Madmoments: or First Verseattempts By a Bornnatural. Addressed to the Lightheaded of Society at Large, by Henry Ellison |
 | I. |
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THE ART OF ENJOYMENT. |
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| II. |
 | Madmoments: or First Verseattempts |  |
109
THE ART OF ENJOYMENT.
Whate'er thou wouldst enjoy, enjoy it quite,As perfect in itself— thus will it be,
Even if otherwise, so unto thee;
Thou mak'st it so: 'tis so unto thy Sight,
And that's enough! think not still how it might
Be better with this and with that; keep free
Thy Mind from idle Wishes; these are the
Worst Bane of Happiness: wish what is right,
The Sureattainable; and if thou'rt wise,
Thou wilt have one Wish only, but that one
Will the Fullfilment in itself comprize
Of every other; wish to be alone
Thyself; to be the Soul which in thee lies;
This Good once gained, then thou canst want for none;
For who dwells in thee? God! — then if thou art
That which is in thee, thou must be a Part
Of Him; and where He is what want can rise?
To say, «how pleasant would it be, if I
Had this and that»; this is the Fool's dull Way
Who for the Distant spoils the Sure and Nigh,
Makes vain the beating Heart and open Eye!
Go to 'yon Hound for Wisdom; in the Ray
Of Sunlight, which the Clouds may snatch away
Ere the next Moment, careless doth he lie,
Basking, as if 'twould last eternally!
So in the passing Hour lives the Wise,
It yields enough to fill both Heart and Eye;
And from a full Heart no vain Wishes rise!
| Madmoments: or First Verseattempts | |