Conscious how dim the dawn of truth appears270
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,275
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 blends280
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[1] of himself,285
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 forsake290
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:
- ↑ The inexpressive semblance, &c.] This similitude is the foundation of almost all the ornaments of poetic diction.
