The Poetical Works of Thomas Traherne, 1636?-1674, from the original manuscriptsTraherne, Thomas
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The Poetical Works of Thomas Traherne, 1636?-1674, from the original manuscripts
Traherne, Thomas
English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700
That which yet further commendeth this virtue of love unto us
is that it is the only soul of all pleasure and felicity in all
estates. It is like the light of the sun, in all the kingdoms and
houses and eyes and ages, in Heaven, in earth, in the sea, in shops
and temples, in schools and markets, in labours and recreations,
in theatres and fable. It is _the great demon of the world_, and
the sole cause of all operations. It is evidently impossible for
any fancy, or play, or romance, or fable to be composed well and
made delightful without a mixture of Love in the composure. In
all theatres and feasts and weddings and triumphs and coronations
Love is the Soul and Perfection of all. In all persons, in all
occupations, in all diversions, in all labours, in all virtues, in
all vices, in all occasions, in all families, in all cities and
empires, in all our devotions and religious actions, Love is all in
all. All the sweetness of society is seated in Love, the life of
music and dancing is Love; the happiness of houses, the enjoyment
of friends, the amity of relations, the providence of kings, the
allegiance of subjects, the glory of empires, the security, peace,
and welfare of the world is seated in Love. Without Love all is
discord and confusion. All blessings come upon us by Love, and by
Love alone all delights and blessings are enjoyed. All happiness
is established by Love, and by Love alone is Glory attained. God
knoweth that Love uniteth Souls, maketh men of one heart in a house,
fills them with liberality and kindness to each other, makes them
delightful in presence, faithful in absence, tender of the honour
and welfare of the beloved, apt to obey, ready to please, constant
in trials, patient in sufferings, courageous in assaults, prudent
in difficulties, victorious and triumphant. All that I shall need
to observe further is that it _completed the Joys of Heaven_. Well,
therefore, may wisdom desire Love, well may the Goodness of God
delight in Love. It is the sum and glory of his Eternal Kingdom.
The following spirited, vigorous, and eloquent passage is from the
chapter "Of Courage":
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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