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: _The varied landscape_, l. 160. The pleasure, we
feel on examining a fine landscape, is derived from various
sources; as first the excitement of the retina of the eye
into certain quantities of action; which when there is in the
optic nerve any accumulation of sensorial power, is always
agreeable. 2. When it is excited into such successive
actions, as relieve each other; as when a limb has been long
exerted in one direction, by stretching it in another; as
described in Zoonomia, Sect. XL. 6. on ocular spectra. 3. And
lastly by the associations of its parts with some agreeable
sentiments or tastes, as of sublimity, beauty, utility,
novelty; and the objects suggesting other sentiments, which
have lately been termed picturesque as mentioned in the note
to Canto III, l. 230 of this work. The two former of these
sources of pleasure arise from irritation, the last from
association.]
"So when by HANDEL tuned to measured sounds
The trumpet vibrates, or the drum rebounds;
Alarm'd we listen with ecstatic wonder
To mimic battles, or imagined thunder.
When the soft lute in sweet impassion'd strains
Of cruel nymphs or broken vows complains;
As on the breeze the fine vibration floats,
We drink delighted the melodious notes.
But when young Beauty on the realms above
Bends her bright eye, and trills the tones of love; 180
Seraphic sounds enchant this nether sphere;
And listening angels lean from Heaven to hear.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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