The Complete Works of Adelaide A. Procter With an Introduction by Charles Dickens |
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A FALSE GENIUS. |
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 | The Complete Works of Adelaide A. Procter |  |
A FALSE GENIUS.
I see a Spirit by thy side,
Purple-winged and eagle-eyed,
Looking like a Heavenly guide.
Purple-winged and eagle-eyed,
Looking like a Heavenly guide.
Though he seem so bright and fair,
Ere thou trust his proffered care.
Pause a little, and beware!
Ere thou trust his proffered care.
Pause a little, and beware!
If he bid thee dwell apart,
Tending some ideal smart
In a sick and coward heart;
Tending some ideal smart
In a sick and coward heart;
In self-worship wrapped alone,
Dreaming thy poor griefs are grown
More than other men have known;
Dreaming thy poor griefs are grown
More than other men have known;
Dwelling in some cloudy sphere,
Though God's work is waiting here,
And God deigneth to be near;
Though God's work is waiting here,
And God deigneth to be near;
If his torch's crimson glare
Show thee evil everywhere,
Tainting all the wholesome air;
Show thee evil everywhere,
Tainting all the wholesome air;
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While with strange distorted choice,
Still disdaining to rejoice,
Thou wilt hear a wailing voice;
Still disdaining to rejoice,
Thou wilt hear a wailing voice;
If a simple, humble heart,
Seem to thee a meaner part,
Than thy noblest aim and art;
Seem to thee a meaner part,
Than thy noblest aim and art;
If he bid thee bow before
Crownèd Mind and nothing more,
The great idol men adore;
Crownèd Mind and nothing more,
The great idol men adore;
And with starry veil enfold
Sin, the trailing serpent old,
Till his scales shine out like gold;
Sin, the trailing serpent old,
Till his scales shine out like gold;
Though his words seem true and wise.
Soul, I say to thee—Arise,
He is a Demon in disguise!
Soul, I say to thee—Arise,
He is a Demon in disguise!
| The Complete Works of Adelaide A. Procter | |