The Development of the Feeling for Nature in the Middle Ages and Modern Times by Alfred Biese
page 311 of 509 (61%)
page 311 of 509 (61%)
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Example conquered, and the glow of youth
To live as live one's comrades seems allowed; He who would be a man, must quit the crowd. He, too, wrote with hymn-like swing in praise of the Creator: 'Great is the Lord! the unnumbered heavens are the chambers of his fortress, storm and thunder-clouds his chariot.' The most famous of his poems, and the one most admired in his own day, was _Spring_. This is full of love for Nature. It describes a country walk after the muggy air of town, and conveys a vivid impression of fresh germinating spring, though it is overlaid by monotonous detail: Receive me, hallowed shades! Ye dwellings of sweet buss! Umbrageous arches full of sleeping dark delights ... Receive me! Fill my soul with longing and with rest ... And you, ye laughing fields, Valleys of roses, labyrinths of streams, I will inhale an ecstasy with your balsamic breath, And, lying in the shade, on strings of gold Sing your indwelling joys.... On rosy clouds, with rose and tulip crowned, Spring has come down from heaven.... The air grew softer, fields took varied hues, The shades were leafy, and soft notes awoke And flew and warbled round the wood in twilight greenery. Brooks took a silver tint, sweet odours filled the air, The early shepherd's pipe was heard by Echo in the dale.... Most dear abode! Ah, were I but allowed |
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