A
FRAGMENT
.
THE
BLIND
MAN
.
SAY
,
reverend
man
,
why
'midst
this
stormy
night
Wander'st
thou
darkling
,
and
expos'd
,
alone
?
Alas
!
I
would
assist
thee
,
though
unknown
.
"
Rash
youth
!
that
GOD
which
robb'd
my
eyes
of
sight
"
Darts
through
my
mind
a
ray
of
sacred
light
:
"
The
winds
I
heed
not
,
nor
the
lashing
shower
,
"
My
sinewy
frame
is
firm
,
my
soaring
mind
has
power
.
"
This
oaken-staff
feels
out
the
dangerous
way
:
"
'Twas
Heaven's
fierce
fire
which
swept
my
eyes
away
,
"
And
left
an
orbless
trunk
,
that
knows
nor
night
nor
day
.
"
Yet
strong
ideas
rooted
in
my
brain
"
Form
there
an
universe
,
which
doth
contain
"
Those
images
which
Nature's
hand
displays
,
"
The
heavenly
arch
,
the
morning's
glowing
rays
;
"
Mountains
and
plains
,
the
sea
by
tempests
hurl'd
,
"
And
all
the
grandeur
of
this
glorious
world
!
"
But
,
ah
!
how
wild
drives
on
the
rapid
storm
,
Dashing
the
rain
against
thy
reverend
form
!
Yon
swelling
river
,
foaming
tow'rds
the
main
,
Smokes
'midst
th'
advancing
waves
and
falling
rain
:
O
,
father
!
my
young
soul
is
shook
within
;
O!
let
me
lead
you
from
this
horrid
scene
.
"
I
yield
;
—
but
let
not
fear
thy
mind
deform
,
"
Hark!
'tis
GOD'S
voice
which
urges
on
the
storm
;
"
He
to
this
world
of
elements
gave
form
.
"
From
them
he
moulded
all
,
yet
gave
not
peace
,
"
But
broke
the
harmony
,
and
bade
them
rage
;
"
He
meant
not
happiness
should
join
with
ease
,
"
But
varied
joys
and
pains
should
all
the
world
engage
.
"