Paracelsus / By Robert Browning.

  • Browning, Robert, 1812-1889
Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Paracelsus / By Robert Browning. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Man’s near approach ; so in man’s self arise August anticipations, symbols, types Of a dim splendour ever on before. In the eternal circle life pursues : For men begin to pass their nature’s bound. To have new hopes and cares which fast supplant Their proper joys and griefs ; they grow too great For narrow creeds of right and wrong, which fade Before unmeasur’d thirst for good; while peace Rises within them ever more and more. Such men are even now upon the earth— Serene amid the half-form’d creatures round, Whom they should save and join with them at last Such was my task, and I was born to it— Free, as I said but now', from much that chains Spirits high-dow'er’d, but limited and vex’d By a divided and delusive aim— A shadow mocking a reality Whose truth avails not wholly to disperse The flitting mimic which itself has bred. And so remains perplex’d and nigh put out By its fantastic fellow’s wavering gleam ;