The Mind

Inscription 9: Me though in life's sequester'd vale

by Mark Akenside 1721–1770

From Inscriptions

The Mind

Me though in life's sequester'd vale
The Almighty Sire ordain'd to dwell,
Remote from glory's toilsome ways,
And the great scenes of public praise;
Yet let me still with grateful pride
Remember how my infant frame
He temper'd with prophetic flame,
And early music to my tongue supplied.
'Twas then my future fate he weigh'd,
And, this be thy concern, he said,
At once with Passion's keen alarms,
And Beauty's pleasurable charms,
And sacred Truth's eternal light,
To move the various mind of Man;
Till, under one unblemish'd plan,
His Reason, Fancy, and his Heart unite.

MLA

Akenside, Mark. “Inscription 9: Me though in life's sequester'd vale.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/akenside/52/.

Chicago

Akenside, Mark. “Inscription 9: Me though in life's sequester'd vale.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/akenside/52/.

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