A rebuttal of Wordsworth

     Sweet is the lore which nature brings;
     Our meddling intellect
     Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things;
     —We murder to dissect.

’Tis nature’s lore that intellect
Doth strive to comprehend:
To find its patterns doth direct,
Not seek its form to bend.

     Enough of science and of art;
     Close up these barren leaves;
     Come forth, and bring with you a heart
     That watches and receives.

A heart that watches and receives
Is scientist’s, artist’s aim
Thus only can its “barren” leaves
The truth of beauty claim.

Reuben Thomas
12th January 1999

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This document was translated from L^AT_EX by H^EV^EA.

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Last updated 2019/11/24