quote · Legacy record

But what strange art, what magic can dispose The troubled mind to change its native woes, Or lead us willing from ourselves, to see Others more wretched, more undone than we? This books can do;—nor this alone, they give New views of life, and teach us how to live. They soothe the grieved, the stubborn they chastise, Fools they admonish, and confound the wise; Their aid they lead to all; they never shun The man of sorrow, nor the wretch undone. Unlike the hard, the selfish, and the proud, They fly not sullen from the suppliant crowd; Nor tell to various people various things, But show to subjects what they show to kings. Blessed be the gracious Power! who taught mankind To stamp a lasting image of the mind. Beasts may convey and tuneful birds may sing their mutual feelings in the opening spring, But man alone has skill and power to send The heart’s warm dictates to a distant friend; ’Tis his alone to please, instruct, advise Ages remote, and nations yet to rise.

But what strange art, what magic can dispose The troubled mind to change its native woes, Or lead us willing from ourselves, to see Others more wretched, more undone than we? This books can do;—nor this alone, they give New views of life, and teach us how to live. They soothe the grieved, the stubborn they chastise, Fools they admonish, and confound the wise; Their aid they lead to all; they never shun The man of sorrow, nor the wretch undone. Unlike the hard, the selfish, and the proud, They fly not sullen from the suppliant crowd; Nor tell to various people various things, But show to subjects what they show to kings. Blessed be the gracious Power! who taught mankind To stamp a lasting image of the mind. Beasts may convey and tuneful birds may sing their mutual feelings in the opening spring, But man alone has skill and power to send The heart’s warm dictates to a distant friend; ’Tis his alone to please, instruct, advise Ages remote, and nations yet to rise.

Approximate author period: c. 1793 AD · early modern