quote · Legacy record
What terrestial woe can match The self-convicted bosom, which hath wrought The bane of others, or enslaved itself With shackles vile? Not poison, nor sharp fire, Nor the worst pangs that ever monkish hate Suggested, or despotic rage imposed, Were at that season an unwished exchange; When the soul loathes herself, when flying thence, To crowds, on every brow she sees pourtrayed Fell demons, hate or scorn, which drive her back To solitude, her Judge’s voice divine, To hear in secret, haply sounding through The troubled dreams of midnight, and still, still Demanding for his violated laws Fit recompense; or charging her own tongue To speak the award of justice on herself.
What terrestial woe can match The self-convicted bosom, which hath wrought The bane of others, or enslaved itself With shackles vile? Not poison, nor sharp fire, Nor the worst pangs that ever monkish hate Suggested, or despotic rage imposed, Were at that season an unwished exchange; When the soul loathes herself, when flying thence, To crowds, on every brow she sees pourtrayed Fell demons, hate or scorn, which drive her back To solitude, her Judge’s voice divine, To hear in secret, haply sounding through The troubled dreams of midnight, and still, still Demanding for his violated laws Fit recompense; or charging her own tongue To speak the award of justice on herself.
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
- Akenside (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 141 · printed citation: Akenside · subject: CONSCIENCE
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.