Quote#Happiness
I cannot reach it, and my striving eye
Quote byHenry Vaughan · 1621–1695
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Silex Scintillans (1655), "Childhood".
English (original)
I cannot reach it, and my striving eye Dazzles at it, as at eternity. Were now that chronicle alive, Those white designs which children drive, And the thoughts of each harmless hour, With their content too in my pow'r, Quickly would I make my path even, And by mere playing go to heaven.
— Henry Vaughan
More from Henry Vaughan
Happy those early days, when I Shined in my angel-infancy! Before I understood this place Appointed for my second race.
There is in God — some say — A deep, but dazzling darkness; as men here Say it is late and dusky, because they See not all clear. O for that Night! where I in Him Might live invisible and dim!
Holy writing must strive (by all means) for perfection and true holiness, that a door may be opened to him in heaven.
As men are killed by fighting, the truth is lost in disputing.
Dear Night! this world's defeat; The stop to busy fools; care's check and curb; The day of spirits; my soul's calm retreat Which none disturb! Christ's progress, and His prayer-time; The hours to which high Heaven doth chime.
My gazing soul would dwell an hour, And in those weaker glories spy Some shadows of eternity; Before I taught my tongue to wound My conscience with a sinful sound, Or had the black art to dispense