The Idolatress, and Other Poems (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 Excerpt: ...through life's issues; and begin To feel how vain the weary waste of thought; How looking back on gone-by things is idle. Str. More truth was never spoken; but drink on, Improve the inspiring lesson. King. What was that Bright liquor which methinks I saw thee drop, Like glittering sparks of sunshine, in the cup? Str. Wisely divined true sunshine, as thou sayest, Drawn from the fount above of light and life By thrice great Hermes, our immortal master: Its end is purer life and deeper knowledge. King. Nay, rather mirth, and gay abandonment Of every sober care--Str. Sure end of wisdom All earth-born care, O King, is vanity, --The toil of thought, which leads to no result, But wastes the present, and leaves gloom behind. The present moment is the wise man's life; The future is not, and the past is gone. Time is a running line of atom instants--Some bright, some black, some glad or sorrowful. The worst is by the wise man soon let pass. The happiest most enjoyed--the end unheeding; Which Fate or Fortune in good time must settle. Fools speculate on far contingencies, Which rarely happen until life run by. King. Thy meditations have a pleasing touch Of that mock-wise loquacity which wine Is aptest to inspire. It doth not need. One half thy prosing rhetoric to prove The wit by wine inspired. I would prefer A little folly from thy tuneful imps To speak its inspiration. They can best Dress in light song the bubbles of the brain, Which otherwise dance madly. Str. They, 0 King, Are but the creatures of thy sovereign will, And present at thy word. (Stranger waves his arm, and the voices fill the room.) Voices. Now mirth is awaking, And labour is still, Soft moonlight is breaking O'er forest and hill; And beauty walks forth in the planet's soft light, For the dawn of you...