American poetry -- 19th century; Spiritualism -- Poetry
Among these spiritual poems will be found two purporting to come from
Shakspeare. This influence seemed to overwhelm and crush me. I was
afraid, and shrank from it. Only those two poems were given, and then
the attempt was not repeated. I do not think that the poems in
themselves come up to the productions of his master mind. They are only
intimations of what might have been, if he had had a stronger and more
effectual instrument upon which to pour his inspirations. I have no
doubt that time will yet furnish one upon whom his mantle will fall; but
I can only say that his power was mightier than I could bear. As I have
regarded him spiritually, he seems to be a majestic intellect, but one
that overawes rather than attracts me; and my conclusion has been, that
while in the flesh, although he was of himself a mighty mind, yet still
he spake wiser than he knew, being moved upon by those superior powers
who choose men for their mouthpieces, and oblige them to speak startling
words into the dull ear of the times. As all Nature is a manifestation
of Deity, so all Humanity is a manifestation of mind,--differing,
however, in degrees of development,--and one body serves as an
instrument to effect the purposes of many minds. This is illustrated in
the pursuits and employments of ordinary life, and has a far deeper
significance when taken in connection with the invisible world.
The influence of Burns was pleasant, easy, and exhilarating, and left me
in a cheerful mood. As a spirit, he seemed to be genial and kindly, with
a clear perception and earnest love of simple truth, and at the same
time a good-natured contempt for all shams, mere forms, and solemn
mockeries. This was the way in which he impressed me, and I felt much
more benefited than burdened by his presence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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