Page:The Pleasures of Imagination - Akenside (1744).djvu/98

84 Conscious how dim the dawn of truth appears To thousands; conscious what a scanty pause From labours and from care, the wider lot Of humble life affords for studious thought To scan the maze of nature; therefore stampt The glaring scenes with characters of scorn, As broad, as obvious, to the passing clown, As to the letter'd sage's curious eye.


 * Such are the various aspects of the mind

Some heav'nly genius, whose unclouded thoughts Attain that secret harmony which blends Th' æthereal spirit with its mold of clay; O! teach me to reveal the grateful charm That searchless nature o'er the sense of man Diffuses, to behold, in lifeless things, The inexpressive semblance of himself, Of thought and passion. Mark the sable woods That shade sublime yon mountain's nodding brow; With what religious awe the solemn scene Commands your steps! as if the reverend form Of Minos or of Numa should forsake Th' Elysian seats, and down the imbow'ring glade Move to your pausing eye! behold th' expanse Of yon gay landscape, where the silver clouds Flit o'er the heav'ns before the sprightly breeze: Now