Читать книгу Forgotten Life - Brian Aldiss - Страница 6

Epigraph

He walked; all round the slumb’ring Glade

Shone the SUBLIME. Through elm and birch

Old cottages led to the Church

While winding Stour a sail display’d

By many a sunlit mound and bend.

But on goes he with inward muse,

And still the DARKNESS him pursues;

He murmurs, ‘Stay, I have no Friend,

No Love, no ABSOLUTION claimed,

And all that IS is ever maimed.’

‘The Calm’ from

A Summer Stroll Through Parts of Suffolk

William Westlake, 1801

Of all persons, those in distress stand most in need of our good offices. And, for that reason, the Author of nature hath planted in the breast of every human creature a powerful advocate to plead their cause.

In man, and in some other animals, there are signs of distress, which nature hath both taught them to use, and taught all men to understand without any interpreter. These natural signs are more eloquent than language; they move our hearts, and produce a sympathy, and a desire to give relief.

There are few hearts so hard, but great distress will conquer their anger, their indignation, and every malevolent affection.

Essays on the Power of the Mind

Thomas Reid, Edinburgh, 1820

Lo, how it guards the son from War’s alarm,

The loving Shelter of a Mother’s arms;

Snatch him too young away and count the Cost,

A tortured Spirit, rostered with the Lost.

from ‘Miss Montagu’s Portrait’

William Westlake, 1790