"From the wise be far / Such gross unhallow'd pride; nor needs my song / Descend so low; but rather now unfold, / If human thought could reach, or words unfold, / By what mysterious fabric of the mind, / The deep-felt joys and harmony of sound / Result from airy motion; and from shape / The lovely phantoms of sublime and fair."
The Pleasures of Imagination
Over 33 entries in the ESTC (1744, 1748, 1754, 1758, 1759, 1763, 1765, 1767, 1768, 1769, 1771, 1775, 1777, 1780, 1786, 1788, 1794, 1795, 1796).<br>
<br>
Text from Mark Akenside, <u>The Poems Of Mark Akenside</u> (London: W. Bowyer and J. Nichols, 1772).<br>
<br>
Compare the poem as first published: Mark Akenside, <u>The Pleasures of Imagination: A Poem. In Three Books.</u> (London: Printed for R. Dodsley 1744). &lt;<a href="http://name.umdl.umich.edu/004832460.0001.000">Link to ECCO-TCP</a>&gt; &lt;<a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=vy0GAAAAQAAJ">Link to Google Books</a>&gt;<br>
<br>
Also reading <u>The Pleasures of Imagination</u> (Otley, England: Woodstock Books, 2000), which reprints <u>The Pleasures of Imagination. By Mark Akenside, M.D. to Which Is Prefixed a Critical Essay on the Poem, by Mrs. Barbauld.</u> (London: Printed for T. Cadell, jun. and W. Davies, (successors to Mr. Cadell), 1795). &lt;<a href="http://estc.bl.uk/T85421">Link to ESTC</a>&gt;