Hard to the heart is final death: fain would an Ens not end in Nil; Love made the senti'ment kindly good: the Priest perverted all to ill. While Reason sternly bids us die, Love longs for life beyond the grave: Our hearts, affections, hopes and fears for Life-to-be shall ever crave. Hence came the despot's darling dream, a Church to rule and sway the State; Hence sprang the train of countless griefs in priestly sway and rule innate. For future Life who dares reply? No witness at the bar have we; Save what the brother Potsherd tells, - old tales and novel jugglery. Who e'er return'd to teach the Truth, the things of Heaven and Hell to limn? And all we hear is only fit for grandam-talk and nursery-hymn.
More from Sir Richard Francis Burton
There is no Heav'en, there is no Hell; these be the dreams of baby minds, Tools of the wily Fetisheer, to 'fright the fools his cunning blinds. Learn from the …
Permalink to quote #35 'Who drinks one bowl hath scant delight; to poorest passion he was born; 'Who drains the score must e'er expect to rue the headache of the morn.' Safely he jog…
Permalink to quote #37 'Fools rush where Angels fear to tread! Angels and Fools have equal claim To do what Nature bids them do, sans hope of praise, sans fear of blame!
Permalink to quote #34