person’s bright moment;
Prosperity conceals his brightest ray;
Prosperity hides his brightest light;
As night to stars, woe lustre gives to man.
As night brings stars, sorrow gives a shine to a person.
Heroes in battle, pilots in the storm,
Heroes in battle, pilots in the storm,
And virtue in calamities, admire. 410
And admire virtue in hardships.
The crown of manhood is a winter-joy;
The crown of manhood is a winter joy;
An evergreen, that stands the northern blast,
An evergreen that withstands the northern winds,
And blossoms in the rigour of our fate.
And blooms in the harshness of our destiny.
’Tis a prime part of happiness, to know
’Tis a prime part of happiness, to know
How much unhappiness must prove our lot;
How much unhappiness must be our fate;
A part which few possess! I’ll pay life’s tax,
A part that few have! I’ll pay life’s dues,
Without one rebel murmur, from this hour,
Without a single rebellious whisper, from this moment,
Nor think it misery to be a man;
Nor consider it a misfortune to be a man;
Who thinks it is, shall never be a god.
Whoever believes it is, will never become a god.
Some ills we wish for, when we wish to live. 420
Some troubles we hope for when we want to live.420
What spoke proud Passion?—“Wish my being lost?”[53]
What did proud Passion say?—“Do you wish for my existence to disappear?”[53]
Presumptuous! blasphemous! absurd! and false!
Presumptuous! blasphemous! absurd! and false!
The triumph of my soul is,—that I am;
The greatest victory of my soul is that I exist;
And therefore that I may be—what? Lorenzo!
And so, what should I be—what? Lorenzo!
Look inward, and look deep; and deeper still;
Look inside, and go deep; and even deeper;
Unfathomably deep our treasure runs 426
Our treasure runs deep
In golden veins, through all eternity!
In golden veins, through all eternity!
Ages, and ages, and succeeding still
Ages and ages keep passing by.
New ages, where the phantom of an hour,
New ages, where the ghost of a moment,
Which courts each night, dull slumber, for repair,
Which courts each night, dull sleep, for restoration,
Shall wake, and wonder, and exult, and praise,
Shall wake, and wonder, and celebrate, and praise,
And fly through infinite, and all unlock;
And soar through the endless, and everything is unlocked;
And (if deserved) by Heaven’s redundant love, 433
And (if deserved) by Heaven’s abundant love,433
Made half adorable itself, adore;
Made itself half adorable, adore;
And find, in adoration, endless joy!
And discover, in admiration, endless happiness!
Where thou, not master of a moment here,
Where you, not in control of a moment here,
Frail as the flower, and fleeting as the gale,
Frail like a flower and fleeting like the wind,
May’st boast a whole eternity, enrich’d
May you boast a whole eternity, enriched
With all a kind Omnipotence can pour.
With everything that a kind all-powerful being can give.
Since Adam fell, no mortal, uninspired, 440
Since Adam fell, no human, without divine inspiration,440
Has ever yet conceived, or ever shall,
Has anyone ever imagined, or will ever imagine,
How kind is God, how great (if good) is Man.
How kind is God, how great (if good) is Man.
No man too largely from Heaven’s love can hope,
No man can hope too much from Heaven’s love,
If what is hoped he labours to secure.
If he's working hard to make sure that what he hopes for becomes a reality.
Ills?—there are none: All-gracious! none from thee;
Ills?—there are none: How wonderful! none from you;
From man full many! numerous is the race
From man, so many! The race is numerous.
Of blackest ills, and those immortal too,
Of the darkest troubles, and those that last forever,
Begot by Madness, on fair Liberty;
Begotten by Madness, on beautiful Liberty;
Heaven’s daughter, hell-debauch’d! her hand alone
Heaven’s daughter, hell-bent on pleasure! her hand alone
Unlocks destruction to the sons of men, 450
Unlocks destruction for humanity, 450
First barr’d by thine: high-wall’d with adamant,
First barred by yours: high-walled with unbreakable material,
Guarded with terrors reaching to this world,
Guarded by fears that reach into this world,
And cover’d with the thunders of thy law;
And surrounded by the power of your law;
Whose threats are mercies, whose injunctions, guides,
Whose threats are just a form of mercy, and whose commands serve as guidance,
Assisting, not restraining, Reason’s choice;
Supporting, not limiting, Reason’s choice;
Whose sanctions, unavoidable results
Whose sanctions, inevitable outcomes
From nature’s course, indulgently reveal’d;
From nature’s path, openly revealed;
If unreveal’d, more dangerous, nor less sure.
If it's not revealed, it's more dangerous and just as certain.
Thus, an indulgent father warns his sons,
Thus, a lenient father warns his sons,
“Do this; fly that”—nor always tells the cause; 460
“Do this; fly that”—it doesn't always explain why;460
Pleased to reward, as duty to his will,
Pleased to give a reward, as it's his will,
A conduct needful to their own repose.
A behavior necessary for their own peace of mind.
Great God of wonders! (if, thy love survey’d,
Great God of wonders! (if your love is observed,
Aught else the name of wonderful retains),
Aught else the name of wonderful keeps),
What rocks are these, on which to build our trust!
What solid ground is this, on which to build our trust!
Thy ways admit no blemish; none I find;
Your ways have no flaws; I find none;
Or this alone—“That none is to be found.”
Or this alone—“That no one can be found.”
Not one, to soften Censure’s hardy crime;
Not one, to soften Censure's harsh judgment;
Not one, to palliate peevish Grief’s Complaint,
Not one to ease the complaints of irritable grief,
Who, like a demon, murmuring from the dust, 470
Who, like a demon, murmurs from the dust,470
Dares into judgment call her Judge.—Supreme!
Dares to call her Judge. — Supreme!
For all I bless thee; most, for the severe;
For everything I thank you; mostly for the tough times;
That flaming bound of wrath omnipotent!
That blazing burst of unstoppable anger!
It thunders;—but it thunders to preserve;
It thunders;—but it thunders to protect;
It strengthens what it strikes; its wholesome dread
It gives strength to whatever it hits; its healthy fear
Averts the dreaded pain; its hideous groans
Averts the dreaded pain; its awful moans
Join heaven’s sweet hallelujahs in thy praise,
Join heaven’s sweet hallelujahs in your praise,
Great Source of good alone! how kind in all!
Great source of goodness alone! How kind in everything!
In vengeance kind! Pain, Death, Gehenna, save. 480
In revenge, right! Pain, Death, Hell, save.480
Thus, in thy world material, Mighty Mind!
Thus, in your material world, Mighty Mind!
Not that alone which solaces, and shines,
Not just what comforts and brightens,
The rough and gloomy, challenges our praise.
The rough and gloomy challenges our praise.
The winter is as needful as the spring;
The winter is just as necessary as the spring;
The thunder, as the sun; a stagnate mass
The thunder, like the sun; a still mass
Of vapours breeds a pestilential air:
Of vapor creates a toxic atmosphere:
To nature’s health, than purifying storms;
To the health of nature, more than cleansing storms;
The dread volcano ministers to good.
The terrifying volcano serves a purpose for good.
Its smother’d flames might undermine the world. 490
Its hidden flames could bring down the world.490
Loud Etnas fulminate in love to man;
Loud Etnas erupt passionately for humanity;
Comets good omens are, when duly scann’d; 492
Comets are good omens when they are properly observed;492
And, in their use, eclipses learn to shine.
And, in their use, eclipses learn to shine.
Man is responsible for ills received;
Man is responsible for the wrongs he experiences;
Those we call wretched are a chosen band,
Those we call unfortunate are a select group,
Compell’d to refuge in the right, for peace.
Forced to seek shelter in what is right, for peace.
Amid my list of blessings infinite,
Amid my many blessings,
Stands this the foremost, “That my heart has bled.”
Stands this the foremost, “That my heart has bled.”
’Tis Heaven’s last effort of good-will to man;
It’s heaven’s final act of kindness to humanity;
When Pain can’t bless, Heaven quits us in despair. 500
When Pain can’t bless, Heaven leaves us in despair.500
Who fails to grieve, when just occasion calls,
Who doesn’t grieve when the situation calls for it?
Or grieves too much, deserves not to be blest;
Or grieves too much, doesn't deserve to be blessed;
Inhuman, or effeminate, his heart;
Heartless or overly delicate;
Reason absolves the grief, which reason ends.
Reason frees us from grief, which reason resolves.
May Heaven ne’er trust my friend with happiness,
May Heaven never trust my friend with happiness,
Till it has taught him how to bear it well,
Till it has taught him how to handle it well,
By previous pain; and made it safe to smile!
By enduring past pain; and made it safe to smile!
Such smiles are mine, and such may they remain;
Such smiles are mine, and I hope they stay that way;
Nor hazard their extinction, from excess.
Nor risk their extinction from excess.
My change of heart a change of style demands; 510
My change of heart requires a change of style;510
The Consolation cancels the Complaint,
The Consolation overrides the Complaint,
And makes a convert of my guilty song.
And turns my guilty song into a new believer.
As when o’er-labour’d, and inclined to breathe,
As when overworked and needing to catch my breath,
A panting traveller, some rising ground,
A breathless traveler, some elevated land,
Some small ascent, has gain’d, he turns him round,
Some small ascent gained, he turns around,
And measures with his eye the various vales,
And looks over the different valleys,
The fields, woods, meads, and rivers, he has pass’d;
The fields, woods, meadows, and rivers, he has passed;
And, satiate of his journey, thinks of home,
And, tired from his journey, thinks about home,
Endear’d by distance, nor affects more toil;
Endeared by distance, but doesn't feel any more effort;
Thus I, though small, indeed, is that ascent 520
Thus I, though small, indeed, is that ascent520
The Muse has gain’d, review the paths she trod;
The Muse has gained, look back at the paths she took;
Various, extensive, beaten but by view;
Various, extensive, worn down but by sight;
And, conscious of her prudence in repose,
And, aware of her carefulness in rest,
Pause; and with pleasure meditate an end,
Pause, and happily think about an end,
Though still remote; so fruitful is my theme.
Though still distant; my topic is very fruitful.
Through many a field of moral, and divine, 526
Through many fields of morals and spirituality,526
The Muse has stray’d; and much of sorrow seen
The muse has wandered off, and has experienced a lot of sadness.
In human ways; and much of false and vain;
In human ways; and a lot of false and empty;
Which none, who travel this bad road, can miss.
Which no one traveling this rough road can overlook.
O’er friends deceased full heartily she wept;
She wept sincerely for her deceased friends;
Of love divine the wonders she display’d;
Of divine love, the wonders she showed;
Proved man immortal; show’d the source of joy
Proved that man is immortal; revealed the source of joy.
The grand tribunal raised; assign’d the bounds
The grand tribunal was set up; established the limits
Of human grief: in few, to close the whole,
Of human grief: in a few, to close everything,
The moral Muse has shadow’d out a sketch,
The moral Muse has outlined a plan,
Though not in form, nor with a Raphael-stroke,
Though not in appearance, nor with a Raphael touch,
Of most our weakness needs believe, or do,
Of all our weaknesses, we need to believe or act.
In this our land of travel, and of hope,
In our land of exploration and dreams,
For peace on earth, or prospect of the skies. 539
For peace on earth or a chance at the heavens.539
What then remains? much! much! a mighty debt
What’s left? A lot! A lot! A huge debt.
To be discharged: these thoughts, O Night! are thine;
To be released: these thoughts, oh Night! belong to you;
From thee they came, like lovers’ secret sighs,
From you they came, like whispered sighs of lovers,
While others slept. So, Cynthia (poets feign),
While others slept. So, Cynthia (poets pretend),
In shadows veil’d, soft-sliding from her sphere,
In shadows hidden, gently gliding from her place,
Her shepherd cheer’d; of her enamour’d less,
Her shepherd cheered; he was less in love with her,
Than I of thee.—And art thou still unsung,
Than I of thee.—And are you still not celebrated,
Beneath whose brow, and by whose aid, I sing?
Beneath whose brow, and with whose help, do I sing?
Immortal silence! where shall I begin?
Immortal silence! Where do I even start?
Where end? or how steal music from the spheres,
Where does it end? Or how do you steal music from the spheres,
To soothe their goddess? 550
To calm their goddess? 550
O majestic Night!
O majestic Night!
Nature’s great ancestor! Day’s elder-born!
Nature’s great ancestor! Day's firstborn!
And fated to survive the transient sun!
And destined to outlive the fleeting sun!
By mortals, and immortals, seen with awe!
By mortals and immortals, seen with wonder!
A starry crown thy raven brow adorns,
A starry crown sits beautifully on your dark hair,
An azure zone thy waist; clouds, in heaven’s loom
An blue area around your waist; clouds in the sky's weaving
Wrought through varieties of shape and shade,
Woven through different shapes and shades,
In ample folds of drapery divine,
In lots of beautiful fabric,
Thy flowing mantle form; and, heaven throughout,
Thy flowing cloak shape; and, heaven all around,
Voluminously pour thy pompous train. 560
Pour out your grand procession.
Thy gloomy grandeurs (nature’s most august,
Thy gloomy grandeurs (nature’s most august,
Inspiring aspect!) claim a grateful verse;
Inspiring aspect!) claim a thankful verse;
And, like a sable curtain starr’d with gold,
And, like a black curtain dotted with stars,
Drawn o’er my labours past, shall close the scene.
Drawn over my past efforts, the scene will come to an end.
And what, O man! so worthy to be sung?
And what, oh man! is so worthy of being celebrated?
What more prepares us for the songs of heaven?
What else gets us ready for the songs of heaven?
Creation, of archangels is the theme!
Creation of archangels is the theme!
What, to be sung, so needful? What so well
What needs to be sung? What is so important?
Celestial joys prepare us to sustain?
Celestial joys prepare us to endure?
The soul of man, His face design’d to see, 570
The soul of man, His face intended to see,570
Who gave these wonders to be seen by man,
Who made these wonders visible to humanity,
Has here a previous scene of objects great,
Has here a previous scene of great objects,
On which to dwell; to stretch to that expanse
On which to reflect; to reach out to that vastness
Of thought, to rise to that exalted height
Of thought, to reach that elevated level
Of admiration, to contract that awe,
Of admiration, to capture that awe,
And give her whole capacities that strength,
And give her all her abilities that strength,
Which best may qualify for final joy.
Which best may lead to ultimate happiness.
The more our spirits are enlarged on earth,
The more our spirits grow on earth,
The deeper draught shall they receive of heaven.
They will receive a deeper blessing from heaven.
Heaven’s King! whose face unveil’d consummates bliss;
Heaven's King! whose revealed face completes happiness;
Redundant bliss! which fills that mighty void, 581
Redundant joy! that fills that huge emptiness,581
The whole creation leaves in human hearts!
The entire creation resides in human hearts!
Thou, who didst touch the lip of Jesse’s son,
You, who touched the lips of Jesse's son,
Rapt in sweet contemplation of these fires,
Raptured in pleasant thoughts of these flames,
And set his harp in concert with the spheres;
And tuned his harp to play along with the cosmos;
While of thy works material the supreme
While of your material works the supreme
I dare attempt, assist my daring song.
I dare to try, support my bold song.
Loose me from earth’s enclosure, from the sun’s
Loose me from earth’s enclosure, from the sun’s
Contracted circle set my heart at large;
Contracted circle made my heart feel free;
Eliminate my spirit, give it range 590
Eliminate my spirit, give it freedom590
Through provinces of thought yet unexplored;
Through provinces of thought that are still uncharted;
Teach me, by this stupendous scaffolding,
Teach me, through this amazing framework,
Creation’s golden steps, to climb to Thee.
Creation’s golden steps, to rise to You.
Teach me with Art great Nature to control, 594
Teach me with Art to master great Nature,594
And spread a lustre o’er the shades of Night.
And spread a glow over the darkness of night.
Feel I thy kind assent? and shall the sun
Feel I your kind agreement? And will the sun
Be seen at midnight, rising in my song?
Be seen at midnight, rising in my song?
Lorenzo! come, and warm thee: thou, whose heart,
Lorenzo! Come, and warm yourself: you, whose heart,
Whose little heart, is moor’d within a nook
Whose little heart is anchored in a cozy spot
Of this obscure terrestrial, anchor weigh.
Of this obscure world, anchor weigh.
Another ocean calls, a nobler port;
Another ocean calls, a better harbor;
I am thy pilot, I thy prosperous gale. 602
I am your pilot, I your fortunate wind.602
Gainful thy voyage through yon azure main;
Gainful your journey through that blue ocean;
Main, without tempest, pirate, rock, or shore;
Main, without storms, pirates, rocks, or shores;
And whence thou may’st import eternal wealth;
And where you can bring in endless wealth;
And leave to beggar’d minds the pearl and gold.
And leave the pearls and gold to those who are poor in mind.
Thy travels dost thou boast o’er foreign realms?
Do you brag about your travels to foreign lands?
Thou stranger to the world! thy tour begin;
Thou stranger to the world! Your journey begins;
Thy tour through Nature’s universal orb.
Your journey through Nature's vast realm.
Nature delineates her whole chart at large, 610
Nature outlines her entire plan clearly,610
On soaring souls, that sail among the spheres;
On soaring souls that glide among the stars;
And man how purblind, if unknown the whole!
And man, how blind he is, if he doesn't know it all!
Who circles spacious earth, then travels here,
Who moves around the vast earth and then arrives here,
Shall own, he never was from home before!
Shall own, he was never away from home before!
Of false ambition; if unchain’d, we’ll mount;
Of false ambition; if unchained, we’ll rise;
We’ll, innocently, steal celestial fire,
We’ll, harmlessly, steal celestial fire,
And kindle our devotion at the stars;
And spark our passion with the stars;
A theft, that shall not chain, but set thee free.
A theft that won’t bind you, but will set you free.
Rain’s fountain-head, the magazine of hail;
Rain’s source, the magazine of hail;
Above the northern nests of feather’d snows,
Above the northern nests of feathered snow,
The brew of thunders, and the flaming forge
The mix of thunder and the blazing forge
That forms the crooked lightning; ’bove the caves
That creates the twisted lightning; above the caves
Where infant tempests wait their growing wings,
Where baby storms await their growing wings,
And tune their tender voices to that roar,
And adjust their gentle voices to that roar,
Which soon, perhaps, shall shake a guilty world; 627
Which might soon shake a guilty world; 627
Above misconstrued omens of the sky,
Above misunderstood signs in the sky,
Far-travell’d comets’ calculated blaze;
Traveling comets' calculated blaze;
Elance[58] thy thought, and think of more than man.
Elance[58] your thoughts, and consider more than just humanity.
Thy soul, till now, contracted, wither’d, shrunk,
Thy soul, until now, restricted, withered, shrunk,
Blighted by blasts of earth’s unwholesome air,
Blasted by the unhealthy air of the earth,
Will blossom here; spread all her faculties
Will flourish here; utilize all her abilities
To these bright ardours; every power unfold,
To these bright passions; every power reveal,
And rise into sublimities of thought.
And elevate into profound levels of thought.
Stars teach, as well as shine. At Nature’s birth,
Stars teach as well as shine. At Nature's birth,
Thus their commission ran—“Be kind to Man.”
Thus their commission ran—“Be kind to humankind.”
Where art thou, poor benighted traveller?
Where are you, poor lost traveler?
The stars will light thee, though the moon should fail.
The stars will guide you, even if the moon doesn't shine.
Where art thou, more benighted! more astray! 640
Where are you, even more lost! even more confused!640
In ways immoral? The stars call thee back;
In what way is it wrong? The stars are summoning you back;
And, if obey’d their counsel, set thee right.
And, if you follow their advice, it will put you on the right path.
This prospect vast, what is it?—Weigh’d aright,
This vast prospect, what is it?—Measured correctly,
’Tis Nature’s system of divinity,
It’s Nature’s system of divinity,
And every student of the Night inspires.
And every student of the Night inspires.
’Tis elder Scripture, writ by God’s own hand:
It’s ancient Scripture, written by God’s own hand:
Scripture authentic! uncorrupt by man.
Scripture authentic! uncorrupted by man.
Lorenzo! with my radius (the rich gift
Lorenzo! with my range (the valuable gift
Of thought nocturnal!) I’ll point out to thee
Of nocturnal thoughts!) I’ll show you
Its various lessons; some that may surprise 650
Its various lessons; some that may surprise650
An un-adept in mysteries of Night;
An amateur in the mysteries of Night;
Little, perhaps, expected in her school,
Little, perhaps, was expected in her school,
Nor thought to grow on planet, or on star.
Nor did they think to grow on a planet or a star.
Bulls, lions, scorpions, monsters here we feign;
Bulls, lions, scorpions, monsters — here we pretend;
Ourselves more monstrous, not to see what here
Ourselves more monstrous, not to see what here
Exists indeed;—a lecture to mankind.
Exists indeed;—a talk for humanity.
What read we here?—Th’ existence of a God?
What are we reading here?—The existence of a God?
Yes; and of other beings, man above;
Yes, and regarding other beings, man is at the top;
Natives of ether! sons of higher climes!
Natives of the ether! Sons of the higher realms!
And, what may move Lorenzo’s wonder more, 660
And what might amaze Lorenzo even more, 660
Eternity is written in the skies. 661
Eternity is written in the skies.661
And whose eternity?—Lorenzo! thine
And whose eternity?—Lorenzo! yours
Mankind’s eternity. Nor Faith alone,
Humanity's eternity. Nor Faith alone,
Virtue grows here; here springs the sovereign cure
Virtue thrives here; here is the ultimate remedy
Of almost every vice; but chiefly thine;
Of almost every vice; but mainly yours;
Wrath, Pride, Ambition, and impure Desire.
Wrath, Pride, Ambition, and unclean Desire.
Lorenzo! thou canst wake at midnight too,
Lorenzo! You can wake at midnight too,
Though not on morals bent: Ambition, Pleasure!
Though not focused on morals: Ambition, Pleasure!
Afford their harass’d slaves but slender rest. 670
Afford their harassed slaves only a little rest.670
Thou, to whom midnight is immoral noon,
You, for whom midnight is an immoral noon,
And the sun’s noontide blaze, prime dawn of day;
And the sun’s bright midday light, the best part of the day;
Not by thy climate, but capricious crime,
Not by your climate, but by unpredictable crime,
Commencing one of our antipodes!
Starting one of our opposites!
In thy nocturnal rove, one moment halt,
In your nighttime wander, pause for a moment,
’Twixt stage and stage, of riot, and cabal;
’Twixt stage and stage, of riot, and cabal;
And lift thine eye (if bold an eye to lift,
And lift your eye (if you're bold enough to lift it,
If bold to meet the face of injured Heaven)
If you're brave enough to confront the wounded heavens,
To yonder stars: for other ends they shine,
To those stars up there: they shine for different purposes,
Than to light revellers from shame to shame, 680
Than to guide party-goers from one embarrassment to another,680
And, thus, be made accomplices in guilt.
And so, become partners in wrongdoing.
Why from yon arch, that infinite of space,
Why from that arch over there, that endless expanse,
With infinite of lucid orbs replete,
With countless bright lights filled,
Which set the living firmament on fire,
Which set the living sky on fire,
At the first glance, in such an overwhelm
At first glance, in such an overwhelming
Of wonderful, on man’s astonish’d sight,
Of wonder, on man's amazed sight,
Rushes Omnipotence—To curb our pride;
Rushes Omnipotence—To check our pride;
Our reason rouse, and lead it to that Power,
Our reason awakens and directs it to that Power,
Whose love lets down these silver chains of light;
Whose love releases these silver chains of light;
To draw up man’s ambition to Himself, 690
To attract man's ambition to Himself,690
And bind our chaste affections to His throne.
And connect our pure feelings to His throne.
Thus the three virtues, least alive on earth,
Thus the three virtues, least present on earth,
And welcomed on heaven’s coast with most applause,
And welcomed on heaven’s shore with lots of applause,
An humble, pure, and heavenly-minded heart, 694
An humble, pure, and heavenly-minded heart,694
Are here inspired:—and canst thou gaze too long?
Are you inspired here:—and can you gaze too long?
Nor stands thy wrath deprived of its reproof,
Nor is your anger without its criticism,
Or un-upbraided by this radiant choir.
Or unchallenged by this radiant choir.
The planets of each system represent
The planets in each system represent
Kind neighbours; mutual amity prevails;
Kind neighbors; mutual friendship prevails;
Sweet interchange of rays, received, return’d;
Sweet exchange of rays, received and returned;
Enlightening, and enlighten’d! all, at once,
Enlightening, and enlightened! all, at once,
Attracting, and attracted! Patriot like, 702
Attracting and attracted! Patriot like, 702
None sins against the welfare of the whole;
None act against the well-being of everyone.
But their reciprocal, unselfish aid,
But their mutual, selfless support,
Affords an emblem of millennial love.
Offers a symbol of millennial love.
Nothing in nature, much less conscious being,
Nothing in nature, especially not conscious beings,
Was e’er created solely for itself:
Was ever created solely for itself:
Thus man his sovereign duty learns in this
Thus, man learns his supreme duty in this
Material picture of benevolence.
Image of kindness.
And know, of all our supercilious race, 710
And know, of all our arrogant kind,710
Thou most inflammable! thou wasp of men!
You are so combustible! You little wasp!
Man’s angry heart, inspected, would be found
Man’s angry heart, when examined, would be found
As rightly set, as are the starry spheres;
As correctly arranged as the starry skies;
’Tis Nature’s structure, broke by stubborn will,
It’s Nature’s design, interrupted by stubborn will,
Breeds all that uncelestial discord there.
Breeds all that crazy conflict there.
Wilt thou not feel the bias Nature gave?
Will you not feel the bias that nature gave?
Canst thou descend from converse with the skies,
Can you come down from talking to the heavens,
And seize thy brother’s throat?—For what—a clod,
And grab your brother's throat?—For what—a lump,
An inch of earth? The planets cry, “Forbear!”
An inch of earth? The planets shout, "Hold on!"
They chase our double darkness; Nature’s gloom, 720
They pursue our deep darkness; Nature’s shadow,720
And (kinder still!) our intellectual night.
And (even better!) our intellectual night.
And see, Day’s amiable sister sends
And look, Day's friendly sister sends
Her invitation, in the softest rays
Her invitation, in the softest rays
Of mitigated lustre; courts thy sight,
Of dull shine; seeks your attention,
Which suffers from her tyrant brother’s blaze.
Which suffers from her tyrant brother’s wrath.
Night grants thee the full freedom of the skies,
Night gives you complete freedom of the skies,
Nor rudely reprimands thy lifted eye;
Nor harshly scolds your raised gaze;
With gain, and joy, she bribes thee to be wise. 728
With gain and joy, she encourages you to be wise.728
Night opes the noblest scenes, and sheds an awe,
Night opens the grandest scenes and creates a sense of wonder,
Which gives those venerable scenes full weight,
Which gives those honored scenes full significance,
And deep reception, in th’ intender’d heart;
And deep acceptance, in the intended heart;
While light peeps through the darkness, like a spy;
While light sneaks through the darkness, like a spy;
And darkness shows its grandeur by the light.
And darkness reveals its greatness through the light.
Nor is the profit greater than the joy,
Nor is the profit greater than the joy,
If human hearts at glorious objects glow,
If human hearts light up at beautiful things,
And admiration can inspire delight.
Admiration can spark joy.
What speak I more, than I, this moment, feel?
What more can I say than what I feel right now?
With pleasing stupor first the soul is struck
With a pleasant daze, the soul is first impacted
(Stupor ordain’d to make her truly wise!):
(Stupor intended to make her genuinely wise!):
Then into transport starting from her trance, 740
Then into transport starting from her trance,740
With love, and admiration, how she glows!
With love and admiration, how she shines!
This gorgeous apparatus! this display!
This stunning device! This display!
This ostentation of creative power!
This display of creative power!
This theatre!—what eye can take it in?
This theater!—what eye can take it all in?
By what divine enchantment was it raised,
By what magical spell was it lifted,
For minds of the first magnitude to launch
For brilliant minds to take off
In endless speculation, and adore?
In endless speculation, and love?
One sun by day, by night ten thousand shine;
One sun shines during the day, while at night ten thousand twinkle;
And light us deep into the Deity;
And guide us deep into the Divine;
How boundless in magnificence and might! 750
How limitless in beauty and power!750
O what a confluence of ethereal fires,
O what a mix of heavenly flames,
Form urns unnumber’d, down the steep of heaven,
Form urns unnumbered, down the steep of heaven,
Streams to a point, and centres in my sight!
Streams to a point and focuses in my view!
Nor tarries there; I feel it at my heart.
Nor lingers there; I feel it in my heart.
My heart, at once, it humbles, and exalts;
My heart humbles and lifts me at the same time;
Lays it in dust, and calls it to the skies.
Lays it in the dirt and calls it to the heavens.
Who sees it unexalted? or unawed?
Who sees it without feeling amazed or inspired?
Who sees it, and can stop at what is seen?
Who sees it, and can pause at what they see?
Material offspring of Omnipotence!
Material children of Omnipotence!
Inanimate, all-animating birth! 760
Inanimate, all-animating creation! 760
Work worthy Him who made it! worthy praise!
Work worthy of Him who created it! Worthy of praise!
All praise! praise more than human! nor denied 762
All praise! More than human praise! Nor is it denied762
Thy praise divine!—But though man, drown’d in sleep,
Thy praise divine!—But even though man, caught in sleep,
Withholds his homage, not alone I wake;
Withholds his respect, I'm not waking alone;
Bright legions swarm unseen, and sing, unheard
Bright legions swarm unseen and sing, unheard.
By mortal ear, the glorious Architect,
By human ears, the magnificent Creator,
In this His universal temple hung
In this universal temple of His hung
With lustres, with innumerable lights,
With chandeliers, with countless lights,
That shed religion on the soul; at once,
That illuminated the soul; at once,
The temple, and the preacher! O how loud 770
The temple, and the preacher! Oh how loud770
It calls devotion! genuine growth of Night!
It calls for devotion! True growth of Night!
Devotion! daughter of Astronomy!
Devotion! child of Astronomy!
An undevout astronomer is mad.
A non-believer astronomer is crazy.
True; all things speak a God; but in the small,
True; everything expresses a God; but in the small,
Men trace out Him; in great, He seizes man;
Men seek Him out; in His greatness, He takes hold of man;
Seizes, and elevates, and wraps, and fills
Grabs, lifts, wraps, and fills
With new inquiries, ’mid associates new.
With new questions among new associates.
Tell me, ye stars! ye planets! tell me, all
Tell me, you stars! You planets! Tell me, everyone
Ye starr’d, and planeted, inhabitants! what is it?
You starry, planetary inhabitants! What is it?
What are these sons of wonder? say, proud arch 780
What are these amazing sons? tell me, proud arch
(Within those azure palaces they dwell),
(Within those blue palaces they live),
Built with divine ambition! in disdain
Built with divine ambition! in disdain
Of limit built! built in the taste of heaven!
Of limit built! Built in the taste of heaven!
Vast concave! ample dome! wast thou design’d
Vast concave! Ample dome! Were you designed
A meet apartment for the Deity?—
A nice apartment for the Deity?—
Not so; that thought alone thy state impairs,
Not at all; that thought alone weakens your situation,
Thy lofty sinks, and shallows thy profound,
Thy high sinks, and shallows thy deep,
And straitens thy diffusive; dwarfs the whole,
And restricts your spread; shrinks everything down,
But when I drop mine eye, and look on man, 790
But when I look down and see people, 790
Thy right regain’d, thy grandeur is restored,
Your right restored, your grandeur is back,
O Nature! wide flies off th’ expanding round.
O Nature! wide flies off the expanding round.
As when whole magazines, at once, are fired,
As when entire magazines are fired all at once,
The smitten air is hollow’d by the blow;
The enchanted air is hollowed by the impact;
The vast displosion dissipates the clouds;
The vast explosion clears away the clouds;
Shock’d ether’s billows dash the distant skies; 796
Shock'd ether's billows dash the distant skies;796
Thus (but far more) th’ expanding round flies off,
Thus (but far more) the expanding round flies off,
And leaves a mighty void, a spacious womb,
And leaves a huge emptiness, a wide empty space,
Might teem with new creation; reinflamed
Might be filled with new creation; reignited
Thy luminaries triumph, and assume
Your stars shine bright and take
Divinity themselves. Nor was it strange,
Divinity itself. It wasn't strange,
Matter high-wrought to such surprising pomp,
Matter high-wrought to such surprising grandeur,
Such godlike glory, stole the style of gods, 803
Such godlike glory took on the style of the gods,803
From ages dark, obtuse, and steep’d in sense;
From dark, confusing times full of heavy thoughts;
For, sure, to sense, they truly are divine,
For sure, to feel, they really are divine,
And half absolved idolatry from guilt;
And partly freed idolatry from blame;
Nay, turn’d it into virtue. Such it was
Nay, it turned into a virtue. That's how it was.
In those, who put forth all they had of man
In those who gave everything they had as humans
Unlost, to lift their thought, nor mounted higher;
Unlost, to elevate their thinking, nor risen higher;
But, weak of wing, on planets perch’d; and thought 810
But, weak of wing, perched on planets; and thought810
What was their highest, must be their adored.
What they valued most must be what they love.
But they how weak, who could no higher mount?
But they are weak, who could not climb any higher?
And are there, then, Lorenzo! those, to whom
And are there, then, Lorenzo! those, to whom
Unseen, and unexistent, are the same?
Unseen and nonexistent, are they the same?
And if incomprehensible is join’d,
And if incomprehensible is joined,
Who dare pronounce it madness, to believe?
Who would call it madness to believe?
Why has the mighty Builder thrown aside
Why has the powerful Builder cast aside
All measure in His work; stretch’d out His line
All measure in His work; stretched out His line
So far, and spread amazement o’er the whole?
So far, has it spread surprise all around?
Then (as he took delight in wide extremes), 820
Then (as he took delight in wide extremes),820
Deep in the bosom of His universe,
Deep in the heart of His universe,
Dropp’d down that reasoning mite, that insect, Man,
Dropping down that tiny reasoning bug, that creature, Man,
To crawl, and gaze, and wonder at the scene?—
To crawl, look around, and be amazed by the scene?—
That man might ne’er presume to plead amazement
That man should never assume to claim shock
For disbelief of wonders in himself.
For not believing in the wonders within himself.
Shall God be less miraculous, than what
Shall God be less miraculous than what
His hand has form’d? Shall mysteries descend
His hand has shaped? Will mysteries come down
From unmysterious? things more elevate,
From obvious things more elevate,
Be more familiar? uncreated lie
Be more familiar? Unmade lie.
More obvious than created, to the grasp 830
More apparent than made, to the understanding830
Of human thought? The more of wonderful
Of human thought? The more wonderful
Is heard in Him, the more we should assent.
Is heard in Him, the more we should agree.
Could we conceive Him, God He could not be;
Could we imagine Him, He couldn’t be God;
Or He not God, or we could not be men.
Or He is not God, or we can't be human.
A God alone can comprehend a God;
A God alone can understand a God;
Man’s distance how immense! On such a theme,
Man’s distance is so immense! On such a theme,
Know this, Lorenzo! (seem it ne’er so strange)
Know this, Lorenzo! (even if it seems really strange)
Nothing can satisfy, but what confounds;
Nothing can satisfy except what confuses;
Nothing, but what astonishes, is true.
Nothing astonishing is true.
The scene thou seest, attests the truth I sing, 840
The scene you see proves the truth I’m sharing,840
And every star sheds light upon thy creed.
And every star shines light on your beliefs.
These stars, this furniture, this cost of heaven,
These stars, this furniture, this price of heaven,
If but reported, thou hadst ne’er believed;
If it were reported, you would never have believed;
But thine eye tells thee, the romance is true.
But your eye tells you, the romance is true.
The grand of nature is th’ Almighty’s oath,
The greatness of nature is the Almighty's promise,
In Reason’s court, to silence Unbelief.
In Reason’s court, to quiet Doubt.
How my mind, opening at this scene, imbibes
How my mind, opening to this scene, absorbs
The moral emanations of the skies,
The moral influences of the skies,
While nought, perhaps, Lorenzo less admires!
While nothing, perhaps, Lorenzo admires less!
Has the Great Sovereign sent ten thousand worlds 850
Has the Great Sovereign sent out ten thousand worlds850
To tells us, He resides above them all,
To tell us, He lives above them all,
In glory’s unapproachable recess?
In glory's unattainable depths?
And dare earth’s bold inhabitants deny
And dare the brave people of the earth deny
The sumptuous, the magnific embassy
The lavish, magnificent embassy
A moment’s audience? Turn we, nor will hear
A moment's audience? Let's not, and we won't listen.
From whom they come, or what they would impart
From whom they come, or what they want to share
For man’s emolument; sole cause that stoops
For man's benefit; the only reason that lowers
Their grandeur to man’s eye? Lorenzo! rouse;
Their grandeur to man’s eye? Lorenzo! Wake up;
Let thought, awaken’d, take the lightning’s wing,
Let the awakened thought take the lightning's wing,
And glance from east to west, from pole to pole. 860
And look from east to west, from one pole to the other.860
Who sees, but is confounded, or convinced?
Who sees but is confused or persuaded?
Renounces reason, or a God adores?
Renounces reason, or does it worship a God?
Mankind was sent into the world to see:
Mankind was sent into the world to observe:
Sight gives the science needful to their peace; 864
Sight provides the understanding necessary for their peace; 864
That obvious science asks small learning’s aid.
That clear science seeks help from small learning.
Would’st thou on metaphysic pinions soar?
Would you soar on metaphysical wings?
Or wound thy patience amid logic thorns?
Or hurt your patience with logical troubles?
Or travel history’s enormous round?
Or travel history's vast journey?
Nature no such hard task enjoins: she gave
Nature doesn’t impose such a hard task: she gave
A make to man directive of his thought;
A directive from a person about his thoughts;
A make set upright, pointing to the stars,
A make set upright, pointing to the stars,
As who shall say, “Read thy chief lesson there.” 872
As someone might say, “Read your main lesson there.”872
Too late to read this manuscript of heaven,
Too late to read this heavenly manuscript,
When, like a parchment scroll, shrunk up by flames,
When, like a parchment scroll, curled up by flames,
It folds Lorenzo’s lesson from his sight.
It hides Lorenzo’s lesson from his view.
Lesson how various! Not the God alone,
Lesson how various! Not the God alone,
I see His ministers; I see, diffused
I see His ministers; I see, spread out
In radiant orders, essences sublime,
In bright arrangements, divine essences,
Of various offices, of various plume,
Of different roles, of various feathers,
In heavenly liveries, distinctly clad, 880
In heavenly outfits, distinctly dressed,
Azure, green, purple, pearl, or downy gold,
Azure, green, purple, pearl, or soft gold,
Or all commix’d; they stand, with wings outspread,
Or all mixed together; they stand, with their wings spread wide,
Listening to catch the Master’s least command,
Listening for the Master’s slightest command,
And fly through nature, ere the moment ends;
And soar through nature before the moment passes;
Numbers innumerable!—well conceived
Countless numbers!—well thought out
By Pagan, and by Christian! O’er each sphere
By Pagan and by Christian! Over each sphere
Presides an angel, to direct its course,
Presides an angel, to guide its path,
And feed, or fan, its flames; or to discharge
And feed, or fan, its flames; or to discharge
Other high trusts unknown. For who can see
Other high trusts unknown. For who can see
Such pomp of matter, and imagine, Mind, 890
Such extravagance of substance, and think, Mind, 890
For which alone Inanimate was made,
For which only the inanimate was created,
More sparingly dispensed? that nobler son,
More sparingly given? that nobler son,
Far liker the great Sire!—’Tis thus the skies
Far liker the great Lord!—It’s like this, the skies
Inform us of superiors numberless,
Tell us about countless superiors,
As much, in excellence, above mankind,
As much, in greatness, above humanity,
As above earth, in magnitude, the spheres.
As above the earth, in size, the spheres.
These, as a cloud of witnesses, hang o’er us;
These, like a crowd of witnesses, look down on us;
In a throng’d theatre are all our deeds; 898
In a crowded theater are all our actions;898
Perhaps, a thousand demigods descend
Maybe a thousand demigods arrive
On every beam we see, to walk with men.
On every beam we see, to walk with people.
Awful reflection! Strong restraint from ill!
Awful reflection! Strong control over bad things!
Yet, here, our virtue finds still stronger aid
Yet, here, our goodness finds even greater support.
From these ethereal glories sense surveys.
From these celestial wonders, perception takes in.
Something, like magic, strikes from this blue vault;
Something like magic strikes from this blue sky;
With just attention is it view’d? We feel
With just attention, is it viewed? We feel
A sudden succour, unimplored, unthought;
A sudden help, unasked, unexpected;
Nature herself does half the work of Man.
Nature herself does half the work for humans.
Seas, rivers, mountains, forests, deserts, rocks,
Seas, rivers, mountains, forests, deserts, rocks,
The promontory’s height, the depth profound
The height of the cliff, the deep abyss
Black brow’d, and vaulted high, and yawning wide
Black browed, and arched high, and gaping wide
From Nature’s structure, or the scoop of Time;
From Nature's design, or the flow of Time;
If ample of dimension, vast of size,
If large in size, huge in scale,
Even these an aggrandizing impulse give;
Even these have a tendency to boast.
Of solemn thought enthusiastic heights
Of serious thought and excitement
Even these infuse.—But what of vast in these?
Even these infuse. But what is vast about these?
Nothing;—or we must own the skies forgot.
Nothing;—or we must admit the skies have forgotten.
Much less in art.—Vain art! Thou pigmy power!
Much less in art.—Vain art! You tiny power!
How dost thou swell and strut, with human pride,
How do you swell and strut with human pride,
To show thy littleness! What childish toys, 920
To show your smallness! What silly toys,920
Thy watery columns squirted to the clouds!
Your watery jets sprayed up to the clouds!
Thy basin’d rivers, and imprison’d seas!
Your dammed rivers and trapped seas!
Thy mountains moulded into forms of men!
Your mountains shaped into the forms of men!
Thy hundred-gated capitals! or those
Your hundred-gated capitals! or those
Where three days’ travel left us much to ride;
Where three days of travel left us with a lot more to ride;
Gazing on miracles by mortals wrought,
Gazing at the miracles created by humans,
Arches triumphal, theatres immense,
Triumphal arches, massive theaters,
Or nodding gardens pendent in mid-air!
Or nodding gardens hanging in mid-air!
Or temples proud to meet their gods half-way!
Or temples eager to meet their gods halfway!
Yet these affect us in no common kind. 930
Yet these affect us in no ordinary way.930
What then the force of such superior scenes?
What, then, is the impact of such amazing views?
Enter a temple, it will strike an awe: 932
Enter a temple, and it will inspire awe:932
What awe from this the Deity has built!
What awe this Deity has created!
A good man seen, though silent, counsel gives:
A good man, even when quiet, gives advice:
The touch’d spectator wishes to be wise:
The affected viewer wants to be wise:
In a bright mirror His own hands have made,
In a bright mirror he made himself,
Here we see something like the face of God.
Here we see something resembling the face of God.
Seems it not then enough, to say, Lorenzo!
Seems it isn't enough to say, Lorenzo!
To man abandon’d, “Hast thou seen the skies?”
To a man who is lost, “Have you seen the skies?”
And yet, so thwarted Nature’s kind design 940
And yet, Nature's kind design was so disrupted.
By daring man, he makes her sacred awe
By daring man, he turns her into something sacred and awe-inspiring.
(That guard from ill) his shelter, his temptation
(That guard from ill) his shelter, his temptation
To more than common guilt, and quite inverts
To more than just common guilt, and completely flips
Celestial art’s intent. The trembling stars
Celestial art’s intent. The trembling stars
See crimes gigantic, stalking through the gloom
See huge crimes lurking in the shadows.
With front erect, that hide their head by day,
With heads held high, they hide during the day,
And making night still darker by their deeds.
And making the night even darker with their actions.
Slumbering in covert, till the shades descend,
Slumbering in hiding, until the shadows fall,
Rapine and Murder, link’d, now prowl for prey.
Rapine and murder, now linked, are out looking for victims.
The miser earths his treasure; and the thief, 950
The miser buries his treasure; and the thief,950
Watching the mole, half beggars him ere morn.
Watching the mole, half begging him before dawn.
Now plots, and foul conspiracies, awake;
Now schemes and dirty plots, rise;
And, muffling up their horrors from the moon,
And, hiding their fears from the moon,
Havoc and devastation they prepare,
They prepare for chaos and destruction,
And kingdoms tottering in the field of blood.
And kingdoms stumbling in the battlefield.
Now sons of riot in mid-revel rage.
Now sons of chaos in the midst of their wild celebration.
What shall I do?—suppress it? or proclaim?—
What should I do?—keep it to myself? or share it?—
Why sleeps the thunder? Now, Lorenzo! now,
Why is the thunder sleeping? Now, Lorenzo! Now,
His best friend’s couch the rank adulterer
His best friend's couch, the notorious cheater.
Ascends secure; and laughs at gods and men. 960
Ascends confidently; and laughs at gods and people.960
Preposterous madmen, void of fear or shame,
Preposterous madmen, lacking any fear or shame,
Lay their crimes bare to these chaste eyes of Heaven;
Lay their crimes bare to these pure eyes of Heaven;
Yet shrink, and shudder, at a mortal’s sight.
Yet shrink back and tremble at the sight of a human.
Were moon, and stars, for villains only made?
Were the moon and stars created just for villains?
To guide, yet screen them, with tenebrious[62] light?
To guide them while keeping them in the dark[62]?
No; they were made to fashion the sublime 966
No; they were created to shape the sublime966
Of human hearts, and wiser make the wise.
Of human hearts, and make the wise even wiser.
Those ends were answer’d once; when mortals lived
Those ends were answered once; when humans lived
Of stronger wing, of aquiline ascent
Of a stronger wing, of eagle-like rise
In theory sublime. O how unlike
In theory, it’s amazing. Oh, how different
Those vermin of the night, this moment sung,
Those pests of the night, this moment sung,
Who crawl on earth, and on her venom feed! 972
Who crawl on the earth, and feed on her poison!972
Those ancient sages, human stars! They met
Those ancient sages, human stars! They met
Their brothers of the skies, at midnight hour;
Their brothers of the skies, at midnight hour;
Their counsel ask’d; and, what they ask’d, obey’d.
Their advisors asked, and what they asked, they followed.
In these unbounded, and Elysian, walks,
In these endless, dreamy walks,
An area fit for gods, and godlike men, 980
An area suitable for gods and godlike people,980
They took their nightly round, through radiant paths
They took their nightly walk along bright paths
By seraphs trod; instructed, chiefly, thus,
By seraphs walked; instructed mainly, like this,
To tread in their bright footsteps here below;
To follow in their bright footsteps down here;
To walk in worth still brighter than the skies.
To walk in a value that's even brighter than the skies.
There they contracted their contempt of earth;
There they expressed their disdain for the world;
Of hopes eternal kindled, there, the fire;
Of hopes that last forever, there, the fire;
There, as in near approach, they glow’d, and grew
There, as they got closer, they glowed and grew
(Great visitants!) more intimate with God,
(Great visitors!) more intimate with God,
More worth to men, more joyous to themselves.
More valuable to men, more happy for themselves.
Through various virtues, they, with ardour, ran 990
Through various virtues, they enthusiastically ran990
The zodiac of their learn’d, illustrious lives.
The zodiac of their knowledgeable, remarkable lives.
In Christian hearts, O for a Pagan zeal!
In Christian hearts, oh for a Pagan enthusiasm!
A needful, but opprobrious prayer! As much
A necessary, but shameful prayer! As much
Our ardour less, as greater is our light.
Our passion is less, as our light is greater.
How monstrous this in morals! Scarce more strange
How monstrous this is in morals! It's hardly more strange
Would this phenomenon in nature strike,
Would this phenomenon in nature occur,
A sun, that froze her, or a star, that warm’d.
A sun that froze her, or a star that warmed.
What taught these heroes of the moral world? 998
What taught these heroes of the moral world?998
To these thou givest thy praise, give credit too.
To these, you give your praise; give credit as well.
These doctors ne’er were pension’d to deceive thee;
These doctors were never paid to fool you;
And Pagan tutors are thy taste.—They taught,
And Pagan tutors are your preference.—They taught,
That, narrow views betray to misery:
That narrow perspectives lead to suffering:
That, wise it is to comprehend the whole:
That, it is wise to understand the whole:
That, virtue, rose from nature, ponder’d well,
That virtue came from nature, thought about carefully,
The single base of virtue built to heaven:
The sole foundation of virtue raised to the heavens:
That God, and nature, our attention claim:
That God and nature demand our attention:
That nature is the glass reflecting God,
That nature reflects God like a mirror,
As, by the sea, reflected is the sun,
As the sun reflects off the sea,
Too glorious to be gazed on in his sphere:
Too magnificent to be looked at in his realm:
That, mind immortal loves immortal aims: 1010
That, mind immortal loves immortal aims:1010
That, boundless mind affects a boundless space:
That, limitless mind influences an endless space:
That vast surveys, and the sublime of things,
That extensive exploration and the greatness of things,
The soul assimilate, and make her great:
The soul takes in and becomes great:
That, therefore, heaven her glories, as a fund
That, therefore, heaven her glories, as a fund
Of inspiration, thus spreads out to man.
Of inspiration, thus spreads out to people.
Such are their doctrines; such the Night inspired.
Such are their beliefs; such the Night inspired.
And what more true? what truth of greater weight?
And what could be more true? What truth could hold more weight?
The soul of man was made to walk the skies;
The soul of a person was meant to soar through the skies;
Delightful outlet of her prison here!
Delightful escape from her confinement here!
There, disencumber’d from her chains, the ties 1020
There, freed from her chains, the ties
Of toys terrestrial, she can rove at large;
Of earthly toys, she can roam freely;
There, freely can respire, dilate, extend,
There, you can breathe easily, expand, and stretch,
In full proportion let loose all her powers;
In full measure, unleash all her abilities;
And, undeluded, grasp at something great.
And, without any illusions, reach for something amazing.
Nor, as a stranger, does she wander there;
Nor does she wander there as a stranger;
But, wonderful herself, through wonder strays;
But, wonderfully herself, she wanders through wonder;
Contemplating their grandeur, finds her own;
Contemplating their greatness, she discovers her own.
Dives deep in their economy divine,
Dives deep in their divine economy,
Sits high in judgment on their various laws,
Sits in judgment over their various laws,
And, like a master, judges not amiss. 1030
And, like a master, judges correctly.1030
Hence greatly pleased, and justly proud, the soul
Hence greatly pleased, and justly proud, the soul
Grows conscious of her birth celestial; breathes 1032
Grows aware of her heavenly origins; breathes1032
More life, more vigour, in her native air;
More life, more energy, in her home environment;
And feels herself at home amongst the stars;
And feels at home among the stars;
And, feeling, emulates her country’s praise.
And, feeling, imitates her country’s praise.
What call we, then, the firmament, Lorenzo?—
What do we call the sky, Lorenzo?—
As earth the body, since the skies sustain
As earth supports the body, just as the skies provide sustenance.
The soul with food, that gives immortal life,
The soul with food that provides eternal life,
Call it, the noble pasture of the mind;
Call it the noble pasture of the mind;
Which there expatiates, strengthens, and exults, 1040
Which there elaborates, reinforces, and celebrates,1040
And riots through the luxuries of thought.
And chaos disrupts the pleasures of thinking.
Call it, the garden of the Deity,
Call it the garden of the God.
Blossom’d with stars, redundant in the growth
Blossomed with stars, overflowing with growth
Of fruit ambrosial; moral fruit to man.
Of delicious fruit; beneficial fruit for humanity.
Call it, the breastplate of the true High Priest,
Call it, the breastplate of the true High Priest,
Ardent with gems oracular, that give,
Ardent with prophetic gems that give,
In points of highest moment, right response;
In the most important situations, the right reaction;
And ill neglected, if we prize our peace.
And we will be poorly taken care of if we value our peace.
Thus, have we found a true astrology;
Thus, we have found a true astrology;
Thus, have we found a new, and noble sense, 1050
Thus, we have discovered a new and noble understanding,1050
In which alone stars govern human fates.
In which only the stars control human destinies.
O that the stars (as some have feign’d) let fall
O that the stars (as some have imagined) would drop
Bloodshed, and havoc, on embattled realms,
Bloodshed and chaos in war-torn lands,
And rescued monarchs from so black a guilt!
And saved kings from such a terrible罪恶!
Bourbon! this wish how generous in a foe!
Bourbon! What a generous wish from an enemy!
Would’st thou be great, would’st thou become a god,
Would you like to be great, would you like to become a god,
And stick thy deathless name among the stars,
And place your timeless name among the stars,
For mighty conquests on a needle’s point?
For powerful victories on the tip of a needle?
Instead of forging chains for foreigners,
Instead of making chains for strangers,
Bastile thy tutor: grandeur all thy aim? 1060
Bastille, is your goal only to achieve greatness?1060
As yet thou know’st not what it is: how great,
As of now, you don’t know what it is: how great,
How glorious, then, appears the mind of man,
How glorious, then, does the mind of man appear,
When in it all the stars, and planets, roll!
When everything is in it, all the stars and planets move!
And what it seems, it is: great objects make
And what it looks like is what it is: large objects make
Great minds, enlarging as their views enlarge; 1065
Great minds expand as their perspectives broaden;1065
Those still more godlike, as these more divine.
Those who are even more godlike, like these who are more divine.
And more divine than these, thou canst not see.
And there's nothing more divine than this that you can see.
Dazzled, o’erpower’d, with the delicious draught
Dazzled, overwhelmed, by the delightful drink
Of miscellaneous splendours, how I reel
Of various wonders, how I spin
From thought to thought, inebriate, without end!
From thought to thought, drunk on ideas, endlessly!
An Eden, this! a Paradise unlost!
What a paradise this is! A lost paradise restored!
I meet the Deity in every view, 1072
I encounter the Divine in every sight,1072
And tremble at my nakedness before him!
And shake at my vulnerability in front of him!
O that I could but reach the tree of life!
O that I could just reach the tree of life!
For here it grows, unguarded from our taste;
For here it grows, unprotected from our enjoyment;
No flaming sword denies our entrance here;
No flaming sword prevents us from entering here;
Would man but gather, he might live for ever.
If only man would come together, he could live forever.
Lorenzo! much of moral hast thou seen.
Lorenzo! You've seen a lot of morality.
Of curious arts art thou more fond? Then mark
Of curious arts are you more fond? Then notice
The mathematic glories of the skies, 1080
The mathematical wonders of the skies,1080p
In number, weight, and measure, all ordain’d.
In terms of number, weight, and measurement, everything is arranged.
Lorenzo’s boasted builders, Chance, and Fate,
Lorenzo’s bragged-about builders, Chance and Fate,
Are left to finish his aërial towers;
Are left to finish his aerial towers;
Wisdom and choice, their well-known characters
Wisdom and choice, their familiar traits
Here deep impress; and claim it for their own.
Here, make a deep impression and claim it as their own.
Though splendid all, no splendour void of use;
Though they’re all magnificent, no magnificence is without purpose;
Use rivals beauty; art contends with power;
Use beauty to outshine rivals; art competes with power;
No wanton waste, amid effuse expense;
No wasteful extravagance in the midst of lavish spending;
The great Economist adjusting all
The great economist adjusting everything
To prudent pomp, magnificently wise. 1090
To wise and sensible pomp.
How rich the prospect! and for ever new!
How exciting the view is! And it's always fresh!
And newest to the man that views it most;
And newest to the person who sees it the most;
For newer still in infinite succeeds.
For newer things still succeed infinitely.
Then, these aërial racers, O how swift!
Then, these aerial racers, oh how fast!
How the shaft loiters from the strongest string!
How the arrow hangs back from the strongest bowstring!
Spirit alone can distance the career.
Spirit alone can advance the career.
Orb above orb ascending without end!
Spheres rising endlessly!
Circle in circle, without end, enclosed!
Circle within a circle, endlessly contained!
Wheel, within wheel; Ezekiel! like to thine! 1099
Wheel, within wheel; Ezekiel! just like yours!1099
Like thine, it seems a vision or a dream;
Like yours, it feels like a vision or a dream;
Though seen, we labour to believe it true!
Though we can see it, we struggle to believe it's real!
What involution! what extent! what swarms
What a twist! What a scope! What a swarm!
Of worlds, that laugh at earth! immensely great!
Of worlds that laugh at Earth! Incredibly vast!
Immensely distant from each other’s spheres!
Immensely far from each other’s worlds!
What, then, the wondrous space through which they roll?
What, then, is the amazing space through which they move?
At once it quite engulfs all human thought;
At once, it completely absorbs all human thought;
’Tis comprehension’s absolute defeat.
It's comprehension's absolute defeat.
Nor think thou seest a wild disorder here;
Nor think you see a wild mess here;
Through this illustrious chaos to the sight,
Through this remarkable chaos to the eye,
Arrangement neat, and chastest order, reign. 1110
Arrangement neat, and the purest order, reign.1110
The path prescribed, inviolably kept,
The set path, firmly followed,
Upbraids the lawless sallies of mankind.
Upbraids the reckless actions of humanity.
Worlds, ever thwarting, never interfere;
Worlds, always obstructing, never interfere;
What knots are tied! how soon are they dissolved,
What knots are tied! How quickly are they undone,
And set the seeming married planets free!
And set those seemingly married planets free!
They rove for ever, without error rove;
They wander endlessly, roaming without mistake;
Confusion unconfused! nor less admire
Confusion cleared! Still admire.
This tumult untumultuous; all on wing!
This chaos is anything but calm; everything is in motion!
In motion, all! yet what profound repose!
In motion, everyone! Yet what deep calm!
What fervid action, yet no noise! as awed 1120
What intense action, yet silent! as awed
To silence, by the presence of their Lord;
To quiet down, in the presence of their Lord;
Or hush’d by His command, in love to man,
Or silenced by His command, out of love for humanity,
And bid let fall soft beams on human rest,
And let soft beams fall on human rest,
Restless themselves. On yon cerulean plain,
Restless themselves. On that blue expanse,
In exultation to their God, and thine,
In joyful praise to their God, and yours,
They dance, they sing eternal jubilee,
They dance, they sing an everlasting celebration,
Eternal celebration of His praise.
Forever celebrating His praise.
But, since their song arrives not at our ear,
But since their song doesn't reach our ears,
Their dance perplex’d exhibits to the sight
Their dance confusedly displayed before our eyes
Fair hieroglyphic of His peerless power. 1130
Fair hieroglyphic of His unmatched power.1130
Mark how the labyrinthian turns they take,
Mark how the twisting turns they take,
The circles intricate, and mystic maze,
The circles are intricate and a mysterious maze,
Weave the grand cipher of Omnipotence; 1133
Weave the great code of All-Powerful;1133
To gods, how great! how legible to man!
To the gods, how amazing! How clear to humans!
Leaves so much wonder greater wonder still?
Leaves so much wonder, even greater wonder?
Where are the pillars that support the skies?
Where are the pillars that hold up the skies?
What more than Atlantean shoulder props
What more than Atlantean shoulder supports
Th’ incumbent load? What magic, what strange art,
Th' incumbent load? What magic, what strange skill,
In fluid air these ponderous orbs sustains?
In flowing air, do these heavy spheres remain?
Who would not think them hung in golden chains?— 1140
Who wouldn’t think they were hanging in golden chains?—1140
And so they are; in the high will of heaven,
And that’s how it is; in the supreme will of heaven,
Which fixes all; makes adamant of air,
Which fixes everything; turns air into stone,
Or air of adamant; makes all of nought,
Or air of hard resolve; makes everything meaningless,
Or nought of all; if such the dread decree.
Or nothing at all; if that's the terrible decision.
Imagine from their deep foundations torn
Imagine being torn from their deep foundations.
The most gigantic sons of earth, the broad
The most enormous children of the earth, the wide
And towering Alps, all toss’d into the sea;
And towering Alps, all thrown into the sea;
And, light as down, or volatile as air,
And, light as down, or as fleeting as air,
Their bulks enormous, dancing on the waves,
Their huge bodies swayed on the waves,
In time, and measure, exquisite; while all 1150
In time, and measure, exquisite; while all1150
The winds, in emulation of the spheres,
The winds, trying to imitate the spheres,
Tune their sonorous instruments aloft;
Lift their musical instruments high;
The concert swell, and animate the ball.
The concert picks up, energizing the party.
Would this appear amazing? What, then, worlds,
Would this seem incredible? What, then, worlds,
In a far thinner element sustain’d,
In a much thinner element held,
And acting the same part, with greater skill,
And playing the same role, but with more talent,
More rapid movement, and for noblest ends?
More quick action, and for the best purposes?
More obvious ends to pass, are not these stars
More obvious goals to achieve, aren’t these stars?
The seats majestic, proud imperial thrones,
The seats were grand, like proud royal thrones,
On which angelic delegates of heaven, 1160
On which angelic delegates of heaven,1160
At certain periods, as the Sovereign nods,
At certain times, when the Sovereign gives a nod,
Discharge high trusts of vengeance, or of love;
Discharge intense feelings of revenge or love;
To clothe, in outward grandeur, grand design,
To dress in impressive style, with a grand plan,
And acts most solemn still more solemnize?
And do actions that are serious make things even more serious?
Ye citizens of air! what ardent thanks,
Ye citizens of air! what ardent thanks,
What full effusion of the grateful heart,
What a complete outpouring of the grateful heart,
Is due from man indulged in such a sight! 1167
Is any man entitled to indulge in such a sight!1167
A sight so noble! and a sight so kind!
A view so impressive! and a view so gentle!
It drops new truths at every new survey!
It reveals new truths with every new survey!
Feels not Lorenzo something stir within,
Lorenzo feels something stir inside.
That sweeps away all period? As these spheres
That takes away all time? As these realms
Measure duration, they no less inspire
Measure time, they still inspire
The godlike hope of ages without end.
The incredible hope of endless ages.
The boundless space, through which these rovers take
The limitless space that these rovers traverse
Their restless roam, suggests the sister thought
Their restless wandering suggests what the sister thought.
Of boundless time. Thus, by kind Nature’s skill,
Of endless time. So, through the nurturing hand of Nature,
To man unlabour’d, that important guest,
To the man who doesn't work hard, that important guest,
Eternity, finds entrance at the sight:
Eternity arrives with the sight:
And an eternity, for man ordain’d,
And an eternity, as meant for humanity,
Or these his destined midnight counsellors, 1180
Or these were his destined midnight advisors,1180
The stars, had never whisper’d it to man.
The stars had never whispered it to anyone.
Nature informs, but ne’er insults, her sons.
Nature teaches, but never disrespects her children.
Could she then kindle the most ardent wish
Could she then spark the strongest desire
To disappoint it?—That is blasphemy.
To disappoint it?—That's blasphemy.
Thus, of thy creed a second article,
Thus, your belief has a second principle,
Momentous, as th’ existence of a God,
Momentous, as the existence of a God,
Is found (as I conceive) where rarely sought;
Is found (as I see it) where it's rarely looked for;
And thou may’st read thy soul immortal, here.
And you can read your eternal soul here.
Here, then, Lorenzo! on these glories dwell;
Here, then, Lorenzo! Focus on these glories;
Nor want the gilt, illuminated, roof, 1190
Nor need the gold-leaf, illuminated roof,1190
That calls the wretched gay to dark delights.
That invites the miserable gay to indulge in dark pleasures.
Assemblies?—This is one divinely bright;
Assemblies?—This is one incredibly bright;
Here, unendanger’d in health, wealth, or fame,
Here, safe in health, wealth, or reputation,
Range through the fairest, and the Sultan scorn;
Range through the fairest, and the Sultan ignores;
He, wise as thou, no crescent holds so fair,
He, as wise as you, holds no crescent as beautiful,
As that, which on his turban awes a world;
As that, which on his turban amazes the world;
And thinks the moon is proud to copy him.
And thinks the moon is proud to mimic him.
Look on her, and gain more than worlds can give,
Look at her, and you’ll gain more than the world can offer,
A mind superior to the charms of power.
A mind that rises above the allure of power.
Thou muffled in delusions of this life! 1200
You are wrapped up in the illusions of this life!1200
Can yonder moon turn ocean in his bed, 1201
Can that moon turn the ocean in its bed,1201
From side to side, in constant ebb, and flow,
From side to side, moving in a continuous ebb and flow,
And purify from stench his watery realms?
And clean up the smell in his watery domains?
And fails her moral influence? wants she power
And does she fail to have moral influence? Does she want power?
To turn Lorenzo’s stubborn tide of thought
To change Lorenzo’s stubborn way of thinking
From stagnating on earth’s infected shore,
From being stuck on the polluted shore,
And purge from nuisance his corrupted heart?
And cleanse his troubled heart of all its corruption?
Fails her attraction when it draws to heaven?
Fails her attraction when it pulls her to heaven?
Nay, and to what thou valuest more, earth’s joy?
No, and what do you value more, the joy of the earth?
Minds elevate, and panting for unseen, 1210
Minds rise, eager for the unknown,1210
Full relish of existence undeflower’d,
Full enjoyment of untarnished life,
The life of life, the zest of worldly bliss:
The essence of life, the joy of earthly happiness:
All else on earth amounts—to what? to this:
All else on earth adds up—to what? to this:
“Bad to be suffer’d; blessings to be left:”
“Bad things to endure; blessings to keep:”
Earth’s richest inventory boasts no more.
Earth's richest resources are no more.
Of higher scenes be, then, the call obey’d.
Of higher things, then, obey the call.
O let me gaze!—Of gazing there’s no end.
O let me look!—There’s no limit to looking.
O let me think!—Thought too is wilder’d here;
O let me think!—My thoughts are all over the place here;
In midway flight imagination tires; 1220
In mid-flight, imagination wanes;
Yet soon reprunes her wing to soar anew,
Yet soon she sharpens her wings to soar again,
Her point unable to forbear, or gain;
Her point unable to endure or gain;
So great the pleasure, so profound the plan!
So immense the joy, so deep the scheme!
A banquet, this, where men, and angels, meet,
A banquet where men and angels gather,
Eat the same manna, mingle earth and heaven.
Eat the same bread, blend earth and sky.
How distant some of these nocturnal suns!
How far away some of these nighttime stars are!
So distant (says the sage), ’twere not absurd
So far away (says the wise one), it wouldn't be ridiculous
To doubt, if beams, set out at Nature’s birth,
To question, if rays, created at Nature’s beginning,
Are yet arrived at this so foreign world;
Are you yet to arrive in this strange new world?
Though nothing half so rapid as their flight. 1230
Though nothing so quick as their flight.1230
An eye of awe and wonder let me roll,
An eye of awe and wonder let me roll,
And roll for ever: who can satiate sight
And roll forever: who can satisfy sight?
In such a scene? in such an ocean wide
In a scene like this? in such a vast ocean
Of deep astonishment? where depth, height, breadth,
Of deep astonishment? where depth, height, breadth,
Are lost in their extremes; and where to count 1235
Are lost in their extremes; and where to count1235
The thick-sown glories in this field of fire,
The densely planted beauties in this field of flames,
Perhaps a seraph’s computation fails.
Maybe a seraph's calculation is off.
Now, go, Ambition! boast thy boundless might
Now, go, Ambition! Show off your endless power!
In conquest, o’er the tenth part of a grain.
In conquest, over a tenth of a grain.
And yet Lorenzo calls for miracles,
And yet Lorenzo asks for miracles,
To give his tottering faith a solid base.
To give his shaky faith a strong foundation.
Why call for less than is already thine? 1242
Why ask for less than what you already have?1242
Thou art no novice in theology;
You are no beginner in theology;
What is a miracle?—’Tis a reproach,
What is a miracle?—It’s an insult,
’Tis an implicit satire, on mankind;
It’s an unspoken satire on humanity;
And while it satisfies, it censures too.
And while it fulfills, it criticizes too.
To common sense, great Nature’s course proclaims
To common sense, the course of nature clearly shows
A Deity: when mankind falls asleep,
A Deity: when humanity falls asleep,
A miracle is sent, as an alarm;
A miracle is sent as a warning;
To wake the world, and prove Him o’er again, 1250
To wake the world and prove Him once more, 1250
By recent argument, but not more strong.
By a recent argument, but not stronger.
Say, which imports more plenitude of power,
Say, which brings in more abundance of power,
Or nature’s laws to fix, or to repeal?
Or should we establish nature’s laws, or do away with them?
To make a sun, or stop his mid career?
To create a sun, or to halt its journey?
To countermand his orders, and send back
To cancel his orders and send back
The flaming courier to the frighted east,
The fiery messenger to the terrified east,
Warm’d, and astonish’d, at his evening ray?
Warm and amazed by his evening light?
Or bid the moon, as with her journey tired,
Or ask the moon, as she tires from her journey,
Great things are these; still greater, to create. 1260
Great things are these; even greater is the act of creation.1260
From Adam’s bower look down through the whole train
From Adam’s garden, look down through the entire procession
Of miracles;—resistless is their power?
Of miracles;—their power is unstoppable?
They do not, can not, more amaze the mind,
They do not, cannot, amaze the mind anymore,
Than this, call’d unmiraculous survey,
Than this, called non-miraculous survey,
If duly weigh’d, if rationally seen,
If carefully considered, if looked at logically,
If seen with human eyes. The brute, indeed,
If seen with human eyes, the brute, indeed,
Sees nought but spangles here; the fool, no more.
Sees nothing but glitter here; the fool, nothing more.
Say’st thou, “The course of nature governs all?”
Do you say, “Nature controls everything?”
The course of Nature is the art of God. 1269
The way nature works is the art of God.1269
The miracles thou call’st for, this attest;
The miracles you ask for, this proves;
For say, could Nature Nature’s course control?
For example, could Nature control its own course?
But, miracles apart, who sees Him not,
But, aside from miracles, who doesn't see Him,
Nature’s controller, author, guide, and end?
Nature’s controller, creator, guide, and purpose?
Who turns his eye on Nature’s midnight face,
Who looks at Nature’s midnight face,
But must inquire—“What hand behind the scene,
But we must ask—“What force is at work behind the scenes,
What arm almighty, put these wheeling globes
What a powerful force, put these spinning planets
In motion, and wound up the vast machine?
In action, and wound up the huge machine?
Who rounded in his palm these spacious orbs?
Who shaped these spacious orbs in his hand?
Who bowl’d them flaming through the dark profound,
Who sent them blazing through the deep darkness,
Numerous as glittering gems of morning dew, 1280
Numerous like sparkling gems of morning dew,1280
Or sparks from populous cities in a blaze,
Or sparks from crowded cities in a fire,
And set the bosom of old Night on fire?
And set the heart of old Night on fire?
Peopled her desert, and made horror smile?”
Peopled her desert and made horror smile?
Or, if the military style delights thee
Or, if the military style delights you
(For stars have fought their battles, leagued with man),
(For stars have fought their battles, teamed up with man),
“Who marshals this bright host? enrols their names?
“Who organizes this bright group? Signs them up?”
Appoints their posts, their marches, and returns,
Appoints their positions, their marches, and returns,
Punctual, at stated periods? who disbands
Punctual, at set times? Who breaks up
These veteran troops, their final duty done,
These veteran soldiers, having completed their last mission,
If e’er disbanded?”—He, whose potent word, 1290
If ever disbanded?”—He, whose powerful word,1290
Like the loud trumpet, levied first their powers
Like a loud trumpet, they brought forth their powers first.
In Night’s inglorious empire, where they slept
In Night’s failed empire, where they slept
In beds of darkness: arm’d them with fierce flames,
In dark beds: armed them with fierce flames,
Arranged, and disciplined, and clothed in gold;
Arranged, organized, and dressed in gold;
And call’d them out of chaos to the field,
And called them out of chaos to the battlefield,
Where now they war with vice and unbelief.
Where they are now fighting against wrongdoing and disbelief.
O let us join this army! joining these,
O let us join this army! Joining these,
Will give us hearts intrepid, at that hour,
Will give us fearless hearts, at that moment,
When brighter flames shall cut a darker night;
When brighter flames light up a darker night;
When these strong demonstrations of a God 1300
When these powerful displays of God
Shall hide their heads, or tumble from their spheres,
Shall hide their heads or fall from their orbits,
And one eternal curtain cover all!
And one endless curtain covers everything!
Struck at that thought, as new awaked, I lift 1303
Struck by that thought, as if awakening anew, I lift1303
A more enlighten’d eye, and read the stars
A more enlightened eye, and read the stars
To man still more propitious; and their aid
To make it even more favorable for man; and their help
(Though guiltless of idolatry) implore;
(Though guiltless of idolatry) beg;
Nor longer rob them of their noblest name.
No longer take away their most honorable name.
O ye dividers of my time! ye bright
O you who break up my time! you bright
Accountants of my days, and months, and years,
Accountants of my days, and months, and years,
In your fair calendar distinctly mark’d! 1310
In your clear calendar clearly marked!1310
Since that authentic, radiant register,
Since that genuine, bright record,
Though man inspects it not, stands good against him;
Though man doesn’t pay attention to it, it still stands strong against him;
Since you, and years, roll on, though man stands still;
Since you and time keep moving on, even though people remain the same;
Teach me my days to number, and apply
Teach me to count my days and make them purposeful.
My trembling heart to wisdom; now beyond
My shaking heart to knowledge; now beyond
All shadow of excuse for fooling on.
All excuse for goofing off.
Age smooths our path to prudence; sweeps aside
Age smooths our path to wisdom; clears away
The snares keen appetite and passion spread
The traps of sharp desire and eagerness spread
To catch stray souls; and woe to that grey head,
To catch lost souls; and shame on that gray head,
Whose folly would undo, what age has done! 1320
Whose foolishness would reverse what time has accomplished!1320
Aid then, aid, all ye stars!—Much rather, Thou,
Aid then, help us, all you stars!—Much more so, You,
Great Artist! Thou, whose finger set aright
Great Artist! You, whose finger set things right
This exquisite machine, with all its wheels,
This amazing machine, with all its wheels,
Though intervolved, exact; and pointing out
Though intertwined, precise, and indicating
Life’s rapid, and irrevocable flight,
Life’s fast and irreversible flight,
With such an index fair, as none can miss,
With such a fair index, no one can overlook,
Who lifts an eye, nor sleeps till it is closed.
Whoever raises their eyes won't sleep until they are shut.
Open mine eye, dread Deity! to read
Open my eye, terrifying God! to read
The tacit doctrine of thy works; to see
The unspoken principle of your actions; to see
Things as they are, unalter’d through the glass 1330
Things as they are, unchanged through the glass1330
Of worldly wishes. Time, eternity!
Of worldly desires. Time, eternity!
(’Tis these, mismeasured, ruin all mankind)
('Tis these, mismeasured, ruin all mankind)
Set them before me; let me lay them both
Set them in front of me; I want to deal with both of them.
In equal scale, and learn their various weight.
In equal measure, and understand their different weights.
Let time appear a moment, as it is;
Let time show itself for a moment, just as it is;
And let eternity’s full orb, at once,
And let eternity's full circle, all at once,
Turn on my soul, and strike it into heaven. 1337
Turn on my soul, and send it to heaven.leet
When shall I see far more than charms me now?
When will I see so much more that captivates me now?
Gaze on creation’s model in thy breast
Gaze at the model of creation within your heart.
Unveil’d, nor wonder at the transcript more?
Unveiled, so don’t be surprised by the record anymore?
When this vile, foreign, dust, which smothers all
When this disgusting, foreign dust, which suffocates everything
That travel earth’s deep vale, shall I shake off?
That journey through the earth's deep valley, should I let go?
When shall my soul her incarnation quit,
When will my soul leave its physical body,
And, readopted to thy bless’d embrace,
And, welcomed back into your blessed embrace,
Obtain her apotheosis in Thee?
Achieve her greatness in You?
Dost think, Lorenzo, this is wandering wide?
Do you think, Lorenzo, this is getting off track?
No,’tis directly striking at the mark;
No, it’s hitting the target directly;
To wake thy dead devotion was my point;
To revive your dead devotion was my goal;
And how I bless Night’s consecrating shades,
And how I appreciate the sacred darkness of night,
Which to a temple turn an universe; 1350
Which turns the entire universe into a temple;
Fill us with great ideas, full of heaven,
Fill us with amazing ideas, full of inspiration,
And antidote the pestilential earth!
And cure the toxic earth!
In every storm, that either frowns, or falls,
In every storm, whether it scowls or pours,
What an asylum has the soul in prayer!
What a refuge the soul finds in prayer!
And what a God must dwell in such a fane!
And what kind of God must live in such a temple!
Oh, what a genius must inform the skies!
Oh, what a genius must tell the skies!
And is Lorenzo’s salamander heart
And is Lorenzo’s salamander heart
Cold, and untouch’d, amid these sacred fires?
Cold and untouched, among these sacred flames?
O ye nocturnal sparks! ye glowing embers, 1360
O you nighttime sparks! you glowing embers,1360
On heaven’s broad hearth! who burn, or burn no more,
On heaven's wide hearth! you who burn, or no longer burn,
Who blaze, or die, as Great Jehovah’s breath
Who blaze, or die, as God's breath
Or blows you, or forbears; assist my song;
Or strikes you, or holds back; help me with my song;
Pour your whole influence; exorcise his heart,
Pour all your influence into it; drive out his heart,
So long possess’d; and bring him back to man.
So long possessed; and bring him back to humanity.
And is Lorenzo a demurrer still?
And is Lorenzo still holding back?
Pride in thy parts provokes thee to contest
Pride in your abilities drives you to compete.
Truths, which, contested, put thy parts to shame.
Truths that, when challenged, expose your shortcomings.
Nor shame they more Lorenzo’s head than heart,
Nor do they feel more shame for Lorenzo’s head than for his heart,
A faithless heart, how despicably small! 1370
A faithless heart, how incredibly small!1370
Too strait, aught great or generous to receive! 1371
Too narrow, anything great or generous to accept!1371
Fill’d with an atom! fill’d, and foul’d, with self!
Fill'd with a tiny part! Filled, and dirty, with myself!
And self mistaken! self, that lasts an hour!
And self-deceived! Self, that lasts an hour!
Instincts and passions, of the nobler kind,
Instincts and passions, of the higher sort,
Lie suffocated there; or they alone,
Lie suffocated there; or they alone,
Reason apart, would wake high hope; and open,
Reason apart, would wake high hope; and open,
To ravish’d thought, that intellectual sphere,
To an overwhelmed mind, that realm of intellect,
Where order, wisdom, goodness, providence,
Where order, wisdom, goodness, and guidance,
Their endless miracles of love display,
Their endless display of love miracles,
And promise all the truly great desire. 1380
And promise all the real greatness you desire.1380
The mind that would be happy, must be great;
The mind that wants to be happy must be vast;
Great, in its wishes; great, in its surveys.
Great in its wishes; great in its assessments.
Extended views a narrow mind extend;
Extended views a narrow mind extend;
Push out its corrugate, expansive make,
Push out its corrugated, expansive shape,
Which, ere long, more than planets shall embrace.
Which, before long, will encompass more than just planets.
A man of compass makes a man of worth;
A principled man is a valuable man;
Divine contemplate, and become divine.
Think divine, and be divine.
As man was made for glory, and for bliss,
As people were created for greatness and happiness,
All littleness is in approach to woe;
All smallness is close to misery;
Open thy bosom, set thy wishes wide, 1390
Open your heart, express your desires openly,1390
And let in manhood; let in happiness;
Welcome to manhood; welcome happiness;
Admit the boundless theatre of thought
Admit the limitless stage of ideas
From nothing, up to God; which makes a man.
From nothing, to God; which defines a person.
Take God from nature, nothing great is left;
Take God away from nature, and nothing great remains;
Man’s mind is in a pit, and nothing sees;
Man's mind is in a dark place, and nothing notices;
Man’s heart is in a jakes[69], and loves the mire.
Man's heart is in a pit, and loves the mess.
Emerge from thy profound; erect thine eye;
Emerge from your depth; lift your gaze;
See thy distress! how close art thou besieged!
See your distress! How close are you besieged!
Besieged by Nature, the proud sceptic’s foe!
Besieged by Nature, the proud skeptic’s enemy!
Enclosed by these innumerable worlds, 1400
Surrounded by countless worlds, 1400
Sparkling conviction on the darkest mind,
Sparkling belief in the darkest mind,
As in a golden net of Providence.
As if caught in a golden web of fate.
How art thou caught, sure captive of belief!
How are you caught, surely a captive of belief!
From this thy bless’d captivity, what art,
From this blessed captivity of yours, what art,
What blasphemy to reason, sets thee free! 1405
What blasphemy to reason, sets you free!1405
This scene is heaven’s indulgent violence:
This scene is the excessive violence of heaven:
Canst thou bear up against this tide of glory?
Can you handle this wave of glory?
What is earth bosom’d in these ambient orbs,
What is the earth surrounded by these vast skies,
But, faith in God imposed, and press’d on man?
But, does faith in God weigh heavily on people?
Darest thou still litigate thy desperate cause,
Dare you still pursue your hopeless case,
Spite of these numerous, awful, witnesses,
Spite of these many, terrible witnesses,
And doubt the deposition of the skies? 1412
And question the position of the skies?1412
O how laborious is thy way to ruin!
Oh, how difficult is your path to destruction!
Laborious! ’tis impracticable quite;
It's too difficult!
To sink beyond a doubt, in this debate,
To fall beyond any doubt, in this discussion,
With all his weight of wisdom and of will,
With all his wisdom and determination,
And crime flagitious, I defy a fool.
And I challenge any fool about the outrageous crime.
Some wish they did; but no man disbelieves.
Some wish they could; but no one truly disbelieves.
God is a spirit; spirit cannot strike
God is a spirit; a spirit cannot strike.
These gross, material organs; God by man 1420
These disgusting, physical organs; God by man1420
As much is seen, as man a God can see,
As much as can be seen, as much as a God can see,
In these astonishing exploits of power.
In these amazing displays of power.
What order, beauty, motion, distance, size!
What order, beauty, movement, distance, size!
Concertion of design, how exquisite!
Design collaboration, how exquisite!
How complicate, in their divine police!
How complicated, in their divine police!
Apt means! great ends! consent to general good!—
Apt means! great goals! agreement for the common good!—
Each attribute of these material gods,
Each attribute of these material gods,
So long (and that with specious pleas) adored,
So long (and that with false reasons) loved,
A separate conquest gains o’er rebel thought;
A different victory over rebellious thoughts;
And leads in triumph the whole mind of man. 1430
And triumphs over the entire mind of man.1430
Lorenzo! this may seem harangue to thee;
Lorenzo! This might sound like a lecture to you;
Such all is apt to seem, that thwarts our will.
Such things often seem to get in the way of what we want.
And dost thou, then, demand a simple proof
And do you, then, ask for a simple proof
Of this great master moral of the skies,
Of this great master moral of the skies,
Unskill’d, or disinclined, to read it there?
Unskilled or unwilling to read it there?
Since ’tis the basis, and all drops without it,
Since it’s the foundation, and everything falls apart without it,
Take it, in one compact, unbroken chain.
Take it all in one continuous, unbroken flow.
Such proof insists on an attentive ear;
Such proof needs attentive listening;
’Twill not make one amid a mob of thoughts, 1439
’Twill not make one amid a crowd of thoughts,1439
And, for thy notice, struggle with the world.
And, for your attention, fight against the world.
Retire;—the world shut out;—thy thoughts call home;—
Retreat;—the world blocked out;—your thoughts come back home;—
Imagination’s airy wing repress;—
Imagination’s light wing hold back;—
Lock up thy senses;—let no passion stir;—
Lock up your senses;—don’t let any passion stir;—
Wake all to Reason;—let her reign alone;—
Wake everyone to reason;—let her rule on her own;—
Then, in thy soul’s deep silence, and the depth
Then, in the deep silence of your soul, and the depth
Of Nature’s silence, midnight, thus inquire,
Of Nature's quiet, midnight, ask this:
As I have done; and shall inquire no more.
As I have already done; and I won't ask again.
In nature’s channel, thus the questions run:
In nature's flow, that's how the questions go:
“What am I? and from whence?—I nothing know,
“What am I? And where did I come from? I know nothing,
But that I am; and, since I am, conclude 1450
But that’s who I am; and, since I am, conclude1450
Something eternal: had there e’er been nought,
Something eternal: had there ever been nothing,
Nought still had been: eternal there must be.—
Nought still existed: there must be eternity.
But what eternal?—Why not human race?
But what’s eternal?—Why not the human race?
And Adam’s ancestors without an end?—
And Adam's ancestors endlessly?—
That’s hard to be conceived; since every link
That’s hard to understand; since every link
Of that long-chain’d succession is so frail;
Of that long chain of succession is so fragile;
Can every part depend, and not the whole?
Can each part depend on something, but not the whole?
Yet grant it true; new difficulties rise;
Yet it’s true; new challenges come up;
I’m still quite out at sea; nor see the shore.
I’m still pretty lost at sea and can’t see the shore.
Whence earth, and these bright orbs?—eternal too?
Whence comes the earth and these bright stars? Are they eternal as well?
Grant matter was eternal; still these orbs 1461
Grant matter was eternal; still these orbs1461
Would want some other father;—much design
Would want some other father;—much design
Is seen in all their motions, all their makes;
Is seen in all their movements, all their forms;
Design implies intelligence, and art;
Design suggests intelligence and art;
That can’t be from themselves—or man; that art
That can't come from themselves—or from man; that art.
Man scarce can comprehend, could man bestow?
Man can hardly understand; what could man give?
And nothing greater yet allow’d than man.—
And nothing greater has ever been allowed than man.
Who, motion, foreign to the smallest grain,
Who, motion, foreign to the smallest grain,
Shot through vast masses of enormous weight?
Shot through vast masses of enormous weight?
Who bid brute matter’s restive lump assume 1470
Who challenged the restless mass of raw material1470
Such various forms, and gave it wings to fly?
Such different forms, and gave it wings to soar?
Has matter innate motion? then each atom,
Has matter an inherent motion? Then each atom,
Asserting its indisputable right 1473
Claiming its undeniable right
To dance, would form an universe of dust:
To dance would create a universe of dust:
Has matter none? Then whence these glorious forms
Has matter none? Then where do these glorious forms come from?
And boundless flights, from shapeless, and reposed?
And endless journeys, from formless and still?
Has matter more than motion? Has it thought,
Has matter more than motion? Does it have thought,
Judgment, and genius? Is it deeply learn’d
Judgment and genius? Is it well understood?
In mathematics? Has it framed such laws,
In math? Has it established such rules,
Which but to guess, a Newton made immortal?— 1480
Which just makes you wonder, did a Newton become immortal?—1480
If so, how each sage atom laughs at me,
If that’s the case, how every wise person laughs at me,
Who think a clod inferior to a man!
Who thinks a lump of dirt is inferior to a person!
If art, to form; and counsel, to conduct;
If art is for shaping things, then advice is for guiding actions;
And that with greater far than human skill;
And that with much greater skill than what humans possess;
Resides not in each block;—a Godhead reigns.—
Resides not in each block;—a God rules.—
Grant, then, invisible, eternal, Mind;
Grant, then, unseen, eternal, Mind;
That granted, all is solved.—But, granting that,
That settled, everything is resolved.—But, assuming that,
Draw I not o’er me a still darker cloud?
Draw I not over me a still darker cloud?
Grant I not that which I can ne’er conceive?
Grant me not that which I can never understand?
A being without origin, or end!— 1490
A being with no beginning or end!—1490
Hail, human liberty! There is no God—
Hail, human freedom! There is no God—
Yet, why? On either scheme that knot subsists;
Yet, why? On either plan that knot exists;
Subsist it must, in God, or human race;
Subsist it must, in God, or the human race;
If in the last, how many knots beside,
If in the end, how many knots beside,
Indissoluble all?—Why choose it there,
Indissoluble all?—Why pick it there,
Where, chosen, still subsist ten thousand more?
Where, chosen, do ten thousand more still exist?
Reject it, where, that chosen, all the rest
Reject it, where, that chosen, all the rest
Dispersed, leave reason’s whole horizon clear?
Dispersed, does that make reason's entire horizon clear?
This is not reason’s dictate; Reason says,
This isn't what reason dictates; Reason says,
Close with the side where one grain turns the scale;— 1500
Close with the side where one grain tips the scale;—1500
What vast preponderance is here! can reason
What a huge advantage is here! Can reason
With louder voice exclaim—Believe a God?
With a louder voice, I exclaim—Do you believe in God?
And reason heard, is the sole mark of man.
And reason, when heard, is the only mark of being human.
What things impossible must man think true,
What impossible things must a person believe to be true,
On any other system! and how strange
On any other system! And how weird!
To disbelieve, through mere credulity!”
To disbelieve out of naivety!
If, in this chain, Lorenzo finds no flaw, 1507
If Lorenzo finds no flaw in this chain,
Let it for ever bind him to belief.
Let it always keep him committed to his faith.
And where the link, in which a flaw he finds?
And where is the connection where he finds a flaw?
And, if a God there is, that God how great!
And if there is a God, how great that God is!
How great that Power, whose providential care
How amazing that Power, whose careful guidance
Through these bright orbs’ dark centres darts a ray!
Through the dark centers of these bright orbs, a ray shoots!
Of nature universal threads the whole!
Of nature, universal threads connect everything!
And hangs creation, like a precious gem,
And hangs creation like a precious gem,
Though little, on the footstool of his throne!
Though small, on the footstool of his throne!
That little gem, how large! A weight let fall
That little gem, how big! A weight dropped
From a fix’d star, in ages can it reach
From a fixed star, it can reach over ages
This distant earth! Say, then, Lorenzo! where,
This distant earth! So tell me, Lorenzo! Where,
Where, ends this mighty building? where, begin
Where does this mighty building end? Where does it begin?
The suburbs of creation? where, the wall 1520
The suburbs of creation? where, the wall1520
Whose battlements look o’er into the vale
Whose walls look down into the valley
Of non-existence! Nothing’s strange abode!
Of non-existence! Nothing's weird home!
Say, at what point of space Jehovah dropp’d
Say, at what point in space did Jehovah drop
His slacken’d line, and laid his balance by;
His loosened line, and set his weight aside;
Weigh’d worlds, and measured infinite, no more?
Weighed worlds and measured the infinite, is that all?
Where, rears His terminating pillar high
Where His final pillar rises high
Its extra-mundane head? and says, to gods,
Its otherworldly head? and says, to gods,
In characters illustrious as the sun,—
In characters bright as the sun,—
“I stand, the plan’s proud period; I pronounce
“I stand, the plan’s proud period; I pronounce
The work accomplish’d; the creation closed: 1530
The work is done; the creation is complete:1530
Shout, all ye gods! nor shout ye gods alone;
Shout, all you gods! And don’t just the gods shout;
Of all that lives, or, if devoid of life,
Of everything that lives, or, if lifeless,
That rests, or rolls, ye heights, and depths, resound!
That rests, or rolls, you heights and depths, resound!
Resound! resound! ye depths, and heights, resound!”
Resound! Resound! you depths and heights, resound!
Hard are those questions!—answer harder still.
Hard are those questions!—answers are even harder.
Is this the sole exploit, the single birth,
Is this the only achievement, the one birth,
The solitary son of power divine?
The only son of divine power?
Or has th’ Almighty Father, with a breath,
Or has the Almighty Father, with a breath,
Impregnated the womb of distant space? 1539
Impregnated the womb of distant space?1539
Has He not bid, in various provinces,
Has He not commanded, in different regions,
Brother-creations the dark bowels burst
Brother creations the dark depths burst
Of night primeval; barren, now, no more?
Of the ancient night; barren, now, is it no longer?
And He the central sun, transpiercing all
And He is the central sun, piercing through everything.
Those giant generations, which disport
Those huge generations, which entertain
And dance, as motes, in his meridian ray;
And dance, like dust particles, in his midday light;
That ray withdrawn, benighted, or absorb’d,
That ray withdrawn, lost in darkness, or absorbed,
In that abyss of horror, whence they sprung;
In that terrifying void from which they emerged;
While Chaos triumphs, repossess’d of all
While Chaos wins, taking everything back
Rival Creation ravish’d from his throne?
Rival Creation taken from his throne?
Chaos! of Nature both the womb, and grave! 1550
Chaos! of Nature both the womb, and grave!1550
Think’st thou my scheme, Lorenzo, spreads too wide?
Do you think my plan, Lorenzo, is too ambitious?
Is this extravagant?—No; this is just;
Is this extravagant?—No; this is fair;
Just, in conjecture, though ’twere false in fact.
Just a guess, even if it’s not true.
If ’tis an error, ’tis an error sprung
If it’s a mistake, it’s a mistake that came
From noble root, high thought of the Most High.
From noble origins, elevated thoughts of the Most High.
But wherefore error? who can prove it such?—
But why is there error? Who can prove it to be so?—
He that can set Omnipotence a bound.
He who can limit power.
Can man conceive beyond what God can do?
Can humans imagine things that God can't do?
Nothing, but quite impossible is hard.
Nothing, but nothing is really hard.
He summons into being, with like ease, 1560
He brings into existence, just as easily, 1560
A whole creation, and a single grain.
A complete creation and a single grain.
Speaks he the word? a thousand worlds are born!
Does he speak the word? A thousand worlds are born!
A thousand worlds? there’s space for millions more:
A thousand worlds? There's room for millions more:
And in what space can his great fiat fail?
And in what area could his great command fail?
Condemn me not, cold critic! but indulge
Condemn me not, cold critic! but indulge
The warm imagination: why condemn?
The warm imagination: why judge?
Why not indulge such thoughts, as swell our hearts
Why not entertain such thoughts, as they lift our spirits?
With fuller admiration of that Power,
With greater appreciation for that Power,
Who gives our hearts with such high thoughts to swell?
Who fills our hearts with such grand thoughts?
Why not indulge in His augmented praise? 1570
Why not enjoy His enhanced praise?1570
Darts not His glory a still brighter ray,
Darts not His glory a still brighter ray,
The less is left to Chaos, and the realms
The less is left to Chaos, and the realms
Of hideous Night, where Fancy strays aghast; 1573
Of hideous Night, where imagination wanders in fear; 1573
And, though most talkative, makes no report?
And, even though it's very talkative, it doesn’t share any information?
Still seems my thought enormous? Think again;—
Still think my thoughts are huge? Think again;—
Experience’ self shall aid thy lame belief.
Experience will help your weak belief.
Glasses (that revelation to the sight!)
Glasses (the vision breakthrough!)
Have they not led us in the deep disclose
Have they not guided us in the deep reveal
Of fine-spun nature, exquisitely small,
Delicately spun and very small,
And, though demonstrated, still ill-conceived? 1580
And, though shown, still poorly thought out? 1580
If, then, on the reverse, the mind would mount
If, then, on the other hand, the mind would rise
In magnitude, what mind can mount too far,
In terms of size, what mind can reach too high,
To keep the balance, and creation poise?
To maintain balance and harmony in creation?
Defect alone can err on such a theme;
Defect alone can make mistakes on such a topic;
What is too great, if we the cause survey?
What is too great if we look at the reason?
Stupendous Architect! Thou, Thou art all!
Stupendous Architect! You, you are everything!
My soul flies up and down in thoughts of Thee,
My soul soars and dives in thoughts of You,
And finds herself but at the centre still!
And finds herself right at the center still!
I AM, thy name! Existence, all thine own!
I AM, your name! Existence, entirely yours!
Creation’s nothing; flatter’d much, if styled 1590
Creation's nothing; it's pretty flattering if it gets a title.
“The thin, the fleeting atmosphere of God.”
“The thin, brief presence of God.”
O for the voice—of what? of whom?—What voice
O for the voice—of what? of whom?—What voice
Can answer to my wants, in such ascent,
Can respond to my desires, in such a rise,
As dares to deem one universe too small?
As if anyone would be bold enough to call one universe too small?
Tell me, Lorenzo! (for now fancy glows;
Tell me, Lorenzo! (for now fancy glows;
Fired in the vortex of almighty power)
Fired in the whirlwind of great power
Is not this home creation, in the map
Isn't this home creation, in the map
Of universal nature, as a speck,
Of universal nature, as a speck,
Like fair Britannia in our little ball;
Like fair Britannia at our little party;
Exceeding fair, and glorious, for its size, 1600
Exceeding fair and glorious for its size,1600
But, elsewhere, far outmeasured, far outshone?
But, elsewhere, far exceeded, far outshone?
In fancy (for the fact beyond us lies)
In imagination (for what lies beyond us)
Canst thou not figure it, an isle, almost
Can you not picture it, an island, almost
Too small for notice, in the vast of being;
Too small to be noticed, in the vastness of existence;
Sever’d by mighty seas of unbuilt space
Severed by vast oceans of empty space
From other realms; from ample continents
From other regions; from vast continents
Of higher life, where nobler natives dwell; 1607
Of a better life, where more noble people live;1607
Less northern, less remote from Deity,
Less northern, less distant from God,
Glowing beneath the line of the Supreme;
Glowing beneath the line of the Supreme;
Where souls in excellence make haste, put forth
Where exceptional souls hurry, they strive
Luxuriant growths; nor the late autumn wait
Luxuriant growths; nor the late autumn wait
Of human worth, but ripen soon to gods?
Of human value, but quickly become like gods?
Yet why drown fancy in such depths as these?
Yet why get lost in such depths of imagination?
Return, presumptuous rover! and confess
Return, overconfident traveler! and confess
The bounds of man; nor blame them, as too small.
The limits of humanity; nor should we criticize them as being too narrow.
Enjoy we not full scope in what is seen?
Enjoy we not the full range of what is visible?
Pull ample the dominions of the sun!
Pull ample the dominions of the sun!
Full glorious to behold! How far, how wide,
Full glorious to see! How far, how wide,
The matchless monarch, from his flaming throne, 1619
The unmatched king, from his blazing throne,1619
Lavish of lustre, throws his beams about him,
Lavish with brightness, spreads his light around him,
Farther, and faster, than a thought can fly,
Farther and faster than a thought can travel,
And feeds his planets with eternal fires!
And fuels his planets with everlasting flames!
Than the proud tyrant of the Nile, was built;
Than the proud ruler of the Nile, was built;
And He alone, who built it, can destroy.
And He alone, who built it, can tear it down.
Beyond this city, why strays human thought?
Beyond this city, why does human thought wander?
One wonderful, enough for man to know!
One wonderful thing, enough for a person to understand!
One infinite! enough for man to range!
One infinite! enough for man to explore!
One firmament, enough for man to read!
One sky, enough for everyone to understand!
O what voluminous instruction here! 1630
O what extensive instruction here! 1630
What page of wisdom is denied him? None;
What page of wisdom is denied to him? None;
If learning his chief lesson makes him wise.
If learning his main lesson makes him wise.
Nor is instruction, here, our only gain;
Nor is instruction here our only benefit;
There dwells a noble pathos in the skies,
There’s a deep sense of nobility in the skies,
Which warms our passions, proselytes our hearts.
Which ignites our passions and converts our hearts.
How eloquently shines the glowing pole!
How beautifully the glowing pole shines!
With what authority it gives its charge,
With what authority it gives its command,
Remonstrating great truths in style sublime,
Reminding about important truths in a beautiful way,
Though silent, loud! heard earth around; above
Though silent, loud! heard earth around; above
The planets heard; and not unheard in hell; 1640
The planets listened; and nothing went unheard in hell;1640
Hell has her wonder, though too proud to praise.
Hell has its wonders, but it's too proud to acknowledge them.
Is earth, then, more infernal? Has she those,
Is earth, then, more hellish? Does she have those,
Who neither praise (Lorenzo!) nor admire?
Who doesn't praise (Lorenzo!) or admire?
Lorenzo’s admiration, pre-engaged,
Lorenzo’s admiration, previously engaged,
Ne’er ask’d the moon one question; never held
Ne’er ask’d the moon one question; never held
Least correspondence with a single star;
Least correspondence with a single star;
Ne’er rear’d an altar to the Queen of Heaven
Never raised an altar to the Queen of Heaven
Walking in brightness; or her train adored.
Walking in light; or her entourage admired.
Their sublunary rivals have long since
Their earthly rivals have long since
Engross’d his whole devotion; stars malign, 1650
Engrossed in his entire devotion; hostile stars,1650
Which made the fond astronomer run mad;
Which made the affectionate astronomer go crazy;
Darken his intellect, corrupt his heart;
Darken his mind, corrupt his heart;
Cause him to sacrifice his fame and peace
Make him give up his fame and peace.
To momentary madness, call’d delight.
To fleeting madness, called delight.
Idolater, more gross than ever kiss’d
Idolater, more crass than ever kissed
The lifted hand to Luna, or pour’d out
The raised hand to Luna, or poured out
The blood to Jove!—O Thou, to whom belongs
The blood to Jove!—O You, to whom belongs
All sacrifice! O Thou Great Jove unfeign’d!
All sacrifice! Oh, You Great Jupiter, truly!
Divine Instructor! Thy first volume, this,
Divine Instructor! Your first volume, this,
For man’s perusal; all in capitals! 1660
For people to read; all in capitals!1660
In moon, and stars (heaven’s golden alphabet!)
In the moon and stars (heaven's golden alphabet!)
Emblazed to seize the sight; who runs, may read;
Emblazoned to catch the eye; whoever runs can read;
Who reads, can understand. ’Tis unconfined
Who reads can understand. It’s limitless.
To Christian land, or Jewry; fairly writ,
To Christian land or the Jewish community; well written,
In language universal, to mankind:
For all humanity:
A language, lofty to the learn’d: yet plain
A language, elevated for the educated: yet simple
To those that feed the flock, or guide the plough,
To those who feed the flock or guide the plow,
Or, from his husk, strike out the bounding grain.
Or, from his shell, remove the limiting grain.
A language, worthy the Great Mind, that speaks!
A language worthy of the Great Mind that speaks!
Preface, and comment, to the sacred page! 1670
Preface, and comments, to the sacred page!1670
Which oft refers its reader to the skies,
Which often directs its reader to the skies,
As presupposing his first lesson there,
As assuming his first lesson there,
And Scripture self a fragment, that unread.
And Scripture itself is just a fragment, unread.
Stupendous book of wisdom, to the wise! 1674
Stupendous book of wisdom, for the wise!1674
Stupendous book! and open’d, Night! by thee.
Stupendous book! And opened, Night! by you.
By thee much open’d, I confess, O Night!
By you much revealed, I admit, O Night!
Yet more I wish; but how shall I prevail?
Yet I want more; but how can I succeed?
Say, gentle Night! whose modest, maiden beams
Say, gentle Night! whose soft, delicate lights
Give us a new creation, and present
Give us a new creation, and present
The world’s great picture soften’d to the sight;
The world's grand image softened to the eye;
Nay, kinder far, far more indulgent still,
Nay, much kinder, much more indulgent still,
Say, thou, whose mild dominion’s silver key 1682
Say, you, whose gentle rule's silver key1682
Unlocks our hemisphere, and sets to view
Unlocks our region and reveals
Worlds beyond number; worlds conceal’d by day
Worlds without end; worlds hidden during the day
Behind the proud and envious star of noon!
Behind the proud and envious midday sun!
Canst thou not draw a deeper scene?—and show
Can’t you create a deeper image?—and show
The mighty Potentate, to whom belong
The strong leader, who owns
These rich regalia pompously display’d
These rich outfits are proudly displayed.
I gaze around; I search on every side— 1690
I look around and search in every direction—1690
O for a glimpse of Him my soul adores!
O for a glimpse of Him my soul loves!
As the chased hart, amid the desert waste,
As the hunted deer, in the barren wasteland,
Pants for the living stream; for Him who made her,
Pants for the living stream; for Him who created her,
So pants the thirsty soul, amid the blank
So pants the thirsty soul, amid the blank
Of sublunary joys. Say, goddess! where?
Of earthly pleasures. Tell me, goddess! Where?
Where blazes His bright court? where burns His throne?
Where is His bright court? Where is His throne?
Thou know’st; for thou art near Him; by thee, round
Thou know’st; for thou art near Him; by thee, round
His grand pavilion, sacred fame reports
His grand pavilion, as reports of sacred fame indicate
The sable curtain drawn. If not, can none
The black curtain is drawn. If not, can anyone
Of thy fair daughter train, so swift of wing, 1700
Of your beautiful daughter’s group, so fast in flight, 1700
Who travel far, discover where He dwells?
Who travels far, discovers where He lives?
A star His dwelling pointed out below.
A star showed the way to his home below.
Ye Pleiades! Arcturus! Mazaroth!
Ye Pleiades! Arcturus! Mazaroth!
And thou, Orion! of still keener eye!
And you, Orion! with an even sharper gaze!
Say ye, who guide the wilder’d in the waves,
Say you, who guide the lost in the waves,
And bring them out of tempest into port! 1706
And bring them out of the storm and into the harbor!1706
On which hand must I bend my course to find Him?
On which path should I turn to find Him?
These courtiers keep the secret of their King;
These courtiers protect their King’s secret;
I wake whole nights, in vain, to steal it from them.
I stay up all night, trying in vain to take it from them.
I wake; and, waking, climb Night’s radiant scale,
I wake up; and, as I wake, I climb the bright ladder of Night,
From sphere to sphere; the steps by nature set
From one sphere to another; the steps laid out by nature
For man’s ascent; at once to tempt and aid;
For humanity's rise; both to tempt and support;
To tempt his eye, and aid his towering thought; 1713
To catch his eye and support his lofty thoughts; 1713
Till it arrives at the great goal of all.
Till it reaches the ultimate goal of everything.
In ardent Contemplation’s rapid car,
In passionate thought's fast ride,
From earth, as from my barrier, I set out.
From the ground, just like from my barrier, I began my journey.
How swift I mount! Diminish’d earth recedes;
How quickly I rise! The ground below fades away;
I pass the moon; and, from her farther side,
I pass the moon; and, from her farther side,
Pierce heaven’s blue curtain; strike into remote;
Pierce heaven's blue curtain; strike into remote;
Where, with his lifted tube, the subtle sage 1720
Where, with his raised tube, the clever sage1720
His artificial, airy journey takes,
His artificial, light journey takes,
And to celestial lengthens human sight.
And to the heavens expands human vision.
I pause at every planet on my road,
I stop at every planet on my journey,
And ask for Him who gives their orbs to roll,
And ask for the one who makes their orbs spin,
Their foreheads fair to shine. From Saturn’s ring,
Their foreheads shine brightly. From Saturn's ring,
In which, of earths an army might be lost,
In which, on earth, an army could be defeated,
With the bold comet, take my bolder flight,
With the bold comet, take my bolder flight,
Amid those sovereign glories of the skies,
Amid those majestic glories of the skies,
Of independent, native lustre, proud;
Of independent, native luster, proud;
The souls of systems! and the lords of life, 1730
The spirits of systems! and the rulers of life,1730
Through their wide empires!—What behold I now?
Through their vast empires!—What do I see now?
A wilderness of wonder burning round;
A wild world of wonder all around;
Where larger suns inhabit higher spheres;
Where bigger suns live in higher realms;
Perhaps the villas of descending gods;
Perhaps the villas of gods coming down from above;
Nor halt I here; my toil is but begun;
Nor will I stop here; my work has just begun;
’Tis but the threshold of the Deity;
It's just the doorway to the divine;
Or, far beneath it, I am grovelling still.
Or, far beneath it, I’m still crawling.
Nor is it strange; I built on a mistake;
Nor is it strange; I built on a mistake;
The grandeur of his works, whence folly sought
The greatness of his works, where foolishness sought
For aid, to reason sets his glory higher; 1740
For help, reasoning elevates his glory; 1740
Who built thus high for worms (mere worms to Him),
Who built this high for worms (just worms to Him),
Oh, where, Lorenzo! must the Builder dwell?
Oh, where, Lorenzo! must the Builder live?
Pause, then; and, for a moment, here respire—
Pause for a moment here and take a breath—
If human thought can keep its station here.
If human thought can stay anchored here.
Where am I?—Where is earth?—Nay, where art thou,
Where am I?—Where is Earth?—No, where are you,
O sun?—Is the sun turn’d recluse?—and are
O sun?—Is the sun a recluse now?—and are
His boasted expeditions short to mine?—
His claimed trips were too brief for me?—
To mine, how short! On nature’s Alps I stand,
To me, how brief! I stand on nature's mountains,
And see a thousand firmaments beneath!
And look at a thousand skies below!
A thousand systems! as a thousand grains! 1750
A thousand systems, just like a thousand grains!1750
So much a stranger, and so late arrived,
So much of a stranger, and so late to arrive,
How can man’s curious spirit not inquire,
How can a person's curious nature not ask,
What are the natives of this world sublime,
What are the people of this world like?
Of this so foreign, unterrestrial sphere,
Of this unusual, alien realm,
Where mortal, untranslated, never stray’d?
Where mortals, untranslated, never strayed?
“O ye, as distant from my little home,
“O you, as far from my small home,
As swiftest sunbeams in an age can fly!
As fast as sunlight can travel in an instant!
Far from my native element I roam,
Far away from where I belong, I wander,
In quest of new, and wonderful, to man.
In search of new and amazing things for humanity.
What province this, of His immense domain, 1760
What province is this, within His vast kingdom,1760
Whom all obeys? Or mortals here, or gods?
Who all obeys? The mortals here or the gods?
Ye borderers on the coasts of bliss! what are you?
You borderers on the shores of happiness! Who are you?
A colony from heaven? or, only raised,
A colony from heaven? Or just created,
By frequent visit from heaven’s neighbouring realms,
By frequent visits from the neighboring realms of heaven,
To secondary gods, and half divine?—
To lesser gods and those who are part divine?—
Whate’er your nature, this is past dispute,
Whichever your nature, this is beyond argument,
Far other life you live, far other tongue
Far different life you live, far different language
You talk, far other thought, perhaps, you think,
You speak, but maybe you have a different thought in mind, you think,
Than man. How various are the works of God?
Than man. How diverse are the works of God?
But say, what thought? Is Reason here enthroned, 1770
But tell me, what thought? Is Reason in charge here, 1770
And absolute? or Sense in arms against her?
And absolute? Or sense in arms against her?
Have you two lights? Or need you no reveal’d?
Do you both have lights? Or do you not need to see?
Enjoy your happy realms their golden age?
Enjoy your happy places in their golden age?
And had your Eden an abstemious Eve? 1774
And did your paradise have a temperate Eve?1774
Our Eve’s fair daughters prove their pedigree,
Our beautiful daughters show their heritage,
And ask their Adams—‘Who would not be wise?’
And ask their Adams—‘Who wouldn’t want to be smart?’
Or, if your mother fell, are you redeem’d?
Or, if your mother fell, are you saved?
And if redeem’d—is your Redeemer scorn’d?
And if you've been saved—does that mean your Savior is disrespected?
Is this your final residence? If not,
Is this your permanent home? If not,
Change you your scene, translated? or by death?
Change your scene, translated? Or by death?
And if by death; what death?—Know you disease?
And if it's death; what kind of death?—Do you know about illness?
Or horrid war?—With war, this fatal hour, 1782
Or horrible war?—With war, this deadly time,1782
Europa groans (so call we a small field,
Europa groans (let's call it a small field,
Where kings run mad). In our world, Death deputes
Where kings go crazy). In our world, Death assigns
Intemperance to do the work of Age;
Intemperance does the work of age;
And hanging up the quiver Nature gave him,
And putting away the quiver that Nature gave him,
As slow of execution, for despatch
As slow to act, for dispatch
Sends forth imperial butchers; bids them slay
Sends out royal butchers; tells them to kill
Their sheep (the silly sheep they fleeced before),
Their sheep (the silly sheep they had sheared before),
And toss him twice ten thousand at a meal. 1790
And throw him twenty thousand at a meal.1790
Sit all your executioners on thrones?
Sit all your executioners on thrones?
With you, can rage for plunder make a god?
With you, can the desire for loot turn someone into a god?
And bloodshed wash out every other stain?—
And will bloodshed erase every other mark?—
But you, perhaps, can’t bleed: from matter gross
But you, maybe, can't bleed: from solid matter
Your spirits clean, are delicately clad
Your spirits are pure and gracefully dressed.
In fine-spun ether, privileged to soar,
In delicate air, lucky to rise,
Unloaded, uninfected; how unlike
Unloaded, uninfected; so different
The lot of man! how few of human race
The lot of man! How few of the human race
By their own mud unmurder’d! how we wage
By their own mud unscathed! how we fight
Self-war eternal!—Is your painful day 1800
Self-war forever!—Is your painful day
Of hardy conflict o’er? or, are you still
Of tough battles over? Or are you still
Raw candidates at school? and have you those
Raw candidates at school? And do you have those?
Who disaffect reversions, as with us?—
Who turns away from changes, like we do?—
But what are we? You never heard of man;
But what are we? You've never heard of man;
Or earth, the bedlam of the universe!
Or Earth, the chaos of the universe!
Where Reason (undiseased with you) runs mad,
Where Reason (not messed up by you) goes crazy,
And nurses Folly’s children as her own;
And nurses Folly's children as if they were her own;
Fond of the foulest. In the sacred mount 1808
Fond of the foulest. In the sacred mount1808
Of holiness, where Reason is pronounced
Of holiness, where Reason is declared
Infallible; and thunders, like a god;
Infallible; and roars, like a god;
Even there, by saints, the demons are outdone;
Even there, by saints, the demons are surpassed;
What these think wrong, our saints refine to right;
What these people get wrong, our saints clarify to make right;
And kindly teach dull hell her own black arts;
And please teach boring hell her own dark tricks;
Satan, instructed, o’er their morals smiles.—
Satan, instructed, smiles over their morals.
But this, how strange to you, who know not man!
But this, how strange it must be to you, who do not know people!
Has the least rumour of our race arrived?
Has any news about our people arrived?
Call’d here Elijah in his flaming car?
Call'd here Elijah in his fiery chariot?
Pass’d by you the good Enoch, on his road
Passes by you the good Enoch, on his way
To those fair fields, whence Lucifer was hurl’d;
To those beautiful fields, from where Lucifer was thrown;
Who brush’d, perhaps, your sphere in his descent, 1820
Who may have touched your world on his way down, 1820
Stain’d your pure crystal ether, or let fall
Stained your clear sky, or let down
A short eclipse from his portentous shade?
A brief shadow from his ominous presence?
O that the fiend had lodged on some broad orb
O that the devil had taken up residence on some wide planet
Athwart his way; nor reach’d his present home,
Athwart his way; nor reached his current home,
Then blacken’d earth with footsteps foul’d in hell,
Then the blackened earth with footsteps stained by hell,
Nor wash’d in ocean, as from Rome he pass’d
Nor washed in the ocean, as he passed from Rome
To Britain’s isle; too, too, conspicuous there!”
To Britain’s island; way too obvious there!”
But this is all digression: where is He,
But this is all a distraction: where is He,
That o’er heaven’s battlements the felon hurl’d
That over heaven's walls the criminal threw
To groans, and chains, and darkness? Where is He, 1830
To groans, chains, and darkness? Where is He,1830
Who sees creation’s summit in a vale?
Who sees the peak of creation in a valley?
He, whom, while man is man, he can’t but seek;
He, who, as long as he's a man, can't help but seek;
And if he finds, commences more than man?
And if he discovers, starts more than a person?
O for a telescope His throne to reach!
O for a telescope to reach His throne!
Tell me, ye learn’d on earth! or blest above!
Tell me, you knowledgeable beings on earth! Or those blessed above!
Ye searching, ye Newtonian angels! tell.
You searching, you Newtonian angels! Tell.
Where, your Great Master’s orb? His planets, where?
Where is your Great Master’s orb? Where are his planets?
Those conscious satellites, those morning stars,
Those aware satellites, those morning stars,
First-born of Deity! from central love,
Firstborn of God! from central love,
By veneration most profound, thrown off; 1840
With deep respect, let go; 1840
By sweet attraction, no less strongly drawn;
By sweet attraction, just as strongly pulled;
Awed, and yet raptured; raptured, yet serene; 1842
Awed, but also captivated; captivated, yet calm;1842
Past thought illustrious, but with borrow’d beams;
Past thoughts were brilliant, but borrowed from others;
In still approaching circles, still remote,
In calm, remote circles,
Revolving round the sun’s eternal Sire?
Revolving around the sun’s eternal source?
Or sent, in lines direct, on embassies
Or sent straight on missions
To nations—in what latitude?—Beyond
To nations—in what latitude?—Beyond
Terrestrial thought’s horizon!—And on what
Terrestrial thought's horizon!—And on what
High errands sent?—Here human effort ends;
High tasks sent?—Here human effort concludes;
And leaves me still a stranger to His throne. 1850
And still leaves me a stranger to His throne.1850
Full well it might! I quite mistook my road.
Full well it could! I totally misunderstood my path.
Born in an age more curious than devout;
Born in a time more inquisitive than religious;
More fond to fix the place of heaven, or hell,
More eager to determine the location of heaven or hell,
Than studious this to shun, or that secure.
Than to avoid this by being diligent, or that by being safe.
’Tis not the curious, but the pious path,
It’s not the curious, but the devout path,
That leads me to my point: Lorenzo! know,
That brings me to my point: Lorenzo! I know,
Without or star, or angel, for their guide,
Without a star or an angel to guide them,
Who worship God, shall find him. Humble Love,
Who worships God will find Him. Humble love,
And not proud Reason, keeps the door of heaven;
And not proud Reason, keeps the door of heaven;
Love finds admission, where proud Science fails. 1860
Love finds a way in where proud Science falls short.1860
Man’s science is the culture of his heart;
Man's science is the cultivation of his heart;
And not to lose his plummet in the depths
And not to lose his weight in the depths
Of nature, or the more profound of God.
Of nature, or the deeper aspects of God.
Either to know, is an attempt that sets
Either to know is an attempt that sets
The wisest on a level with the fool.
The smartest person is on the same level as the fool.
To fathom nature (ill attempted here!)
To understand nature (which I’ve tried and failed here!)
Past doubt is deep philosophy above;
Past doubt is deep thinking above;
Higher degrees in bliss archangels take,
Higher degrees of bliss archangels achieve,
As deeper learn’d; the deepest, learning still.
As I learn more, I realize there’s always more to learn.
For, what a thunder of omnipotence 1870
For, what a roar of power1870
(So might I dare to speak) is seen in all!
(So might I dare to speak) is seen in all!
In man! in earth! in more amazing skies!
In man! in earth! in even more incredible skies!
Teaching this lesson, Pride is loath to learn—
Teaching this lesson, Pride is reluctant to learn—
“Not deeply to discern, not much to know,
“Not deeply to understand, not much to know,
Mankind was born to wonder, and adore.”
Mankind was born to marvel and cherish.
And is there cause for higher wonder still, 1876
And is there reason for even greater wonder still,1876
Than that which struck us from our past surveys?
Than what impacted us from our previous surveys?
Yes; and for deeper adoration too.
Yes, and for deeper worship too.
From my late airy travel unconfined,
From my past carefree travels,
Have I learn’d nothing?—Yes, Lorenzo! this:
Have I learned nothing?—Yes, Lorenzo! This:
Each of these stars is a religious house;
Each of these stars is a place of worship;
I saw their altars smoke, their incense rise;
I saw their altars smoking, their incense rising;
And heard hosannas ring through every sphere, 1883
And heard praises echo through every space,1883
A seminary fraught with future gods.
A seminary filled with future gods.
Nature all o’er is consecrated ground,
Nature is sacred everywhere.
Teeming with growths immortal, and divine.
Full of eternal and divine growths.
The Great Proprietor’s all-bounteous hand
The Great Proprietor’s generous hand
Leaves nothing waste; but sows these fiery fields
Leaves nothing wasted; but plants these fiery fields
With seeds of reason, which to virtues rise
With seeds of reason, which grow into virtues
Beneath His genial ray; and, if escaped 1890
Beneath His friendly light; and, if escaped1890
The pestilential blasts of stubborn will,
The toxic winds of stubborn determination,
When grown mature, are gather’d for the skies.
When fully grown, they are gathered for the heavens.
And is devotion thought too much on earth,
And is devotion considered too much on earth,
When beings, so superior, homage boast,
When beings so superior show off their respect,
And triumph in prostrations to the Throne?
And celebrate in submission to the Throne?
But wherefore more of planets, or of stars?
But why talk more about planets or stars?
Ethereal journeys, and, discover’d there,
Ethereal journeys, and discovered there,
Ten thousand worlds, ten thousand ways devout,
Ten thousand worlds, ten thousand ways to be faithful,
All nature sending incense to the Throne,
All of nature sending up fragrant smoke to the Throne,
Except the bold Lorenzos of our sphere? 1900
Except for the bold Lorenzos in our circle?1900
Opening the solemn sources of my soul,
Opening the serious sources of my soul,
My flowing numbers o’er the flaming skies,
My flowing numbers over the blazing skies,
Nor see, of fancy, or of fact, what more
Nor see, whether in imagination or reality, what more
Invites the Muse.—Here turn we, and review
Invites the Muse.—Here we turn and reflect
Our past nocturnal landscape wide:—then say,
Our past nightlife was vast:—then say,
Say, then, Lorenzo! with what burst of heart,
Say, then, Lorenzo! with what surge of emotion,
The whole, at once, revolving in his thought,
The whole thing, all at once, spinning in his mind,
Must man exclaim, adoring, and aghast? 1909
Must man shout in awe and shock?1909
“Oh, what a root! Oh, what a branch, is here!
“Oh, what a root! Oh, what a branch, is here!
Oh, what a Father! what a family!
Oh, what a dad! What a family!
Worlds! systems! and creations!—and creations,
Worlds, systems, and creations!
In one agglomerated cluster, hung,
In one clustered group, hung,
The filial cluster! infinitely spread
The family group! infinitely spread
In glowing globes, with various being fraught;
In bright globes, filled with different beings;
And drinks (nectareous draught!) immortal life.
And drinks (nectar-like drinks!) grant eternal life.
Or, shall I say (for who can say enough?)
Or, should I say (because who can say enough?)
A constellation of ten thousand gems,
A cluster of ten thousand gems,
(And, oh! of what dimension! of what weight!) 1920
(And, wow! what a size! what a weight!)1920s
Set in one signet, flames on the right hand
Set in one signet, flames on the right hand
Of Majesty Divine! The blazing seal,
Of Divine Majesty! The blazing seal,
That deeply stamps, on all created mind,
That leaves a lasting impression on everyone’s mind,
Indelible, His sovereign attributes,
Unforgettable, His supreme qualities,
Omnipotence, and love! that, passing bound:
Omnipotence and love! That goes beyond limits:
And this, surpassing that. Nor stop we here,
And this goes beyond that. We won’t stop here,
For want of power in God, but thought in man.
For lack of power in God, but thought in humanity.
Even this acknowledged, leaves us still in debt:
Even with this accepted, we're still in debt:
If greater aught, that greater all is Thine,
If there's anything greater, that greater thing is Yours,
Dread Sire!—Accept this miniature of Thee; 1930
Dread Sire!—Accept this small portrait of you;1930
And pardon an attempt from mortal thought,
And forgive a try from human thinking,
In which archangels might have fail’d, unblamed.”
In which archangels might have failed, unblamed.
How such ideas of th’ Almighty’s power,
How such ideas of the Almighty's power,
And such ideas of th’ Almighty’s plan
And such ideas of the Almighty's plan
(Ideas not absurd), distend the thought
(Ideas not absurd), expand the thought
Of feeble mortals! Nor of them alone!
Of weak humans! And not just them!
The fulness of the Deity breaks forth
The fullness of the Deity shines through
In inconceivables to men, and gods.
In unimaginable things for both humans and gods.
Think, then, oh, think; nor ever drop the thought;
Think, then, oh, think; and never let go of that thought;
How low must man descend, when gods adore! 1940
How low must humanity go, when even gods admire!1940
Have I not, then, accomplish’d my proud boast?
Have I not, then, fulfilled my proud claim?
Did I not tell thee, “We would mount, Lorenzo! 1942
Did I not tell you, “We would mount, Lorenzo!”1942
And kindle our devotion at the stars”?
And spark our devotion at the stars?
And have I fail’d? and did I flatter thee?
And did I fail? Did I try to win you over?
And art all adamant? and dost confute
And is art all unyielding? And do you refute
All urged, with one irrefragable smile?
All urged, with one undeniable smile?
Lorenzo! mirth how miserable here!
Lorenzo! It's so miserable here!
Swear by the stars, by Him who made them, swear,
Swear by the stars, by the one who created them, swear,
Thy heart, henceforth, shall be as pure as they:
Your heart, from now on, will be as pure as theirs:
Then thou, like them, shalt shine; like them, shalt rise
Then you, like them, will shine; like them, will rise.
From low to lofty; from obscure to bright; 1951
From low to high; from unknown to clear;1951
By due gradation, Nature’s sacred law.
By the proper order, Nature’s sacred law.
The stars, from whence?—Ask Chaos—he can tell.
The stars, where do they come from?—Ask Chaos—he knows.
These bright temptations to idolatry,
These enticing temptations to idolatry,
From darkness, and confusion, took their birth;
From darkness and confusion, they were born;
Sons of deformity! from fluid dregs
Sons of deformity! From liquid remnants
Tartarean, first they rose to masses rude;
Tartarean, first they rose to crude masses;
And then, to spheres opaque; then dimly shone;
And then, to dark areas; then it glimmered faintly;
Then brighten’d; then blazed out in perfect day.
Then it brightened; then it burst into a perfect day.
Nature delights in progress; in advance 1960
Nature delights in progress; in advance1960s
From worse to better: but, when minds ascend,
From bad to good: but, when thoughts rise,
Progress, in part, depends upon themselves.
Progress, in part, depends on them.
Heaven aids exertion; greater makes the great;
Heaven helps those who work hard; it elevates the great;
The voluntary little lessens more.
The voluntary little reduces more.
Oh, be a man! and thou shalt be a god!
Oh, be a man! and you will be a god!
And half self-made!—Ambition how divine!
And half self-made!—What divine ambition!
O thou, ambitious of disgrace alone!
Oh you, just looking for trouble!
Still undevout? unkindled?—Though high-taught,
Still uninterested? uninvoked?—Though highly educated,
School’d by the skies, and pupil of the stars;
School'd by the skies, and student of the stars;
Rank coward to the fashionable world! 1970
Rank coward to the trendy world!1970s
Art thou ashamed to bend thy knee to heaven?
Are you ashamed to kneel to heaven?
Cursed fume of pride, exhaled from deepest hell!
Cursed fumes of pride, breathed out from the depths of hell!
Pride in religion is man’s highest praise.
Pride in religion is the greatest honor for a person.
Bent on destruction! and in love with death!
Bent on destruction and in love with death!
Not all these luminaries, quench’d at once,
Not all these bright stars faded at once,
Were half so sad, as one benighted mind, 1976
Were half as sad as one lost in darkness,1976
Which gropes for happiness, and meets despair.
Which reaches for happiness but finds despair.
How, like a widow in her weeds, the Night,
How, like a widow in her mourning clothes, the Night,
Amid her glimmering tapers, silent sits!
Amid her shining candles, she sits quietly!
How sorrowful, how desolate, she weeps
How sad, how lonely, she cries.
Perpetual dews, and saddens nature’s scene!
Perpetual dews, and makes nature’s scene sad!
A scene more sad sin makes the darken’d soul,
A scene more sorrowful than sin darkens the soul,
All comfort kills, nor leaves one spark alive. 1983
All comfort kills, leaving not a single spark alive.1983
Though blind of heart, still open is thine eye:
Though blind of heart, your eye is still open:
Why such magnificence in all thou seest?
Why is there such magnificence in everything you see?
Of matter’s grandeur, know, one end is this,
Of the greatness of matter, understand that this is one conclusion,
To tell the rational, who gazes on it—
To explain to the rational person who looks at it—
“Though that immensely great, still greater He,
“Though that immensely great, still greater He,
Whose breast, capacious, can embrace, and lodge,
Whose chest, spacious, can hold and keep,
Unburden’d, nature’s universal scheme; 1990
Unburdened, nature’s universal plan; 1990
Can grasp creation with a single thought;
Can understand creation with just one thought;
Creation grasp; and not exclude its Sire”—
Creation grasp; and not exclude its Creator”—
To tell him farther—“It behoves him much
To tell him more—“It’s very important for him
To guard th’ important, yet depending, fate
To protect the important, yet uncertain, fate
Of being, brighter than a thousand suns:
Of being, brighter than a thousand suns:
One single ray of thought outshines them all.”—
One single thought shines brighter than the rest.—
And if man hears obedient, soon he’ll soar
And if a person listens and follows, they’ll rise quickly.
Superior heights, and on his purple wing,
Superior heights, and on his purple wing,
His purple wing bedropp’d with eyes of gold,
His purple wing covered with eyes of gold,
Rising, where thought is now denied to rise, 2000
Rising, where thought is now unable to rise,2000s
Look down triumphant on these dazzling spheres.
Look down triumphantly on these bright spheres.
Why then persist?—No mortal ever lived
Why keep going then?—No human has ever lived
But, dying, he pronounced (when words are true)
But, dying, he said (when words are true)
The whole that charms thee, absolutely vain;
The whole thing that captivates you is completely pointless;
Vain, and far worse!—Think thou, with dying men;
Vain, and even worse!—Do you think about dying people;
Oh, condescend to think as angels think!
Oh, please try to think like angels do!
Oh, tolerate a chance for happiness!
Oh, allow yourself a chance for happiness!
Our nature such, ill choice ensures ill fate;
Our nature is such that bad choices lead to bad outcomes;
And hell had been, though there had been no God.
And hell had existed, even without God.
Dost thou not know, my new astronomer! 2010
Dost thou not know, my new astronomer!2010
Earth, turning from the sun, brings night to man?
Earth, rotating away from the sun, brings night to people.
Man, turning from his God, brings endless night;
Man, turning away from his God, brings endless darkness;
Where thou canst read no morals, find no friend,
Where you can't find any morals, don't expect to find a friend,
Amend no manners, and expect no peace.
Change your ways, and you can't expect to find peace.
How deep the darkness! and the groan, how loud!
How deep is the darkness! And how loud is the groan!
And far, how far, from lambent are the flames!—
And wow, how far from glowing are the flames!—
Such is Lorenzo’s purchase! such his praise!
Such is Lorenzo's purchase! Such is his praise!
The proud, the politic, Lorenzo’s praise!
The proud, the clever, Lorenzo’s praise!
Though in his ear, and levell’d at his heart,
Though aimed at his heart and whispered in his ear,
I’ve half read o’er the volume of the skies. 2020
I’ve partially read through the book of the skies.2020
For think not thou hast heard all this from me;
For don't think you've heard all of this from me;
My song but echoes what great Nature speaks.
My song just echoes what nature says.
What has she spoken? Thus the goddess spoke,
What has she said? So the goddess said,
Thus speaks for ever:—“Place, at nature’s head,
Thus speaks forever:—“Place, at nature’s head,
A sovereign, which o’er all things rolls his eye,
A ruler, who watches over everything,
Extends his wing, promulgates his commands,
Extends his wing, issues his orders,
But, above all, diffuses endless good;
But, more than anything, spreads endless goodness;
To whom, for sure redress, the wrong’d may fly;
To whom, for sure justice, can the wronged turn?
The vile, for mercy; and the pain’d, for peace;
The wicked seek mercy; and the suffering, peace;
By whom, the various tenants of these spheres, 2030
By whom, the various tenants of these spheres,2030
Diversified in fortunes, place, and powers,
Diversified in wealth, location, and abilities,
Raised in enjoyment, as in worth they rise,
Raised in enjoyment, just as they gain value,
Arrive at length (if worthy such approach)
Arrive eventually (if deserving of such an approach)
At that bless’d fountain-head, from which they stream;
At that blessed source, from which they flow;
Where conflict past redoubles present joy;
Where past conflict intensifies present joy;
And present joy looks forward on increase;
And the joy we have now looks ahead to more to come;
And that, on more; no period! every step
And that’s it, no more! Every step
A double boon! a promise, and a bliss.”
A double blessing! a promise, and pure joy.”
How easy sits this scheme on human hearts!
How easily this scheme resonates with people!
It suits their make; it soothes their vast desires; 2040
It matches their nature; it calms their big desires;2040
Passion is pleased; and Reason asks no more;
Passion is satisfied; and Reason wants nothing else;
’Tis rational! ’tis great!—But what is thine?
It's logical! It's fantastic!—But what about yours?
It darkens! shocks! excruciates! and confounds!
It gets darker! It shocks! It pains! And it confuses!
Leaves us quite naked, both of help, and hope, 2044
Leaves us completely exposed, without help or hope,2044
Sinking from bad to worse; few years, the sport
Sinking from bad to worse; few years, the sport
Of Fortune; then the morsel of Despair.
Of Fortune; then the bite of Despair.
Say, then, Lorenzo! (for thou know’st it well)
Say, then, Lorenzo! (because you know it well)
What’s vice?—Mere want of compass in our thought.
What’s vice?—Just a lack of direction in our thoughts.
Religion, what?—The proof of common sense.
Religion? It’s just common sense.
How art thou hooted, where the least prevails!
How are you mocked, where the weakest stands out!
Is it my fault, if these truths call thee fool?
Is it my fault if these truths make you look like a fool?
And thou shalt never be miscall’d by me. 2052
And you will never be called anything wrong by me.2052
Can neither shame, nor terror, stand thy friend;
Can neither shame nor fear affect your friend;
And art thou still an insect in the mire?
And are you still stuck in the mud?
How, like thy guardian angel, have I flown;
How, like your guardian angel, have I flown;
Snatch’d thee from earth; escorted thee through all
Snatched you from the earth; guided you through everything
Th’ ethereal armies; walk’d thee, like a god,
Th' ethereal armies walked with you like a god,
Through splendours of first magnitude, arranged
Through breathtaking wonders of the highest order, organized
On either hand; clouds thrown beneath thy feet;
On either side; clouds spread beneath your feet;
Close cruised on the bright paradise of God; 2060
Close cruised on the bright paradise of God;2060
And almost introduced thee to the Throne!
And I almost introduced you to the Throne!
And art thou still carousing, for delight,
And are you still partying for fun,
Rank poison; first, fermenting to mere froth,
Rank poison; first, fermenting to mere froth,
And then subsiding into final gall?
And then fading into ultimate bitterness?
To beings of sublime, immortal make,
To beings of magnificent, eternal creation,
How shocking is all joy, whose end is sure!
How shocking is all joy, knowing it will eventually end!
Such joy, more shocking still, the more it charms!
Such joy, even more surprising, the more it captivates!
And dost thou choose what ends ere well begun;
And do you decide the outcomes before they’ve even started;
And infamous, as short? And dost thou choose
And infamous, as short? And do you choose
(Thou, to whose palate glory is so sweet) 2070
(You, to whom glory tastes so sweet)2070
To wade into perdition, through contempt,
To walk into destruction, out of disdain,
Not of poor bigots only, but thy own?
Not just the ignorant bigots, but your own too?
For I have peep’d into thy cover’d heart,
For I have looked into your hidden heart,
And seen it blush beneath a boastful brow;
And watched it turn red under a proud facade;
For, by strong guilt’s most violent assault,
For, by the intense force of deep guilt,
Conscience is but disabled, not destroy’d.
Conscience is just weakened, not gone.
O thou most awful being, and most vain!
O you most terrible being, and most vain!
Thy will, how frail! how glorious is thy power! 2078
Your will, how fragile! How glorious is your power!2078
Though dread eternity has sown her seeds
Though dreaded eternity has sown her seeds
Of bliss, and woe, in thy despotic breast;
Of happiness and sorrow in your controlling heart;
Though heaven, and hell, depend upon thy choice;
Though heaven and hell depend on your choice;
A butterfly comes cross, and both are fled.
A butterfly crosses by, and both take flight.
Is this the picture of a rational?
Is this the picture of a rational person?
This horrid image, shall it be most just?
This awful image, will it be fair?
Lorenzo! no: it cannot,—shall not, be,
Lorenzo! No, it can't—and it won't be.
If there is force in reason; or, in sounds
If there's power in logic; or, in sounds
Chanted beneath the glimpses of the moon,
Chanted under the light of the moon,
A magic, at this planetary hour,
A magic, at this planetary hour,
When slumber locks the general lip, and dreams
When sleep shuts the general's mouth, and dreams
Through senseless mazes hunt souls uninspired. 2090
Through pointless mazes, aimlessly searching for uninspired souls.2090
Attend—the sacred mysteries begin—
Join us—the sacred rituals start—
My solemn night-born adjuration hear;
Hear my serious night-time plea;
Hear, and I’ll raise thy spirit from the dust;
Hear, and I’ll lift your spirit from the ground;
While the stars gaze on this enchantment new;
While the stars look down on this new enchantment;
Enchantment, not infernal, but divine!
Divine enchantment, not infernal!
“By silence, Death’s peculiar attribute;
"Through silence, Death's unique quality;"
By darkness, Guilt’s inevitable doom;
By darkness, Guilt's certain end;
By Darkness, and by Silence, sisters dread!
By Darkness, and by Silence, sisters fear!
That draw the curtain round Night’s ebon throne,
That draw the curtain around Night’s dark throne,
And raise ideas, solemn as the scene! 2100
And bring up thoughts as serious as the moment!2100
By Night, and all of awful, Night presents
By night, and all of the frightening, night presents
To thought, or sense (of awful much, to both,
To think, or feel (of so much, to both,
The goddess brings)! By these her trembling fires,
The goddess brings)! Through these her shaking flames,
Like Vesta’s, ever burning; and, like hers,
Like Vesta's, always burning; and, like hers,
Sacred to thoughts immaculate, and pure!
Sacred to thoughts that are spotless and pure!
By these bright orators, that prove, and praise,
By these eloquent speakers who demonstrate and applaud,
And press thee to revere, the Deity;
And urge you to respect, the Deity;
Perhaps, too, aid thee, when revered a while,
Perhaps, too, help you, when respected for a while,
To reach his throne; as stages of the soul,
To reach his throne; as stages of the soul,
Through which, at different periods, she shall pass, 2110
Through which, at different times, she will pass,2110
Refining gradual, for her final height,
Refining gradually to her final height,
And purging off some dross at every sphere! 2112
And getting rid of some unnecessary stuff at every level!2112
By this dark pall thrown o’er the silent world!
By this dark veil cast over the quiet world!
By the world’s kings, and kingdoms, most renown’d,
By the world’s kings and most famous kingdoms,
From short ambition’s zenith set for ever;
From the peak of brief ambition, fixed forever;
Sad presage to vain boasters, now in bloom!
Sad warning to empty braggarts, now in full swing!
By the long list of swift mortality,
By the long list of quick deaths,
From Adam downward to this evening knell,
From Adam all the way to this evening's toll,
Which midnight waves in Fancy’s startled eye;
Which midnight waves in Fancy’s surprised eye;
And shocks her with an hundred centuries, 2120
And surprises her with a hundred centuries,2120
Round Death’s black banner throng’d, in human thought!
Round Death's dark banner gathered, in human thought!
By thousands, now, resigning their last breath,
By the thousands, now, taking their last breath,
And calling thee—wert thou so wise to hear!
And calling you—if only you were wise enough to listen!
By tombs o’er tombs arising; human earth
By graves upon graves rising; human soil
Ejected, to make room for—human earth;
Ejected, to create space for—human land;
The monarch’s terror! and the sexton’s trade!
The king's fear! and the gravedigger's job!
By pompous obsequies that shun the day,
By grand funerals that avoid the light of day,
The torch funereal, and the nodding plume,
The funeral torch and the swaying feather,
Which makes poor man’s humiliation proud;
Which makes the poor man's humiliation feel proud;
Boast of our ruin! triumph of our dust! 2130
Boast of our destruction! Victory of our remains!2130
By the damp vault that weeps o’er royal bones;
By the wet tomb that cries over royal remains;
And the pale lamp that shows the ghastly dead,
And the dim lamp that reveals the eerie dead,
More ghastly, through the thick incumbent gloom!
More terrifying, through the heavy, oppressive darkness!
By visits (if there are) from darker scenes,
By visits (if there are) from darker scenes,
The gliding spectre! and the groaning grave!
The gliding ghost! and the moaning grave!
By groans, and graves, and miseries that groan
By moans, and tombs, and the suffering that cries out
For the grave’s shelter! By desponding men,
For the grave’s shelter! By hopeless men,
Senseless to pains of death, from pangs of guilt!
Senseless to the pains of death, from the pangs of guilt!
By guilt’s last audit! By yon moon in blood,
By guilt's final check! By that moon in blood,
The rocking firmament, the falling stars, 2140
The swaying sky, the shooting stars,2140
And thunder’s last discharge, great nature’s knell!
And the last clap of thunder, the great farewell of nature!
By second chaos; and eternal night”—
By second chaos; and eternal night”—
Be wise—nor let Philander blame my charm;
Be smart—don't let Philander blame my charm;
But own not ill discharged my double debt,
But I haven't fully paid off my double debt,
Love to the living; duty to the dead.
Love to the living; responsibility to the dead.
For know I’m but executor; he left 2146
For I know I'm just the executor; he left2146
This moral legacy; I make it o’er
This moral legacy; I pass it on
By his command; Philander hear in me;
By his command; Philander, listen to me;
And Heaven in both.—If deaf to these, oh! hear
And Heaven in both.—If you're deaf to these, oh! hear
Florello’s tender voice; his weal depends
Florello’s gentle voice; his well-being relies
On thy resolve; it trembles at thy choice;
On your resolve; it shakes at your choice;
For his sake—love thyself. Example strikes
For his sake—love yourself. Example strikes
All human hearts; a bad example more; 2153
All human hearts; a worse example too;2153
More still a father’s; that ensures his ruin.
More still a father’s; that guarantees his downfall.
As parent of his being, would’st thou prove
As the one who created him, would you prove
Th’ unnatural parent of his miseries,
The unnatural source of his misery,
And make him curse the being which thou gavest?
And make him curse the being you gave him?
Is this the blessing of so fond a father?
Is this the blessing of such a loving father?
If careless of Lorenzo! spare, oh! spare
If Lorenzo is careless! Please, oh! please spare
Florello’s father, and Philander’s friend! 2160
Florello's dad, and Philander's friend! 2160
Florello’s father ruin’d, ruins him;
Florello's father ruined, ruins him;
And from Philander’s friend the world expects
And from Philander's friend, the world expects
A conduct, no dishonour to the dead.
A behavior that brings no shame to the deceased.
Let passion do, what nobler motive should;
Let passion do what a nobler motive should;
Let love, and emulation, rise in aid
Let love and competition rise to help.
To reason; and persuade thee to be—blest.
To think things through; and convince you to be—blessed.
This seems not a request to be denied;
This doesn't seem like a request that can be refused;
Yet (such th’ infatuation of mankind!)
Yet (such is the foolishness of humanity!)
’Tis the most hopeless, man can make to man.
It's the most hopeless thing that one person can do to another.
Shall I then rise, in argument, and warmth? 2170
Shall I then stand up, in debate, and passion?2170
And urge Philander’s posthumous advice,
And share Philander's posthumous advice,
From topics yet unbroach’d?——
From topics not covered yet?——
But, oh! I faint! my spirits fail!—Nor strange!
But, oh! I’m fainting! My spirits are failing!—And it’s not surprising!
So long on wing, and in no middle clime!
So long in the air, and not in any middle ground!
To which my great Creator’s glory call’d:
To which my great Creator's glory called:
And calls—but, now, in vain. Sleep’s dewy wand
And calls—but now, it's useless. Sleep's dewy wand
Has stroked my drooping lips, and promises
Has touched my sagging lips and makes promises
My long arrear of rest; the downy god
My long overdue rest; the soft god
(Wont to return with our returning peace)
(Willing to come back with our restored peace)
Will pay, ere long, and bless me with repose. 2180
Will pay soon and give me peace. 2180
Haste, haste, sweet stranger! from the peasant’s cot,
Hurry, hurry, sweet stranger! from the peasant’s cottage,
The shipboy’s hammock, or the soldier’s straw,
The shipboy's hammock or the soldier's straw,
Whence sorrow never chased thee; with thee bring,
Whence sadness never caught up with you; bring it with you,
Not hideous visions, as of late; but draughts
Not ugly visions, as of late; but drafts
Delicious of well-tasted, cordial, rest;
Tasty, friendly, relaxing.
Man’s rich restorative; his balmy bath,
Man’s rich restorative; his soothing bath,
That supples, lubricates, and keeps in play
That provides flexibility, reduces friction, and keeps things running smoothly.
The various movements of this nice machine,
The different movements of this cool machine,
Which asks such frequent periods of repair.
That needs constant repairs.
When tired with vain rotations of the day, 2190
When exhausted from the pointless cycles of the day,2190
Sleep winds us up for the succeeding dawn;
Sleep prepares us for the coming dawn;
Fresh we spin on, till sickness clogs our wheels,
Fresh, we keep moving on until illness slows us down.
Or death quite breaks the spring, and motion ends.
Or death completely halts the spring, and movement stops.
When will it end with me?
When will it end for me?
——“Thou only know’st,
"You only know,"
Thou, whose broad eye the future, and the past,
Thou, whose wide eye sees the future and the past,
Joins to the present; making one of three
Joins to the present; creating one of three
To moral thought! Thou know’st, and Thou alone,
To moral thought! You know, and you alone,
All-knowing!—all unknown!—and yet well known!
All-knowing!—all unknown!—and yet familiar!
Near, though remote! and, though unfathom’d, felt! 2200
Near, yet distant! and, though uncharted, experienced!2200
And, though invisible, for ever seen!
And, even though it can't be seen, it's always visible!
And seen in all! the great and the minute:
And seen in everything! the big and the small:
Each globe above, with its gigantic race,
Each globe above, with its huge race,
Each flower, each leaf, with its small people swarm’d,
Each flower, each leaf, surrounded by its little people,
(Those puny vouchers of Omnipotence!)
(Those tiny vouchers of Omnipotence!)
To the first thought, that asks, ‘From whence?’ declare
To the first thought that asks, ‘Where is that from?’ declare
Their common source. Thou Fountain, running o’er
Their common source. You Fountain, overflowing
In rivers of communicated joy!
In rivers of shared joy!
Who gavest us speech for far, far humbler themes!
Who gave us the ability to speak for much simpler topics!
Say, by what name shall I presume to call 2210
Say, what name should I use to call you?
Him I see burning in these countless suns,
Him I see burning in these countless suns,
As Moses, in the bush? Illustrious Mind!
As Moses, in the bush? Brilliant Mind!
The whole creation, less, far less, to Thee,
The entire creation, much less, to You,
Than that to the creation’s ample round. 2214
Than that to the creation’s ample round.2214
How shall I name Thee?—How my labouring soul
How should I name You?—How my struggling soul
Heaves underneath the thought, too big for birth!
Heaves under the thought, too big to be born!
“Great System of perfections! Mighty Cause
“Great System of Perfections! Mighty Cause
Of causes mighty! Cause uncaused! sole Root
Of mighty causes! Uncaused cause! Sole root
Of nature, that luxuriant growth of God!
Of nature, that lush creation of God!
First Father of effects! that progeny
First Father of effects! that progeny
Of endless series; where the golden chain’s
Of endless series; where the golden chain’s
Last link admits a period, who can tell? 2222
Last link admits a period, who can tell?2222
Father of all that is or heard, or hears!
Father of everything that exists or has existed, or listens!
Father of all that is or seen, or sees!
Father of everything that exists, whether visible or perceiving!
Father of all that is, or shall arise!
Father of everything that exists or will exist!
Father of this immeasurable mass
Dad of this immense mass
Of matter multiform; or dense, or rare;
Of matter in many forms; whether dense or thin;
Opaque, or lucid; rapid, or at rest;
Opaque, or clear; fast, or stationary;
Minute, or passing bound! in each extreme
Minute, or passing limit! in each extreme
Of like amaze, and mystery, to man. 2230
Of similar amazement and mystery, to humanity.2230
Father of these bright millions of the night!
Father of these bright millions of the night!
Of which the least full godhead had proclaim’d,
Of which the least complete divine being had declared,
And thrown the gazer on his knee—or, say,
And threw the watcher on his knee—or, say,
Is appellation higher still, Thy choice?
Is your choice still a higher title?
Father of matter’s temporary lords!
Father of matter's temporary rulers!
Father of spirits! nobler offspring! sparks
Father of spirits! more noble descendants! sparks
Of high paternal glory; rich endow’d
Of great fatherly honor; generously gifted
With various measures, and with various modes
With different measures and different methods
Of instinct, reason, intuition; beams
Of instinct, reason, intuition; beams
More pale, or bright from day divine, to break 2240
More pale, or bright from the divine day, to break
The dark of matter organized (the ware
The dark of matter organized (the ware
Of all created spirit); beams, that rise
Of all created spirits, beams that rise
Each over other in superior light,
Each on top of the other in better light,
Till the last ripens into lustre strong,
Till the end shines with a strong brightness,
Of next approach to Godhead. Father fond
Of the next approach to divinity. Affectionate Father
(Far fonder than e’er bore that name on earth)
(Far more affectionate than anyone who ever carried that name on earth)
Of intellectual beings! beings bless’d
Of intelligent beings! blessed beings
With powers to please Thee; not of passive ply 2248
With the ability to please You; not of passive submission
To laws they know not; beings lodged in seats
To laws they do not understand; beings placed in positions
Of well-adapted joys, in different domes
Of well-suited joys, in different spaces
Of this imperial palace for thy sons;
Of this imperial palace for your sons;
Of this proud, populous, well policied,
Of this proud, thriving, well-run,
Though boundless habitation, plann’d by Thee:
Though limitless living space, designed by You:
Whose several clans their several climates suit;
Whose various clans fit their different climates;
And transposition, doubtless, would destroy.
And transposition would definitely destroy.
Or, oh! indulge, immortal King, indulge
Or, oh! indulge, immortal King, indulge
A title, less august indeed, but more
A title, less grand for sure, but more
Endearing; ah! how sweet in human ears!
Endearing; ah! how pleasant to human ears!
Sweet in our ears, and triumph in our hearts!
Sweet to our ears, and victory in our hearts!
Father of immortality to man! 2260
Father of immortality to humanity! 2260
And Thou the next! yet equal! Thou, by whom
And you are next! yet equal! You, by whom
That blessing was convey’d; far more! was bought;
That blessing was given; even more! was acquired;
Ineffable the price! by whom all worlds
Ineffable the price! by whom all worlds
Were made; and one redeem’d! illustrious Light
Were made; and one redeemed! bright Light
From Light illustrious! Thou, whose regal power,
From Light illustrious! You, whose royal power,
Finite in time, but infinite in space,
Finite in time, but infinite in space,
On more than adamantine basis fix’d,
On a more solid foundation fixed,
O’er more, far more, than diadems, and thrones,
O'er more, far more, than crowns, and seats of power,
Inviolably reigns; the dread of gods! 2270
Inviolably reigns; the fear of the gods!2270
And oh! the friend of man! beneath whose foot,
And oh! the friend of humanity! beneath whose foot,
And by the mandate of whose awful nod,
And by the command of whose terrible nod,
All regions, revolutions, fortunes, fates,
All regions, revolutions, wealth, destinies,
Of high, of low, of mind, and matter, roll
Of high, of low, of thoughts, and things, roll
Through the short channels of expiring time,
Through the brief moments of passing time,
Or shoreless ocean of eternity,
Or limitless ocean of eternity,
Calm, or tempestuous (as thy Spirit breathes),
Calm or stormy (depending on how your Spirit feels),
In absolute subjection!—And, O Thou
In complete submission!—And, O You
The glorious Third! distinct, not separate!
The glorious Third! distinct, not separate!
Beaming from both! with both incorporate; 2280
Beaming from both! with both incorporate;2280
And (strange to tell!) incorporate with dust! 2281
And (strange to say!) mixed with dust!2281
By condescension, as Thy glory, great,
By acting superior, just like Your greatness,
Enshrined in man! Of human hearts, if pure,
Enshrined in humanity! If human hearts are pure,
Divine inhabitant! The tie divine
Divine being! The divine connection
Of heaven with distant earth! by whom, I trust
Of heaven with distant earth! By whom, I hope
(If not inspired), uncensured this address
(If not inspired), uncensored this address
To Thee, to Them—to whom?—Mysterious Power!
To You, to Them—to whom?—Mysterious Force!
Reveal’d—yet unreveal’d! darkness in light;
Revealed—yet unrevealed! Darkness in light;
Number in unity! our joy! our dread!
Number in unity! Our joy! Our fear!
The triple bolt that lays all wrong in ruin! 2290
The three bolts that are all messed up in destruction!2290
That animates all right, the triple sun!
That really brings everything to life, the triple sun!
Sun of the soul! her never-setting sun!
Sun of the soul! her everlasting sun!
Triune, unutterable, unconceived,
Triune, unspeakable, unimaginable,
Absconding, yet demonstrable, Great God!
Running away, yet evident, OMG!
Greater than greatest! better than the best!
Greater than the greatest! Better than the best!
Kinder than kindest! with soft pity’s eye,
Kinder than the kindest! with a gaze full of soft compassion,
Or (stronger still to speak it) with Thine own,
Or (even stronger to say it) with Yours,
From Thy bright home, from that high firmament,
From Your bright home, from that high sky,
Where Thou, from all eternity, hast dwelt;
Where You have lived from all eternity;
Beyond archangels’ unassisted ken; 2300
Beyond archangels’ unaided understanding;
From far above what mortals highest call;
From way up high, far beyond what people consider the highest point;
From elevation’s pinnacle; look down,
From the top; look down,
Through—what? Confounding interval! through all
Through—what? Confusing interval! through all
And more than labouring Fancy can conceive;
And more than hardworking imagination can come up with;
Through radiant ranks of essences unknown;
Through bright groups of unknown substances;
Through hierarchies from hierarchies detach’d
From hierarchies that are detached
Round various banners of Omnipotence,
Round various banners of Power,
With endless change of rapturous duties fired;
With constant changes of exciting responsibilities ignited;
Through wondrous being’s interposing swarms,
Through amazing being's interposing swarms,
All clustering at the call, to dwell in Thee; 2310
All gathering at the call, to reside in You;
Through this wide waste of worlds! this vista vast,
Through this wide wasteland of worlds! this expansive view,
All sanded o’er with suns; suns turn’d to night
All sanded over with suns; suns turned to night
Before thy feeblest beam—Look down—down—down,
Before your weakest ray—Look down—down—down,
On a poor breathing particle in dust,
On a tiny particle of dust that's hard to breathe in,
Or, lower, an immortal in his crimes. 2315
Or, lower, an immortal in his crimes.2315
His crimes forgive! forgive his virtues, too!
His wrongs are forgiven! Forgive his good qualities as well!
Those smaller faults, half converts to the right.
Those smaller faults, partially turned to the right.
Nor let me close these eyes, which never more
Nor let me close these eyes, which will never again
May see the sun (though night’s descending scale
May see the sun (though night’s coming down)
Now weighs up morn), unpitied, and unblest!
Now weighs up the morning, unpitied and unblessed!
In Thy displeasure dwells eternal pain;
In Your anger lives everlasting pain;
Pain, our aversion; pain, which strikes me now;
Pain, something we all dislike; pain, that hits me now;
And, since all pain is terrible to man, 2323
And, since all pain is awful to people,2323
Though transient, terrible; at Thy good hour,
Though fleeting, it's terrible; at Your right moment,
Gently, ah, gently, lay me in my bed,
Gently, oh, gently, put me in my bed,
My clay-cold bed! by nature, now, so near;
My cold, hard bed! By nature, it feels so close now;
By nature, near; still nearer by disease!
By nature, close; even closer through disease!
Till then, be this an emblem of my grave:
Till then, let this be a symbol of my grave:
Let it out-preach the preacher; every night
Let it out—preach like the preacher; every night
That tongue of death! that herald of the tomb!
That tongue of death! That messenger of the grave!
And when (the shelter of Thy wing implored)
And when we ask for the protection of Your wing
My senses, soothed, shall sink in soft repose,
My senses, calmed, will settle into a gentle rest,
Oh, sink this truth still deeper in my soul,
Oh, make this truth sink even deeper into my soul,
Suggested by my pillow, sign’d by fate,
Suggested by my pillow, signed by fate,
First, in Fate’s volume, at the page of man—
First, in Fate’s book, on the page about man—
Man’s sickly soul, though turn’d and toss’d for ever,
Man's troubled soul, though turned and tossed forever,
From side to side, can rest on nought but Thee:
From side to side, I can rely on nothing but You:
Here, in full trust, hereafter, in full joy;
Here, with complete trust, from now on, in total joy;
On Thee, the promised, sure, eternal down 2340
On You, the promised, sure, eternal down2340
Of spirits, toil’d in travel through this vale.
Of spirits, worn out from journeying through this valley.
Nor of that pillow shall my soul despond;
Nor will my soul be discouraged by that pillow;
For—Love almighty! Love almighty! (sing,
For—Love is everything! Love is everything! (sing,
Exult, creation!) Love almighty, reigns!
Rejoice, creation! Love reigns supreme!
That death of Death! that cordial of despair!
That death of Death! that comfort in despair!
And loud Eternity’s triumphant song!
And loud Eternity’s victory song!
“Of whom, no more:—For, O thou Patron-God!
“Of whom, no more:—For, O you Patron-God!
Thou God and mortal! thence more God to man! 2348
Thou God and mortal! then more God to man!2348
Man’s theme eternal! man’s eternal theme!
Man's timeless theme! Man's everlasting theme!
Thou canst not ’scape uninjured from our praise.
You can't escape unscathed from our praise.
Uninjured from our praise can He escape,
Unharmed by our praise can He get away,
Who, disembosom’d from the Father, bows
Who, released from the Father, bows
The heaven of heavens, to kiss the distant earth!
The sky above, to touch the faraway earth!
Breathes out in agonies a sinless soul!
Breathing out in pain is a pure soul!
Against the cross, Death’s iron sceptre breaks!
Against the cross, Death's iron scepter shatters!
From famish’d Ruin plucks her human prey!
From starving destruction snatches her human victims!
Throws wide the gates celestial to his foes!
Throws wide the heavenly gates to his enemies!
Their gratitude, for such a boundless debt,
Their gratitude, for such an immense debt,
Deputes their suffering brothers to receive!
Deputes their suffering brothers to receive!
And, if deep human guilt in payment fails; 2360
And if a deep sense of human guilt doesn't pay back; 2360
As deeper guilt prohibits our despair!
As deeper guilt prevents our despair!
Enjoins it, as our duty, to rejoice!
Enjoins us, as our duty, to rejoice!
And (to close all) omnipotently kind,
And (to close all) all-powerfully kind,
What words are these—and did they come from heaven?
What are these words—and did they come from heaven?
And were they spoke to man? to guilty man?
And were they speaking to a person? To a guilty person?
What are all mysteries to love like this?
What are all the mysteries of love like this?
The songs of angels, all the melodies
The songs of angels, all the melodies
Of choral gods, are wafted in the sound;
Of choral gods, the sound is carried away;
Heal and exhilarate the broken heart; 2370
Heal and uplift the broken heart; 2370
Though plunged, before, in horrors dark as night.
Though previously submerged in horrors as dark as night.
Rich prelibation of consummate joy!
Delicious drink of pure joy!
Nor wait we dissolution to be blest.
Nor do we wait for dissolution to be blessed.
This final effort of the moral Muse,
This ultimate endeavor of the moral Muse,
For all that read; what spirit of support,
For everyone who reads this; what a spirit of support,
What heights of Consolation, crown my song!
What heights of comfort, crown my song!
Then, farewell Night! of darkness, now, no more:
Then, goodbye Night! of darkness, no longer:
Joy breaks, shines, triumphs; ’tis eternal day.
Joy breaks, shines, triumphs; it's eternal day.
Shall that which rises out of nought complain 2380
Shall something that comes from nothing complain
Of a few evils, paid with endless joys? 2381
Of some troubles, rewarded with endless happiness?2381
My soul! henceforth, in sweetest union join
My soul! from now on, let us unite in the sweetest harmony.
The two supports of human happiness,
The two pillars of human happiness,
Which some, erroneous, think can never meet;
Which some mistakenly think can never come together;
True taste of life, and constant thought of death!
True taste of life, and constant awareness of death!
The thought of death, sole victor of its dread!
The thought of death, the only winner of its fear!
Hope, be thy joy; and probity thy skill;
Hope, may your joy be; and honesty your skill;
Thy patron He, whose diadem has dropp’d
Thy patron He, whose crown has fallen
Yon gems of heaven; eternity, thy prize:
Yon gems of heaven; eternity, your prize:
And leave the racers of the world their own, 2390
And let the racers of the world have their own, 2390
Their feather, and their froth, for endless toils:
Their feather and their froth for endless work:
They part with all for that which is not bread;
They give up everything for something that won't satisfy them.
They mortify, they starve, on wealth, fame, power;
They suffer, they deny themselves, all for wealth, fame, and power;
And laugh to scorn the fools that aim at more.
And laugh at the idiots who reach for more.
How must a spirit, late escaped from earth,—
How must a spirit, just freed from earth,—
Suppose Philander’s, Lucia’s, or Narcissa’s,—
Suppose Philander's, Lucia's, or Narcissa's—
The truth of things new-blazing in its eye,
The truth of things shining brightly before us,
Look back, astonish’d, on the ways of men,
Look back, amazed, at the ways of people,
Whose lives’ whole drift is to forget their graves!
Whose whole purpose in life is to forget their graves!
And when our present privilege is past, 2400
And when our current privilege is over,2400
To scourge us with due sense of its abuse,
To criticize us while being fully aware of its misuse,
The same astonishment will seize us all.
The same amazement will grab all of us.
What then must pain us, would preserve us now.
What hurts us now will keep us safe later.
Lorenzo! ’tis not yet too late; Lorenzo!
Lorenzo! It’s not too late yet; Lorenzo!
Seize Wisdom, ere ’tis torment to be wise;
Seize wisdom before it becomes a burden to be wise;
That is, seize Wisdom, ere she seizes thee.
That is, grab Wisdom before she grabs you.
For what, my small philosopher! is hell?
For what, my little philosopher! is hell?
’Tis nothing but full knowledge of the truth,
It’s nothing but complete understanding of the truth,
When Truth, resisted long, is sworn our foe;
When Truth, long resisted, is declared our enemy;
And calls Eternity to do her right. 2410
And asks Eternity to take her side.2410
Thus, darkness aiding intellectual light,
Thus, darkness supports intellectual light,
And sacred silence whispering truths divine,
And holy silence quietly shares divine truths,
And truths divine converting pain to peace,
And divine truths turning pain into peace,
My song the midnight raven has outwing’d,
My song, the midnight raven, has flown away,
And shot, ambitious of unbounded scenes, 2415
And shot, eager for limitless vistas,2415
Beyond the flaming limits of the world,
Beyond the fiery boundaries of the world,
Her gloomy flight. But what avails the flight
Her gloomy flight. But what good is the flight?
Of fancy, when our hearts remain below?
Of fantasy, when our hearts stay down?
Virtue abounds in flatterers, and foes;
Virtue can be found in both flatterers and enemies;
’Tis pride, to praise her; penance, to perform.
It’s pride to praise her; it’s a burden to act.
To more than words, to more than worth of tongue,
To more than words, to more than what can be expressed through speech,
Lorenzo! rise, at this auspicious hour;
Lorenzo! Get up, it’s a great time to start the day;
An hour, when Heaven’s most intimate with man;
An hour when Heaven is closest to man;
When, like a fallen star, the ray divine
When, like a fallen star, the divine light
Glides swift into the bosom of the just; 2425
Glides quickly into the embrace of the righteous;2425
And just are all, determined to reclaim;
And just like everyone else, we are all determined to reclaim;
Which sets that title high within thy reach.
Which places that title well within your reach.
Awake, then; thy Philander calls: awake!
Awake, then; your Philander is calling you: wake up!
Thou, who shalt wake, when the creation sleeps;
You, who will wake when creation sleeps;
When, like a taper, all these suns expire;
When all these suns fade away like a candle;
Plucking the pillars that support the world,
Plucking the pillars that support the world,
In Nature’s ample ruins lies entomb’d;
In nature's vast ruins lies buried;
And Midnight, universal Midnight! reigns. 2434
And Midnight, universal Midnight! rules. 2434
‘Never met, or never parted,
"Never met or never separated,"
We had ne’er been broken-hearted.’
We had never been heartbroken.
‘O Lady, we receive but what we give,’ &c.
‘O Lady, we only receive what we give,’ &c.
‘Like a flag burning bright when the vessel is gone.’
‘Like a flag shining brightly when the ship has left.’
THE END.
THE END.
BALLANTYNE, PRINTER, EDINBURGH.
BALLANTYNE, PRINTING, EDINBURGH.
LIBRARY EDITION OF THE BRITISH POETS.
ISSUE FOR THE SECOND YEAR.
The Publisher begs to announce that the Issue for the Second Year will consist of the Poetical Works of
The Publisher is excited to announce that the Issue for the Second Year will include the Poetical Works of
BUTLER, 2 vols.; COWPER, 3 vols.; BLAIR, BRUCE, LOGAN, BEATTIE, and FALCONER, 1 vol.
BUTLER, 2 volumes; COWPER, 3 volumes; BLAIR, BRUCE, LOGAN, BEATTIE, and FALCONER, 1 volume.
These will immediately be followed by the publication of the Poetical Works of
These will immediately be followed by the publication of the Poetical Works of
DRYDEN, POPE, BURNS, &c. &c.
Dryden, Pope, Burns, etc.
The Publisher has much gratification in referring to the reception which this Series of the British Poets has met with, and he begs to assure the Subscribers that every exertion will be made to insure this Edition being distinguished by the specific features proposed, namely, “accuracy in the text, elegance of appearance, and extreme cheapness.” The arrangements which now exist for collating the text, and securing accuracy in this important feature, are such as warrant the assertion that this Edition will be found to stand a favourable comparison with any hitherto published, or any that may hereafter be issued.
The Publisher is very pleased to mention the positive response this Series of the British Poets has received, and he wants to assure Subscribers that every effort will be made to make this Edition stand out with specific features: “accuracy in the text, elegant design, and affordability.” The current arrangements for checking the text and ensuring accuracy in this crucial aspect make it reasonable to say that this Edition will compare favorably with any that have been published before or will be released in the future.
The Publisher and Editor have peculiar pleasure in acknowledging the ready and hearty approval of their efforts by the press. It is seldom that any undertaking has been so warmly received, or the manner in which it has been executed so generally approved. This appreciation of their purpose will stimulate them to still greater exertions in the prosecution of their design—to produce this portion of the standard literature of our country in a style more befitting the merits of the authors than any hitherto attempted, and to secure for this series that it shall be worthy of recognition as
The Publisher and Editor are pleased to note the enthusiastic support from the press for their efforts. It's rare for any project to be so warmly embraced, or for its execution to be so broadly approved. This acknowledgment of their goal will motivate them to work even harder on their mission—to create this part of the standard literature of our country in a way that truly reflects the talents of the authors, surpassing all previous attempts, and to ensure this series is deserving of recognition as
THE LIBRARY EDITION OF THE BRITISH POETS.
THE LIBRARY EDITION OF THE BRITISH POETS.
Edinburgh, November 1853.
Edinburgh, November 1853.
LIBRARY EDITION OF THE BRITISH POETS,
In Demy 8vo, Pica Type, Extra Cloth Boards.
In Demy 8vo, Pica Type, Extra Cloth Boards.
EDITED BY REV. G. GILFILLAN.
Edited by Rev. G. Gilfillan.
Now ready, Vols. 1 & 2. Milton’s Poetical Works.
Now available, Vols. 1 & 2. Milton’s Poetical Works.
” ” 3. Thomson’s Poetical Works.
3. Thomson's Poetry.
” ” 4. Herbert’s Poetical Works.
” ” 4. Herbert's Poetry.
” ” 5. Young’s Night Thoughts.
” ” 5. Young's Night Thoughts.
And on 1st Feb. 1854, the Poetical Works of Goldsmith, Collins, and T. Warton.
And on February 1, 1854, the Collected Poems of Goldsmith, Collins, and T. Warton.
FORMING THE FIRST YEARLY ISSUE TO SUBSCRIBERS OF SIX VOLUMES FOR ONE GUINEA.
CREATING THE FIRST ANNUAL ISSUE FOR SUBSCRIBERS OF SIX VOLUMES FOR ONE GUINEA.
ISSUE FOR THE SECOND YEAR—
THE POETICAL WORKS OF
BUTLER—COWPER—BLAIR—BRUCE—LOGAN—BEATTIE, and FALCONER.
SECOND YEAR ISSUE—
The Poems of
BUTLER—COWPER—BLAIR—BRUCE—LOGAN—BEATTIE, and FALCONER.
Prospectuses containing full details of the Scheme may be obtained from most Booksellers, or from the Publisher, on application. Non-Subscribers can obtain the Volumes separately at 4s. 6d. each.
Prospectuses with complete details of the Scheme can be obtained from most booksellers or from the publisher upon request. Non-subscribers can purchase the volumes individually for 4s. 6d. each.
Subscribers’ Names received by all Booksellers for the Yearly Issue of Six Vols. for £1, 1s.
Subscriber Names collected by all Booksellers for the Annual Release of Six Volumes for £1, 1s.
The Publisher has pleasure in submitting the following Extracts from recent Notices which have appeared of the Vols. already issued:—
The Publisher is pleased to share the following excerpts from recent reviews of the volumes that have already been released:—
Literary Gazette.
Literary Magazine.
Coleridge said, that for a man fully to appreciate George Herbert, he must be “an affectionate and dutiful son of the Church, and from habit, conviction, and a constitutional predisposition to ceremoniousness in piety as in manners, find her forms and ordinances aids of religion, not sources of formality.” Mr Gilfillan has none of the qualifications here described, yet never was the character of Herbert more highly appreciated, nor his poetry more unreservedly admired, than by this Presbyterian editor. The editorial work is done with true Christian liberality, and with the sympathy of a man of genius. The present volume forms one of the new series of the “English Poetical Classics,” published by Mr Nichol of Edinburgh. In typography and appearance they are very superior, and they are issued at a price of unusual cheapness. The series will form a beautiful and valuable library edition of the English Classic Poets.
Coleridge stated that to truly appreciate George Herbert, one must be “an affectionate and dutiful son of the Church, and due to habit, conviction, and a natural tendency toward ceremoniousness in both faith and behavior, see her forms and ordinances as aids to religion, not just sources of formality.” Mr. Gilfillan lacks these qualifications, yet never has Herbert's character been more highly valued, nor his poetry more openly admired, than by this Presbyterian editor. The editorial work is done with genuine Christian generosity and the understanding of a creative mind. This volume is part of the new series of the “English Poetical Classics,” published by Mr. Nichol of Edinburgh. In terms of typography and appearance, they are very impressive, and they are sold at a remarkably low price. The series will create a beautiful and valuable library edition of the English Classic Poets.
Scottish Review.
Scottish Review.
In this age of puffs and puffing, it is really pleasing to find pretensions at first somewhat startling, though modestly enough proclaimed, so well sustained. Six such volumes for twenty-one shillings! We are not surprised that they are said to be “offered at about one-third of the usual selling price.” Independently altogether of the original matter furnished by Mr Gilfillan, the poetical works of John Milton, produced in such a style, are certainly worthy of a place in the best libraries. We know of no issue from the press which, as to paper, type, and general getting up, commends itself to public favour at so small a charge.
In this age of hype and noise, it's refreshing to encounter claims that are initially a bit surprising, yet subtly presented, and well-supported. Six volumes for twenty-one shillings! It’s no wonder they’re said to be “offered at about one-third of the usual selling price.” Aside from the original content provided by Mr. Gilfillan, the poetic works of John Milton, produced in such a manner, definitely deserve a spot in the best libraries. We don’t know of any printed edition that, in terms of paper, type, and overall quality, appeals to the public at such a low price.
Eclectic Review.
Eclectic Review.
The proposal issued by Mr Nichol is remarkable even in this age of cheap literature, and will go far to supply what has been long needed,—an accurate, elegant, and cheap edition of our Poets. Such a guinea’s worth was never issued before, and we are much mistaken if the series does not obtain a large circulation. The volumes are issued in handsome style, and every care will be taken to secure the accuracy of the editions. Mr Gilfillan’s temperament [358] involves some of the choicest elements of poetic impressions, while his critical canons are for the most part sound and trustworthy.
The proposal put forward by Mr. Nichol is impressive, even in this time of inexpensive literature, and it does a lot to fill a long-standing gap—an accurate, classy, and affordable edition of our poets. We've never seen such a value for a guinea before, and we’re pretty sure this series will gain a wide readership. The volumes are produced beautifully, and every effort will be made to ensure the accuracy of the editions. Mr. Gilfillan’s temperament includes some of the best aspects of poetic insights, and his critical standards are mostly solid and reliable.
Perthshire Courier.
Perthshire Courier.
It is almost unnecessary for us to say more than what is now universally admitted, that this is the best and cheapest edition of the British Poets ever offered to the public. Setting aside their acknowledged and standard elegance, they are the cheapest books we have ever seen, and their being indispensable to the literary man, as well as the educated gentleman or well-read artisan, makes them doubly so.
It’s almost unnecessary to say more than what is now widely accepted: this is the best and most affordable edition of the British Poets ever offered to the public. Aside from their well-known and classic elegance, these are the most affordable books we have ever encountered, and their essential value to literary professionals, as well as educated individuals or well-read craftspeople, makes them even more important.
Tait’s Magazine.
Tait's Magazine.
These volumes form part of a new series of the “British Poets,” published by Mr Nichol, in the form of substantial and elegant library volumes, at a price less than one third of that which the public have been accustomed to pay for tomes of such goodly parts and quality. Paper, print, and binding, are all excellent, the type large and clear.... The above extracts, more than anything we could say, will commend these volumes, and the series of which they form a part, to the good opinion of the reader. As a cheap and excellent library edition of the “British Poets,” they will prove acceptable to a very numerous class; and under the management of their present able editor, we cannot harbour a doubt of their success with the public.
These volumes are part of a new series of the "British Poets," published by Mr. Nichol, in substantial and stylish library editions, at a price that's less than a third of what the public typically pays for books of this quality and size. The paper, print, and binding are all top-notch, with large, clear type. The excerpts above, more than anything we could say, will recommend these volumes, along with the series they belong to, to readers. As an affordable and high-quality library edition of the "British Poets," they will appeal to a wide audience; and with the skillful management of their current editor, we have no doubt they'll be successful with the public.
The Monitor.
The News.
When it was proposed that, at so low a price as a subscription of a guinea in the year, six volumes, in a superior style of execution, would be issued, we could not but admire the enterprise of the publisher, and heartily wish all success to the undertaking.
When it was suggested that, for just a guinea a year, six volumes would be released in such a high-quality style, we couldn't help but admire the publisher's ambition and sincerely wish them all the best with the project.
These volumes, the first in the series, fully justified our fondest anticipations, and give large promise that this admirable publication will secure, as it certainly deserves, extensive patronage. They are issued in a very attractive style—in a large bold type, paper of the best quality, and in neat and substantial binding. The editorial part of the undertaking is carefully and ably executed. Indeed, we know no living person who is better qualified to edit a uniform edition of the British Poets than the Rev. George Gilfillan. We tender to both the publisher and editor of this beautiful superior edition of the British Poets our grateful acknowledgments for commencing so important and valuable an undertaking.
These volumes, the first in the series, completely lived up to our highest expectations and show great promise that this excellent publication will receive the widespread support it truly deserves. They are presented in a very appealing style—with large, bold text, high-quality paper, and neat, sturdy binding. The editorial work is done with care and skill. In fact, we know no one more qualified than the Rev. George Gilfillan to edit a uniform edition of the British Poets. We sincerely thank both the publisher and editor of this beautiful, high-quality edition of the British Poets for starting such an important and valuable project.
Clydesdale Journal.
Clydesdale Journal.
This series has now reached the fourth volume, and is fully sustaining the very favourable opinion expressed by the press in all parts of the country. Never was a work issued combining elegance and cheapness in so remarkable a degree.
This series has now reached its fourth volume and continues to uphold the highly positive reviews from the media across the nation. Never has a work been released that combines elegance and affordability in such an impressive way.
Bell’s Weekly Messenger.
Bell's Weekly News.
This volume is an additional proof of the excellency of the selection, the ability of the gifted editor, and the elegance of the publication.
This book is further proof of the quality of the selection, the skill of the talented editor, and the sophistication of the publication.
Cumberland Pacquet.
Cumberland Packet.
This is the fourth volume of the library edition of the British Poets, projected by Mr Nichol, the enterprising Edinburgh publisher, one or two of the [359] former volumes of which we have already had the pleasure of noticing. The design, and the style in which it was proposed to carry it out, as indicated by the first volume of the series, elicited the expression of our special admiration several months ago, and we have pleasure in stating that the volume now before us is in every respect a worthy successor to those which have preceded it. We may observe that the critical dissertation prefixed, from the pen of Mr Gilfillan, is worth the price of the entire volume.
This is the fourth volume of the library edition of the British Poets, created by Mr. Nichol, the ambitious Edinburgh publisher. We have already enjoyed reviewing one or two of the earlier volumes. The purpose of the series and the way it was planned to be executed, as shown in the first volume, received our special admiration several months ago. We're pleased to say that the volume we have now is a worthy successor to its predecessors. It's worth noting that the critical essay at the beginning, written by Mr. Gilfillan, is worth the cost of the whole volume.
Aberdeen Journal.
Aberdeen Journal.
... A few words respecting the series of publications of which this volume forms a part. They are issued, as our readers are aware, under the very efficient superintendence of George Gilfillan; and we cannot speak of them but in terms of the warmest approval; for, in point of form and elegance, and correctness of typography, they are on a level with the high-priced editions; and in point of price, they are on a level with the most ordinary publications of popular works that have been got up for the popular market. The enterprise is indeed a noble one, and we wish it all manner of success.
... A few words about the series of publications that this volume is a part of. As our readers know, they are released under the excellent guidance of George Gilfillan; and we can only speak of them with the utmost approval. In terms of design, elegance, and typographical accuracy, they match the high-priced editions, yet in terms of cost, they are comparable to the most common publications aimed at the general market. This venture is truly commendable, and we wish it every success.
Dumfriesshire and Galloway Herald.
Dumfriesshire and Galloway Herald.
This is the fourth volume of the new Edinburgh edition of the Poets—an edition, we must say, alike honourable to the publisher and editor. Mr Nichol’s undertaking is a noble one. We wish him all success in it.
This is the fourth volume of the new Edinburgh edition of the Poets—an edition that is commendable for both the publisher and the editor. Mr. Nichol’s effort is commendable. We wish him great success with it.
Glasgow Citizen.
Citizen of Glasgow.
The edition before us, with its ample page and masculine type—very suitable for feeble eyes—forms part of Nichol’s fine and wonderfully cheap issue of the British Poets, under the able editorship of Mr Gilfillan. Four volumes are now out, comprising the works of Milton, Thomson, and Herbert.
The edition we have here, with its large pages and bold type—great for weak eyesight—is part of Nichol’s excellent and affordably priced collection of the British Poets, edited by Mr. Gilfillan. Four volumes are now available, featuring the works of Milton, Thomson, and Herbert.
Newcastle Chronicle.
Newcastle Chronicle.
The paper and printing of this volume, as of the others, are, however, beyond all praise, when compared with other “people’s editions.”
The paper and printing of this volume, like the others, are truly outstanding compared to other "people's editions."
Montrose, Arbroath, and Brechin Review.
Montrose, Arbroath, and Brechin News.
The editorial part is admirably performed by Mr Gilfillan; the getting up quite the ne plus ultra of elegance and correctness; and the price (six volumes for a guinea) is perhaps the very greatest marvel of this marvellous age of cheap publications.
The editorial work is excellently done by Mr. Gilfillan; the presentation is the epitome of elegance and accuracy; and the price (six volumes for a guinea) is probably the most impressive feat of this amazing era of affordable publications.
Commonwealth.
Commonwealth.
Regarded as specimens of typography—as books, in short, in the mere sense of what is mechanical, they are among the most perfect we have seen. This new edition of the British Poets is an undertaking which is worthy of commendation and encouragement, even apart from the considerations to which we have alluded.
Considered examples of typography—essentially books in the basic mechanical sense—they are among the best we've encountered. This new edition of the British Poets is an effort that deserves praise and support, even aside from the points we’ve mentioned.
The National Miscellany.
The National Miscellany.
It is a bold speculation on the part of a publisher to offer six handsome and well printed volumes for a guinea.... The printing, binding, and general appearance is far superior to what we could have at all expected for the price; and the series being issued under the superintendence of a careful editor, entirely fulfils the import of the title, a Library Edition. The works which have already appeared, are those of Milton, Herbert, and Thomson.
It’s a daring move for a publisher to produce six attractive and well-printed volumes for a guinea. The printing, binding, and overall look are way better than we could have hoped for at this price. Plus, the series is overseen by a meticulous editor, fully delivering on the promise of the title, a Library Edition. The works that have been released so far are those of Milton, Herbert, and Thomson.
Transcriber’s Notes to this Electronic Edition
- Several palpable typos in the original were silently corrected, after consulting other printed editions.
- In the Distributed Proofreaders community, it is customary to flag any aspect of the text that seems wrong, for the final editor to double-check. It’s also customary for later proofreaders to provide their own analysis. On this project, those proofers’ notes—as explanations of why the printed text was correct—so often proved enlightening as to its meaning, that the postprocessor retained them as footnotes. They are distinguished from the original editor’s notes by a suffix “—ee” (“electronic edition”).
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