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: _Which buds or breathes_, l. 381. Organic bodies,
besides the carbon, hydrogen, azote, and the oxygen and heat,
which are combined with them, require to be also immersed in
loose heat and loose oxygen to preserve their mutable
existence; and hence life only exists on or near the surface
of the earth; see Botan. Garden, Vol. I. Canto IV. l. 419.
L'organisation, le sentiment, le movement spontane, la vie,
n'existent qu'a la surface de la terre, et dans les lieux
exposes a la lumiere. Traite de Chimie par M. Lavoisier, Tom.
I. p. 202.]
"HENCE when a Monarch or a mushroom dies,
Awhile extinct the organic matter lies;
But, as a few short hours or years revolve,
Alchemic powers the changing mass dissolve;
Born to new life unnumber'd insects pant,
New buds surround the microscopic plant;
Whose embryon senses, and unwearied frames,
Feel finer goads, and blush with purer flames; 390
Renascent joys from irritation spring,
Stretch the long root, or wave the aurelian wing.
[Footnote: _Born to new life_, l. 387. From the innumerable
births of the larger insects, and the spontaneous productions
of the microscopic ones, every part of organic matter from
the recrements of dead vegetable or animal bodies, on or near
the surface of the earth, becomes again presently reanimated;
which by increasing the number and quantity of living
organizations, though many of them exist but for a short
time, adds to the sum total of terrestrial happiness.]
"When thus a squadron or an army yields,
And festering carnage loads the waves or fields;
When few from famines or from plagues survive,
Or earthquakes swallow half a realm alive;--
While Nature sinks in Time's destructive storms,
The wrecks of Death are but a change of forms;
Emerging matter from the grave returns,
Feels new desires, with new sensations burns; 400
With youth's first bloom a finer sense acquires,
And Loves and Pleasures fan the rising fires.--
Thus sainted PAUL, 'O Death!' exulting cries,
'Where is thy sting? O Grave! thy victories?'
[Footnote: _Thus sainted Paul_, l. 403. The doctrine of St.
Paul teaches the resurrection of the body in an incorruptible
and glorified state, with consciousness of its previous
existence; he therefore justly exults over the sting of
death, and the victory of the grave.]
"Immortal Happiness from realms deceased
Wakes, as from sleep, unlessen'd or increased;
Calls to the wise in accents loud and clear,
Sooths with sweet tones the sympathetic ear;
Informs and fires the revivescent clay,
And lights the dawn of Life's returning day. 410
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account