A Sequel to Don Juan — page 74: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

DON JUAN. 65 CLXXV. Thus that reverted and adoring look, Which lingered long upon the ancient lyre, At length a forward range of vision took ;— The mind was influenced with a new desire ; The contemplation of the present shook That faith which classic themes alone inspire, And, weaning man from reverence of the past, Upon the future made him gaze at last. CLXXVI. Yes—heaven be thanked! that weary retrospect Upon antiquity exists no more: The brow of youth is now no longer decked With those bright garlands which alone he wore ;— The Poean of enfranchised intellect Succeeds the solemn strain of classic lore : The mind has ceased its vigils at the tomb, In superstitious awe, of Greece and Rome. CLXXVII. O Christ! it is a noble destiny, From the first glimmering of reason’s dawn, To give the mind up, fetterless and free, To every branch of science newly born, Which o’er the surface of society Its bounties sheds, to aid and to adorn :— Give me that active and productive knowledge Which ne’er is learnt in the old classic college. E COMmiclbooks. conn