Page:Lewesdon Hill, a poem (IA lewesdonhillpoem00crowiala).pdf/20
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
10
LEWESDON HILL.
Eludes the sense, and fools our honest faith,
Vanishing in a lie. If this be so,
Were it not better to be born a beast,
Only to feel what is, and thus to scape
The aguish fear that shakes the afflicted breast
With sore anxiety of what shall be;
And all for nought? Since our most wicked act
Is not our sin, and our religious awe
Delusion; if that strong Necessity
Chains up our will. But that the mind is free,
The Mind herself, best judge of her own state,
Is feelingly convinced; nor to be moved
By subtle words, that may perplex the head,
But ne'er persuade the heart. Vain Argument,
That with false weapons of Philosophy
Fights against Hope, and Sense, and Nature's strength!
Vanishing in a lie. If this be so,
Were it not better to be born a beast,
Only to feel what is, and thus to scape
The aguish fear that shakes the afflicted breast
With sore anxiety of what shall be;
And all for nought? Since our most wicked act
Is not our sin, and our religious awe
Delusion; if that strong Necessity
Chains up our will. But that the mind is free,
The Mind herself, best judge of her own state,
Is feelingly convinced; nor to be moved
By subtle words, that may perplex the head,
But ne'er persuade the heart. Vain Argument,
That with false weapons of Philosophy
Fights against Hope, and Sense, and Nature's strength!
See how the Sun, here clouded, afar off
Pours down the golden radiance of his light
Upon the enridged sea; where the black ship
Sails on the phosphor-seeming waves. So fair,
But falsely-flattering, was yon surface calm,
Pours down the golden radiance of his light
Upon the enridged sea; where the black ship
Sails on the phosphor-seeming waves. So fair,
But falsely-flattering, was yon surface calm,
When