Madmoments: or First Verseattempts By a Bornnatural. Addressed to the Lightheaded of Society at Large, by Henry Ellison |
 | I. |
 | II. |
|
|
 | Madmoments: or First Verseattempts |  |
ON MINGLING WITH LOW NATURES.
What can the Contact with vile Natures doTo disennoble one that is divine?
Some Freshness at the Surface it may tine,
The frank Reliance, the Belief, which drew
From its own Nobleness its sublime View
Of Life: awhile into the inner Shrine,
To purer Worship, loftier Design,
The Spirit may retire, to renew
Its Purpose, and to gather Energy,
But for this, its first Disappointment, by
The Oracle consoled, returns again
To Life, and works with tenfold Industry
The Good and Godlike for their own Sakes! for
True Gold, tho' rubbed, remains without a Flaw,
Gold in all Shapes and Uses 'neath the Sky:
But the mere surfacegilded can retain
Its Lustre only while not tested: when
By base Materials rubbed, it changes, or
By Contact grows like them insensibly!
| Madmoments: or First Verseattempts | |