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Article OPTIMISM, A DREAM. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Optimism, A Dream.
OPTIMISM , A DREAM .
% / jTY mind was occupied a whole day in reflecting on the happiness V ^ of which the wicked partake , and on the misery that pursues the virtuous . Night dropt her curtain ; but who can sink into slumber upon the downy couch , while the unfortunate suffer , and while his p laintive groans accuse our repose , and awaken in our hearts the
invincible sentiments of commiseration ? The philosopher , or better to qualify the expression , the friend of human nature cannot : his sensible soul is too nearly allied to the fate of his fellow creatures , to suffer itself , like that of the wicked , to be isolated . The soul of the virtuous man is unwilling to possess happiness , or rather wishes to share it with the rest of mankind . My senses ,, weakened by these reflectionsielded to the slumbers
, y of Morpheus ; but my thoughts , still free and powerful , followed with unremitted zeal the bent of their meditations . X did not lose sight of the destiny of the unfortunate ; my heart was awake to his suffering , and felt an interest in the pain that he endured . Although folded in the arms of sleep , I felt irritated at the spectacle which this miserable earth presented to my imagination ; where vice rides
triumphant ; and virtue , timid and fading , is the object of persecution . These were the torments which Iendured ; and they are such as every one but the being whose happiness centres in himself alone must unavoidably endure . Overwhelmed with sorrow , I traversed with tardy steps the beautiful plains of Azora ; but the tranquillity that overspread the smiling face of nature did not penetrate mv heart . All the scenes of injusticeof crimesand tyrannypresented
them-, , , selves to my mind in lively colours . On one side I heard the cries of famishedindigep . ee , which poured forth their bitter complaints to the 'desart air : ' on the other , the unmeaning and clamorous joy of insensible and barbarous mortals , gorged with superfluities , offended my ear . All the misfortunes that assail humanity , all the sorrows which prey upon and devour mankindoccurred to my mind ; I sh'tiedand
, , the soft and bitter point of sympathy deliciously wounded my heart . Parching tears flowed down my cheeks , in plenteous streams ; I poured forth complaints ,, and so far was regardless of thediftates of wisdom , as to mttrniuragainst the powerful hand b y which the eveiits of ' lhe world are governed .
, O God 1 cried I , that mine ear were no longer to be dinned with the sighs of misery and the groans of despair ; that mine eyes were no more to behold one man murdering his fellow creature ; that I might no longer witness the glittering sword of despotism , and the disgraceful chain of slavery ! either render my feelings callous , or give me a new heart , incapable of sympathizing with a world of inisery . Alas ! thou hast imparted existence to so many innocent
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Optimism, A Dream.
OPTIMISM , A DREAM .
% / jTY mind was occupied a whole day in reflecting on the happiness V ^ of which the wicked partake , and on the misery that pursues the virtuous . Night dropt her curtain ; but who can sink into slumber upon the downy couch , while the unfortunate suffer , and while his p laintive groans accuse our repose , and awaken in our hearts the
invincible sentiments of commiseration ? The philosopher , or better to qualify the expression , the friend of human nature cannot : his sensible soul is too nearly allied to the fate of his fellow creatures , to suffer itself , like that of the wicked , to be isolated . The soul of the virtuous man is unwilling to possess happiness , or rather wishes to share it with the rest of mankind . My senses ,, weakened by these reflectionsielded to the slumbers
, y of Morpheus ; but my thoughts , still free and powerful , followed with unremitted zeal the bent of their meditations . X did not lose sight of the destiny of the unfortunate ; my heart was awake to his suffering , and felt an interest in the pain that he endured . Although folded in the arms of sleep , I felt irritated at the spectacle which this miserable earth presented to my imagination ; where vice rides
triumphant ; and virtue , timid and fading , is the object of persecution . These were the torments which Iendured ; and they are such as every one but the being whose happiness centres in himself alone must unavoidably endure . Overwhelmed with sorrow , I traversed with tardy steps the beautiful plains of Azora ; but the tranquillity that overspread the smiling face of nature did not penetrate mv heart . All the scenes of injusticeof crimesand tyrannypresented
them-, , , selves to my mind in lively colours . On one side I heard the cries of famishedindigep . ee , which poured forth their bitter complaints to the 'desart air : ' on the other , the unmeaning and clamorous joy of insensible and barbarous mortals , gorged with superfluities , offended my ear . All the misfortunes that assail humanity , all the sorrows which prey upon and devour mankindoccurred to my mind ; I sh'tiedand
, , the soft and bitter point of sympathy deliciously wounded my heart . Parching tears flowed down my cheeks , in plenteous streams ; I poured forth complaints ,, and so far was regardless of thediftates of wisdom , as to mttrniuragainst the powerful hand b y which the eveiits of ' lhe world are governed .
, O God 1 cried I , that mine ear were no longer to be dinned with the sighs of misery and the groans of despair ; that mine eyes were no more to behold one man murdering his fellow creature ; that I might no longer witness the glittering sword of despotism , and the disgraceful chain of slavery ! either render my feelings callous , or give me a new heart , incapable of sympathizing with a world of inisery . Alas ! thou hast imparted existence to so many innocent