Poems on several occasions | ||
188
TO Miss G---,
From BRIGHTHELMSTONE.
Come, Stella, let us climb the heights
Where purer spirits flow,
And upward point our mental flights,
And mock the scenes below.
Where purer spirits flow,
And upward point our mental flights,
And mock the scenes below.
And turn no more the giddy rounds
Of Pleasure's wanton chace,
But range beyond material bounds,
Eternity, and space!—
Of Pleasure's wanton chace,
But range beyond material bounds,
Eternity, and space!—
189
Come, read in ocean's ample page,
Explain the cause that guides,
That bridles now, and now to rage
Precipitates the tides.
Explain the cause that guides,
That bridles now, and now to rage
Precipitates the tides.
In glory see the planets roll,
Their laws, their measure, scan,
Nor there confin'd, explore the soul,
And liberty, and man!
Their laws, their measure, scan,
Nor there confin'd, explore the soul,
And liberty, and man!
On soaring pinions let us shoot,
Like him, the bird of Jove!
—“What waste,” she cries, “in such pursuit,
“An age of life and love!
Like him, the bird of Jove!
—“What waste,” she cries, “in such pursuit,
“An age of life and love!
“With eagle flight and eagle view
“Let Newton sail the sky!
“But what am I? or what are you,
“Philosopher?—a fly:
“Let Newton sail the sky!
“But what am I? or what are you,
“Philosopher?—a fly:
190
“Vain insect! now aloft he springs
“To drink the liquid light,
“And quenches now his flagging wings
“In angry seas and night.
“To drink the liquid light,
“And quenches now his flagging wings
“In angry seas and night.
“Ah fool! to quit his reptile state
“Amid fresh dews and flowers!
“Be his the justly purchas'd fate,
“The sober lesson ours.
“Amid fresh dews and flowers!
“Be his the justly purchas'd fate,
“The sober lesson ours.
“From clouds descending, let us try
“What humbler regions give!
“Let others soar to fall and die!
“'Tis ours to creep, and live.”
“What humbler regions give!
“Let others soar to fall and die!
“'Tis ours to creep, and live.”
Poems on several occasions | ||