Page:The Pleasures of Imagination - Akenside (1744).djvu/17

Book I. For creeping toil to climb the hard ascent Of high Parnassus. Nature's kindling breath Must fire the chosen genius; nature's hand Must string his nerves, and imp his eagle-wings Exulting o'er the painful steep to soar High as the summit; there to breathe at large Æthereal air; with bards and sages old, Immortal sons of praise. These flatt'ring scenes To this neglected labour court my song; Yet not unconscious what a doubtful task To paint the finest features of the mind, And to most subtile and mysterious things Give colour, strength, and motion. But the love Of nature and the muses bids explore, Thro' secret paths erewhile untrod by man, The fair poetic region, to detect Untasted springs, to drink inspiring draughts; And shade my temples with unfading flow'rs Cull'd from the laureate vale's profound recess, Where never poet gain'd a wreath before.

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