Page:Language of the Eye.djvu/92

74 We are well pleased to be able to present the testimony of the poets in favour of our views respecting the eye. The poets! these ethereal beings, though unseen, still wave their tridents o'er the moral world, rousing the passions and affections to exquisite delights. Sir William Temple says, let no one avow a disregard for poetry or music, lest his principles and temper may be called into question. Goldsmith says—

Coleridge says—

Tighe says—

Jean Paul says—

Our object for making liberal quotations from this treasury is, to secure the aid of the poets in sustaining the principles we have and shall enunciate in these pages. These spirits are everywhere, although mostly to be met in quiet sequestered paths; yet in midst of war and bloody scenes, there mused in long reveries at Missoloughi; yes, there fell a spirit as sinks the star of day beneath its watery bed of western waves, the noble of noble birth, ennobling nobility itself—Byron. This child of song and love, has left many evidences of his appreciation of the eye, as indicative of character, beauty, and excellence. Speaking of Donna Julia, he declares that pride, anger, and love were detected in her eyes! he declares:—

Her eye (I am very fond of handsome eyes)

Was large and dark, suppressing half its fire,

Until she spoke; then thro' its soft disguise,

Flashed an expression, more of pride than ire,

And love than either; and there would arise

A something in them, which was not desire,