ORION.
Canto the Third.
Strong Spirit of Nature! if with pious hand,
Of all humanity sensitive, and true
To the first heart of childhood, thou hast striven
Good to effect, and seemingly hast failed,
Lament it not; that impulse on the frame
Of the dense earth, which no result displays,
Effect or consciousness, not utterly
Shall turn aside, and glancing into space
Be lost and cast away. As with a thought
That, dormant in the brain well nigh a score
Of years, will suddenly, we know not how,
Rise bright before the mind, thus recognized
As that so long forgotten,—while two brains
Entire, have their material parts used up,
Of all humanity sensitive, and true
To the first heart of childhood, thou hast striven
Good to effect, and seemingly hast failed,
Lament it not; that impulse on the frame
Of the dense earth, which no result displays,
Effect or consciousness, not utterly
Shall turn aside, and glancing into space
Be lost and cast away. As with a thought
That, dormant in the brain well nigh a score
Of years, will suddenly, we know not how,
Rise bright before the mind, thus recognized
As that so long forgotten,—while two brains
Entire, have their material parts used up,
