"And, born of love, the vague desire That spurs an imitative will,"
rose in me, and made me wish to do likewise.
"The churl in spirit" may be found in all ranks of society. Even the king, holding the golden ball of state, may be "at heart a clown."
The "coltish nature" will break out through all the disguises of fashion: but in Hallam
"God and nature met in light, And thus he bore without abuse The grand old name of gentleman,[80] Defamed by every charlatan, And soil'd with all ignoble use."
"High wisdom," which judges _ex cathedrâ_, will condemn him for preferring "glorious insufficiencies" to "narrower perfectness."
He esteems high purposes after what is unattained, as exhibited in Hallam's shortened life, more than a complete fulfilment of lesser duties by the "lords of doom," who rule in our social system, and are _those that have free will, but less intellect_.
"Sprang up for ever at a touch, And hope could never hope too much, In watching thee from hour to hour."
He persistently dwells on Hallam's capabilities. Sorrow may teach wisdom; but how much more sleeps with him, who would not only have guided the survivor, but served all public ends.
He thinks his friend might have become a leading statesman of the day--a pilot to weather the storm, when the greatest social agonies prevailed.
"Who loves not Knowledge"? He would have it pursued to its utmost limits; but in the keen searchings of the scientific there is this danger, that conclusions are apt to be accepted before they have been proved.
When "cut from love and faith," Science is no more than "some wild Pallas from the brain of Demons"--like Minerva, who sprang all armed and full-grown from the brain of Jupiter.
"leaps into the future chance, Submitting all things to desire. Half-grown as yet, a child, and vain"--
and therefore needing caution and restraint.
If separated from love and faith, she bursts
"All barriers in her onward race For power."
"For she is earthly of the mind, But Wisdom heavenly of the soul."
"like thee, Who grewest not alone in power And knowledge, but by year and hour In reverence and in charity."
It may be remarked that, here and elsewhere, the Poet makes a distinction betwixt mind and soul: the former acquiring knowledge which