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PAPERS ON LITERATURE AND ART.
| I now seek the later, sustained by divine love, |
| Through which, conquering at once the scoffs of a gloomy destiny, |
| I leave the barbarous company of a frantic age, |
| Breathing out for the last time the infernal air—breathing in the supernal, |
| I enfold myself wholly in these sacred flames, |
| And, sustained by them, ascend the highest dome, |
| And far and wide survey the wonders of a new sphere, |
| And see well-known spirits, now beautiful in their proper light, |
| And the choirs of the higher powers, and blessed beings |
| With whom I desire to mingle fires and sacred bonds— |
| Passing from joy to joy the heaven of all, |
| What has been given to ourselves, or sanctioned by a common vow. |
| God, in the meantime, accumulating his rewards, |
| May at once increase our honour and illustrate his own love. |
| Nor heavens shall be wanting to heavens, nor numberless ages to life, |
| Nor new joys to these ages, such as an |
| Eternity shall not diminish, nor the infinite bring to an end. |
| Nor, more than all, shall the fair favour of the Divine be wanting— |
| Constantly increasing these joys, varied in admirable modes, |
| And making each state yield only to one yet happier, |
| And what we never even knew how to hope, is given to us— |
| Nor is aught kept back except what only the One can conceive, |
| And what in their own nature are by far most perfect |
| In us, at least, appear embellished, |
| Since the sleeping minds which heaven prepares from the beginning— |
| Only our labor and industry can vivify, |
| Polishing them with learning and with morals, |
| That they may return all fair, bearing back a dowry to heaven, |
| When, by use of our free will, we put to rout those ills |
| Which heaven has neither dispelled, nor will hereafter dispel. |
| Thus through us is magnified the glory of God, |
| And our glory, too, shall resound throughout the heavens, |
| And what are the due rewards of virtue, finally |
| Must render the Father himself more happy than his wont. |
| Whence still more ample grace shall be showered upon us, |
| Each and all yielding to our prayer, |
| For, if liberty be dear, it is permitted |
| To roam through the loveliest regions obvious to innumerable heavens, |
| And gather, as we pass, the delights of each, |
