Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1827.pdf/17

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Lines suggested by a View of the Sculpture designed by Mr. Lough, and described in last week's Literary Gazette.

of earth, and light from heaven, Young Genius! but for thee, And the wild wonders to thee given, How base our earth would be!

Bright halls, where meet the vain and cold, The idle and the gay, With feelings cast in one set mould— Do they redeem our clay?

The mart, where for gold's sordid sake The trader sears his heart— Is there aught of the things that make Our nature's nobler part?

Or in the hind who duly plies Each day's accustomed beat; As very dust as that which lies Unconscious at his feet?

Or in those higher ranks that know No world of inward thought, As vapid as their outward show,— Vanity vainly bought?

And yet this world is animate With the fine spirit sent, Vivid as Hope, and strong as Fate,— Mind's purer element.

Like mountains with one golden vein Of rich ore running through; Like that ore asking but the pain Of being brought to view.

Such is mankind, and such the store That dwells within his mind; Or rather, some there are whose ore Is wealth for half their kind.