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Poetical Works of Robert Bridges excluding the eight dramas | ||
Highly then is to be prais'd the resourceful wisdom of our time,
That spunged out the written science and theories of life,
And, laying foundation of its knowledge in physical law,
Gave it preeminence o'er all enquiry, erecting
Superstructive of all, bringing ev'ry research to the object,
Boldly a new science of MAN, from dreamy scholastic
Imprisoning set free, and inveterate divination,
Into the light of truth, to the touch of history and fact.
That spunged out the written science and theories of life,
And, laying foundation of its knowledge in physical law,
Gave it preeminence o'er all enquiry, erecting
Superstructive of all, bringing ev'ry research to the object,
Boldly a new science of MAN, from dreamy scholastic
Imprisoning set free, and inveterate divination,
Into the light of truth, to the touch of history and fact.
Since ‘the proper study of mankind is man’,—nor aforetime
Was the proverb esteem'd as a truism less than it is now,—
'Tis strange that the method lay out of sight unaccomplisht,
And that we, so late to arrive, should first set a value
On the delusive efforts of human babyhood; and so
Witnessing impatiently the rear of their disappearance,
Upgathering the relics and vestiges of primitive man,
Should ratify instinct for science, look to the darkness
For light, find a knowledge where 'twas most groping or unknown:
While civilization's advances mutely regarding
Talk we of old scapegoats, discuss bloodrites, immolations,
Worship of ancestors; explain complexities involved
Of tribal marriages, derivation of early religions,
Priestly taboos, totems, archaic mysteries of trees,
All the devils and dreams abhorr'd of barbarous ages.
Was the proverb esteem'd as a truism less than it is now,—
'Tis strange that the method lay out of sight unaccomplisht,
And that we, so late to arrive, should first set a value
On the delusive efforts of human babyhood; and so
Witnessing impatiently the rear of their disappearance,
Upgathering the relics and vestiges of primitive man,
Should ratify instinct for science, look to the darkness
For light, find a knowledge where 'twas most groping or unknown:
While civilization's advances mutely regarding
Talk we of old scapegoats, discuss bloodrites, immolations,
Worship of ancestors; explain complexities involved
Of tribal marriages, derivation of early religions,
Priestly taboos, totems, archaic mysteries of trees,
All the devils and dreams abhorr'd of barbarous ages.
Poetical Works of Robert Bridges excluding the eight dramas | ||