Chapter XXXIII

This Poem is abstruse, and requires thought and care for the interpretation of the Poet's meaning.

It seems to be an address of warning and reproof to a moral pantheist, who fancies that he has attained a higher and purer air, by withholding his faith from all "form," and recognising Deity in everything--his faith having "centre everywhere."

This sceptic is warned from disturbing the pious woman, who is happy in her prayers to a personal God; for they bring an "early heaven" on her life. Her faith is fixed on "form;" and to flesh and blood she has linked a truth divine, by seeing God incarnate in the person of Christ.

The pantheist must take care for himself, that, whilst satisfied

"In holding by the law within,"

the guidance of his own reason, he does not after all fail in a sinful world, "for want of such a type," as the life of Christ on earth affords.

"A life that leads melodious days," is like that of Vopiscus, in his Tiburtine villa, as described by his friend, Statius, I., iii., 20.

--_ceu veritus turbare Vopisci
Pieriosque dies et habentes carmina somnos._