quote · Legacy record
I cavilled at the elements—what is earth? A huge congestion of unmethodized matter With but a skin of life—a mighty solid, Which nature’s prodigal of space provides For superficial uses; and what air? A motion and a pressure; fire? a change; And light? the language of the things called dumb. Last came the troubled question—what am I? A blade, a sapling of the growth of life Wherewith the outside of the earth is covered; A comprehensive atom, all the world In act of thought embracing; in the world A grain scarce filling a particular place.
I cavilled at the elements—what is earth? A huge congestion of unmethodized matter With but a skin of life—a mighty solid, Which nature’s prodigal of space provides For superficial uses; and what air? A motion and a pressure; fire? a change; And light? the language of the things called dumb. Last came the troubled question—what am I? A blade, a sapling of the growth of life Wherewith the outside of the earth is covered; A comprehensive atom, all the world In act of thought embracing; in the world A grain scarce filling a particular place.
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
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Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Henry Taylor (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 197 · printed citation: Henry Taylor · subject: ELEMENTS
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.