quote · Legacy record
Far other flame the vain enthusiast feels When, reason by delusive fancy led In sad captivity, the thoughts confused Rush on his mind in dark and doubtful sense, His mind a chaos of blind zeal, that spurns Th’ unerring clue which mild discretion lends. Perchance the clashing images strike out Some ray of casual light; how soon The weak and momentary glance is lost Beneath a load of wild obscurity! Much does he labour with some weighty thought Of faith, of grace, of Heaven, perchance of hell, But all in vain be draws the thread confused To tedious length; the end eludes his search, And leaves him wrapt in wild perplexity, Recoiling still on the same beaten track.
Far other flame the vain enthusiast feels When, reason by delusive fancy led In sad captivity, the thoughts confused Rush on his mind in dark and doubtful sense, His mind a chaos of blind zeal, that spurns Th’ unerring clue which mild discretion lends. Perchance the clashing images strike out Some ray of casual light; how soon The weak and momentary glance is lost Beneath a load of wild obscurity! Much does he labour with some weighty thought Of faith, of grace, of Heaven, perchance of hell, But all in vain be draws the thread confused To tedious length; the end eludes his search, And leaves him wrapt in wild perplexity, Recoiling still on the same beaten track.
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Charles Jenner (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 477 · printed citation: Charles Jenner · subject: REASON—REASONS
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.