Page:The Pleasures of Imagination - Akenside (1744).djvu/25

Book I. Nor yet arrives in sight of mortal things. Ev'n on the barriers of the world untir'd She meditates th' eternal depth below; Till, half recoiling, down the headlong steep She plunges; soon o'erwhelm'd and swallow'd up In that immense of being. There her hopes Rest at the fated goal. For from the birth Of mortal man, the sov'reign Maker said, That not in humble nor in brief delight, Not in the fading echoes of renown, Pow'rs purple robes, nor pleasure's flow'ry lap, The Soul should find enjoyment: but from these Turning disdainful to an equal good, Thro' all th' ascent of things inlarge her view, Till every bound at length should disappear, And infinite perfection close the scene.


 * Call now to mind what high, capacious pow'rs

Lie folded up in man; how far beyond The praise of mortals, may th' eternal growth Of nature to perfection half divine, Expand the blooming soul? What pity then Should sloth's unkindly fogs depress to earth Her tender blossom; choak the streams of life, And blast her spring! Far otherwise design'd Almighty wisdom; nature's happy cares Th' obedient heart far otherwise incline. Witness the sprightly joy when aught unknown Rh