My Star.
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he following passage from ‘Fifine at the Fair’, section 55,is an expansion of the idea involved in ‘My Star’, and isthe best commentary which can be given on it:-- “I search but cannot seeWhat purpose serves the soul that strives, or world it triesConclusions with, unless the fruit of victoriesStay, one and all, stored up and guaranteed its ownFor ever, by some mode whereby shall be made knownThe gain of every life. Death reads the title clear--What each soul for itself conquered from out things here:Since, IN THE SEEING SOUL, ALL WORTH LIES, I ASSERT,--AND NOUGHT I’ THE WORLD, WHICH, SAVE FOR SOUL THAT SEES, INERTWAS, IS, AND WOULD BE EVER,--STUFF FOR TRANSMUTING--NULLAND VOID UNTIL MAN’S BREATH EVOKE THE BEAUTIFUL--BUT, TOUCHED ARIGHT, PROMPT YIELDS EACH PARTICLE, ITS TONGUEOF ELEMENTAL FLAME,--no matter whence flame sprungFrom gums and spice, or else from straw and rottenness,So long as soul has power to make them burn, expressWhat lights and warms henceforth, leaves only ash behind,Howe’er the chance: if soul be privileged to findFood so soon that, at first snatch of eye, suck of breath,It shall absorb pure life:” etc.
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