The Excursion: A Poem

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E. Moxon, 1847 - 374 pages
 

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Page xiii - To noble raptures ; while my voice proclaims How exquisitely the individual Mind (And the progressive powers perhaps no less Of the whole species) to the external World Is fitted :— and how exquisitely, too — Theme this but little heard of among men — The external World is fitted to the Mind ; And the creation (by no lower name Can it be called) which they with blended might Accomplish : — this is our high argument.
Page 115 - One adequate support For the calamities of mortal life Exists — one only — an assured belief That the procession of our fate, howe'er Sad or disturbed, is ordered by a Being Of infinite benevolence and power, Whose everlasting purposes embrace All accidents, converting them to good.
Page 102 - Turned inward, to examine of what stuff Time's fetters are composed ; and life was put To inquisition long and profitless! By pain of heart now checked — and now impelled — The intellectual power, through words and things, Went sounding on, a dim and perilous way...
Page 70 - The appearance, instantaneously disclosed, Was of a mighty city — boldly say A wilderness of building, sinking far And self-withdrawn into a wondrous depth, Far sinking into splendor — without end ! Fabric it seemed of diamond and of gold, With alabaster domes, and silver spires, And blazing terrace upon terrace, high Uplifted ; here, serene pavilions bright, In avenues disposed ; there, towers begirt With...
Page 37 - My Friend ! enough to sorrow you have given, The purposes of wisdom ask no more ; Be wise and cheerful ; and no longer read The forms of things with an unworthy eye. She sleeps in the calm earth, and peace is here.
Page xii - Not Chaos, not The darkest pit of lowest Erebus, Nor aught of blinder vacancy, scooped out By help of dreams — can breed such fear and awe As fall upon us often when we look Into our Minds, into the Mind of Man — My haunt, and the main region of my song.
Page xvi - Where, on a small hereditary farm, An unproductive slip of rugged ground, His Parents, with their numerous offspring, dwelt ; A virtuous household, though exceeding poor...
Page 205 - Whose steps are equity, whose seat is law. — Hail to the State of England ! And conjoin With this a salutation as devout, Made to the spiritual Fabric of her Church ; Founded in truth ; by blood of Martyrdom Cemented; by the hands of Wisdom reared In beauty of Holiness, with ordered pomp, Decent, and unreproved.
Page 11 - All things, responsive to the writing, there Breathed immortality, revolving life, And greatness still revolving ; infinite : There littleness was not ; the least of things Seemed infinite ; and there his spirit shaped Her prospects, nor did he believe, — he saw.
Page 133 - How divine, The liberty, for frail, for mortal, man To roam at large among unpeopled glens And mountainous retirements, only trod By devious footsteps ; regions consecrate To oldest time ! and, reckless of the storm That keeps the raven quiet in h*er nest, Be as a presence or a motion — one Among the many there...

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