Versos English Robert Bridges The Fourth Dimension

English poem

The Fourth Dimension

by

Listen in the reader

(Hendecasyllables)

Truest-hearted of early friends, that Eton Long since gáve to me,--Ah! 'tis all a life-time,-- With my faithfully festive auspication Of Christmas merriment, this idle item.

Plato truly believ'd his archetypal Idēas to possess the fourth dimension: For since our solid is triple, but always Its shade only double, solids as umbrae Must lack equally one dimension also. Could Plato[v]have avoided or denied it?

So Saint Paul, when in argument opposing To our earthly bodies bodies celestial, Meant just those pretty Greek aforesaid abstracts Of four Plātonical divine dimensions.

If this be not a holy consolation More than plumpudding and a turkey roasted, Whereto you but address a third dimension, Try it, pray, as a pill to aid digestion: I can't find anything better to send you.

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JOHANNES MILTON, Senex

Scazons

Since I believe in God the Father Almighty, Man's Maker and Judge, Overruler of Fortune, 'Twere strange should I praise anything and refuse Him praise, Should love the creature forgetting the Crēator, Nor unto Him[v]in suff'ring and sorrow turn me: Nay how coud I withdraw me from[v]His embracing?

But since that I have seen not, and cannot know Him, Nor in my earthly temple apprehend rightly His wisdom and the heav'nly purpose ēternal; Therefore will I be bound to no studied system Nor argument, nor with delusion enslave me, Nor seek to pléase Him in any foolish invention, Which my spirit within me, that loveth beauty And hateth evil, hath reprov'd as unworthy:

But I cherish my freedom in loving service, Gratefully adoring for delight beyond asking Or thinking, and in hours of anguish and darkness Confiding always on[v]His excellent greatness.

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