 | Mansoul or The Riddle of the World |  |
On the large alabaster step,
I watched an hour without, but all for naught:
Came Mansoul and the Council no more forth.
The entáblature I márked and pediment fair adorned,
With inlaid portraitures of Worlds righteous spirits;
And crystal-clear were pillars underset.
Whose chapiters were, of copper-smiths cunning-work;
Gilt leaves, adorned.
I watched an hour without, but all for naught:
Came Mansoul and the Council no more forth.
The entáblature I márked and pediment fair adorned,
With inlaid portraitures of Worlds righteous spirits;
And crystal-clear were pillars underset.
Whose chapiters were, of copper-smiths cunning-work;
Gilt leaves, adorned.
Mine eyes, from that high terrace,
Surveyed Dream-Citys Prospect forth; great Maze,
Of hundred streets beneath, 'twixt clustered roofs;
But soon anéw I felt impelled my steps;
On that high chambered marble colonnade;
Which on the right hand was.
Surveyed Dream-Citys Prospect forth; great Maze,
Of hundred streets beneath, 'twixt clustered roofs;
But soon anéw I felt impelled my steps;
On that high chambered marble colonnade;
Which on the right hand was.
First, I was stayed;
Where men severe of port, Philosophers,
Conférred of Mans estate. A little group,
Next whom I stood, (Hellenes,) entreated thus:
Where men severe of port, Philosophers,
Conférred of Mans estate. A little group,
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. . . Renouncing all, whereof Man hath no need;
Lifted above base ferment of birth-flesh;
Made subject rédeemed human sense thenceforth,
Unto every good intent: might, with souls health,
Man best approach to Wisdoms perfect source.
And the Hinges of the World, with patient steps,
Ascending from things known, take knowledge of.
Lifted above base ferment of birth-flesh;
Made subject rédeemed human sense thenceforth,
Unto every good intent: might, with souls health,
Man best approach to Wisdoms perfect source.
And the Hinges of the World, with patient steps,
Ascending from things known, take knowledge of.
Some there I viewed, which stood, by twos and threes,
Them night, that would be counted of their part.
But little had they wrought of wórthy work.
I looked, and presently those became a masque;
Which púrsued after painted butterflies.
Each then his sovereign Remedy loud professed;
When he had caught a fly, of human ills.
I marvelled, how théy passed the Citys Watch!
Them night, that would be counted of their part.
But little had they wrought of wórthy work.
I looked, and presently those became a masque;
Which púrsued after painted butterflies.
Each then his sovereign Remedy loud professed;
When he had caught a fly, of human ills.
I marvelled, how théy passed the Citys Watch!
Went further forth, I stayed with peace of spirit;
Beneath domed Chamber, on whose azure walls;
Pourtrayed were the night-seasons starry signs.
Wherein, past Reasons reach, may eyes of flesh;
That wheeling Temple, of the Firmament;
Mens thousand ages' dread Astonishment!
Behold! Eternity visible to Mankind:
And Architecture of the Universe;
Governed by immutable Laws, (might we them read!)
Beneath domed Chamber, on whose azure walls;
Pourtrayed were the night-seasons starry signs.
Wherein, past Reasons reach, may eyes of flesh;
That wheeling Temple, of the Firmament;
Mens thousand ages' dread Astonishment!
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And Architecture of the Universe;
Governed by immutable Laws, (might we them read!)
Within, Nights lifelong faithful Watchers sate;
Sons of Urania, ambrosial heavenly Muse.
Great-souled, large-browed, attent; it was their part,
Beholding reverent fróm Earths tiding Round
That sovereign March of Heavens Firmament:
The supreme works to Chronicle, óf the SIRE
Of men and Gods.
Sons of Urania, ambrosial heavenly Muse.
Great-souled, large-browed, attent; it was their part,
Beholding reverent fróm Earths tiding Round
That sovereign March of Heavens Firmament:
The supreme works to Chronicle, óf the SIRE
Of men and Gods.
Whilst World self-shadowed sleeps,
Till tardy day awake; sáve the lone voice,
Of elemental winds, waves, water-brooks:
Gazing, through their perspective tubes, they may pierce;
The amazing Vision of heavens starry coast!
Till tardy day awake; sáve the lone voice,
Of elemental winds, waves, water-brooks:
Gazing, through their perspective tubes, they may pierce;
The amazing Vision of heavens starry coast!
And being their discipline, that alone which doth;
Of mens school-doctrines, stand without debate,
Of inept tongues, which better fed than taught:
They of Times, the everlasting Ordinance,
Predict; and can, in Balances of the Mind,
Poise even Earths Mass; compute celestial paths
And numbers supputate, which exceeding thought;
Can only, in empty ciphers be expressed.
Of mens school-doctrines, stand without debate,
Of inept tongues, which better fed than taught:
They of Times, the everlasting Ordinance,
Predict; and can, in Balances of the Mind,
Poise even Earths Mass; compute celestial paths
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Can only, in empty ciphers be expressed.
| Mansoul or The Riddle of the World | |