The Temple of Nature; or, the Origin of Society: A Poem, with Philosophical NotesDarwin, Erasmus
Philosophy
The Temple of Nature; or, the Origin of Society: A Poem, with Philosophical Notes
Darwin, Erasmus
Cosmology -- Poetry; Life -- Origin -- Poetry
[Footnote: _And last association_, l. 93. The miseries and
the felicities of life may be divided into those which arise
in consequence of irritation, sensation, volition, and
association; and consist in the actions of the extremities of
the nerves of sense, which constitute our ideas; if they are
much more exerted than usual, or much less exerted than
usual, they occasion pain; as when the finger is burnt in a
candle; or when we go into a cold bath: while their natural
degree of exertion produces the pleasure of life or
existence. This pleasure is nevertheless increased, when the
system is stimulated into rather stronger action than usual,
as after a copious dinner, and at the beginning of
intoxication; and diminished, when it is only excited into
somewhat less activity than usual, which is termed ennui, or
irksomeness of life.]
[Footnote: _Ideal ills_, l. 94. The tooth-edge is an instance
of bodily pain occasioned by association of ideas. Every one
in his childhood has repeatedly bit a part of the glass or
earthen vessel, in which his food has been given him, and has
thence had a disagreeable sensation in his teeth, attended at
the same time with a jarring sound: and ever after, when such
a sound is accidentally produced, the disagreeable sensation
of the teeth follows by association of ideas; this is further
elucidated in Zoonomia, Vol. I. Sect. XVI. 10.]
"Here ragged Avarice guards with bolted door
His useless treasures from the starving poor;
Loads the lorn hours with misery and care,
And lives a beggar to enrich his heir. 100
Unthinking crowds thy forms, Imposture, gull,
A Saint in sackcloth, or a Wolf in wool.
While mad with foolish fame, or drunk with power,
Ambition slays his thousands in an hour;
Demoniac Envy scowls with haggard mien,
And blights the bloom of other's joys, unseen;
Or wrathful Jealousy invades the grove,
And turns to night meridian beams of Love!
[Footnote: _Enrich his heir_, l. 100.
Cum furor haud dubius, cum sit manifesta phrenitis,
Ut locuples moriaris, egenti vivere fato.
JUVENAL.]
[Footnote: _A Wolf in wool_, l. 102. A wolf in sheep's
clothing.]
"Here wide o'er earth impetuous waters sweep,
And fields and forests rush into the deep; 110
Or dread Volcano with explosion dire
Involves the mountains in a flood of fire;
Or yawning Earth with closing jaws inhumes
Unwarned nations, living in their tombs;
Or Famine seizes with her tiger-paw,
And swallows millions with unsated maw.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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