O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions:
- who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment;
- so blinded by desire,that they cannot foresee the pain and trouble that are bound to ensue;
- and equal blame belongs to those who fail in their duty through weakness of will,which is the same as saying through shrinking from toil and pain.
And then,my friend,when darkness overspreads my eyes,and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power,like the form of a beloved mistress,then I often think with longing,Oh,would I could describe these conceptions,could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me,that it might be the mirror of my soul,as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!
I am so happy,my dear friend,so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence,that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment;and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.
Andrew Simons
I am alone,and feel the charm of existence in this spot,which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy,my dear friend,so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence,that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment;and