DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0122
Q6 OP THE HUMAN FIGUEE. [lECT, V.
infinite in faculties! in form and moving, how ex-
press and admirable ! in action, how like an angel!
in apprehension, how like a God ! the beauty of the
world ! the paragon of animals ! "—Hamlet.
If, amid the infirmities to which human nature is
now exposed, man be ! the beauty of the world, the
paragon of animals;' if his form now excite love,
and respect; shall we for a moment turn our
thoughts to his original purity,—when no disease
pained him, no calamity molested him;—when
health of body, united with vigour of mind unpol-
luted, untainted ;—when the first pair
(The loveliest pair
That ever since in love's embraces met,
Adam the goodliest man of men since born,
His sons, the fairest of her daughters Eve)
With native honour clad
In naked majesty seem'd lords of all,
And worthy seem'd; for in their looks divine.
The image of their glorious Maker shone,
Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure,
Severe, but in true filial freedom plac'd;
Whence true authority in man : though both
Not equal, as their sex not equal seem'd ;
For contemplation he and valour form'dj
For softness she and sweet attractive srrace.
O
He for God only, she for God in him :
His fair large front and eye sublime declar'd
Absolute rule ; and hyacinthine locks
Round from his parted forelock manly hung
Clustering, but not beneath his shoulders broad:
She as a veil down to the slender waist
Her unadorned golden tresses wore
Dishevelled, but in wanton ringlets wav'd,
As the vine curls her tendrils, which implied
Subjection, but required with gentle sway,
And by her yielded
Well
infinite in faculties! in form and moving, how ex-
press and admirable ! in action, how like an angel!
in apprehension, how like a God ! the beauty of the
world ! the paragon of animals ! "—Hamlet.
If, amid the infirmities to which human nature is
now exposed, man be ! the beauty of the world, the
paragon of animals;' if his form now excite love,
and respect; shall we for a moment turn our
thoughts to his original purity,—when no disease
pained him, no calamity molested him;—when
health of body, united with vigour of mind unpol-
luted, untainted ;—when the first pair
(The loveliest pair
That ever since in love's embraces met,
Adam the goodliest man of men since born,
His sons, the fairest of her daughters Eve)
With native honour clad
In naked majesty seem'd lords of all,
And worthy seem'd; for in their looks divine.
The image of their glorious Maker shone,
Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure,
Severe, but in true filial freedom plac'd;
Whence true authority in man : though both
Not equal, as their sex not equal seem'd ;
For contemplation he and valour form'dj
For softness she and sweet attractive srrace.
O
He for God only, she for God in him :
His fair large front and eye sublime declar'd
Absolute rule ; and hyacinthine locks
Round from his parted forelock manly hung
Clustering, but not beneath his shoulders broad:
She as a veil down to the slender waist
Her unadorned golden tresses wore
Dishevelled, but in wanton ringlets wav'd,
As the vine curls her tendrils, which implied
Subjection, but required with gentle sway,
And by her yielded
Well