Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

THERE's not a spring,

Or leaf, but hath his morning hymn,
Each bush and oak doth know I AM.

Canst thou not sing?

O leave thy care and follies! go this way,
And thou art sure to prosper all the day.

Awake, awake! hark how the wood rings!
Winds whisper, and the busy springs

A concert make.

Awake! awake!

Man is their high priest, and should rise,
To offer up the sacrifice.

I would I were some bird or star,

Fluttering in woods, or lifted far

Above this inn,

And vale of sin !

There either star or bird should be

Shining or singing still to Thee!

HENRY VAUGHAN.

[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors]

PART I.

INTERPRETATION OF NATURE.

CHAPTER I.

The true philosophy of Nature-Religious influence of Nature-Real language and meaning of Nature-Discipline of Mind necessary to understand it—Tintern Abbey-Natural Influences mistaken for Piety.

THE true philosophy of nature is a religious philosophy, that is, a philosophy binding us to God. Nature, rightly studied, must disclose the Creator, but the sights which we see are according to the Spirit that we bring to the investigation. Standing within a Cathedral, and looking through its stained and figured windows toward the light, we behold the forms and colors by the light. Standing outside, and gazing at the same windows, we see nothing but a blurred and indistinct enamelling. Thus the soul, standing within the great Cathedral of God's material world, and looking through it upward to the light, beholds the meaning of its forms and colors; but standing without, and studying nature in detail, not with reference to the light pouring through it from God, but for itself alone, there is

197

To give the charm of novelty to things of every day, and to excite a feeling analogous to the supernatural, by awakening the mind's attention from the lethargy of custom, and directing it to the loveliness and the wonders of the world before us. An inexhaustible treasure, but for which, in consequence of the film of familiarity and selfish solicitude, we have eyes, yet see not, ears that hear not, and hearts that neither feel nor understand.

COLERIDGE, Biographia Literaria.

AFTER One has passed a few hours in this element of revelation, which presents this old world like a new vision all around, one is ashamed of so many hundred walks and days, which have been vacant of observation and reflection.

JOHN FOSTER.

PART I.

INTERPRETATION OF NATURE.

CHAPTER I.

The true philosophy of Nature-Religious influence of Nature-Real language and meaning of Nature-Discipline of Mind necessary to understand it-Tintern Abbey-Natural Influences mistaken for Piety.

THE true philosophy of nature is a religious philosophy, that is, a philosophy binding us to God. Nature, rightly studied, must disclose the Creator, but the sights which we see are according to the Spirit that we bring to the investigation. Standing within a Cathedral, and looking through its stained and figured windows toward the light, we behold the forms and colors by the light. Standing outside, and gazing at the same windows, we see nothing but a blurred and indistinct enamelling. Thus the soul, standing within the great Cathedral of God's material world, and looking through it upward to the light, beholds the meaning of its forms and colors; but standing without, and studying nature in detail, not with reference to the light pouring through it from God, but for itself alone, there is

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »