What Is Life?[394:1]

Linenotes:

with light touch] all lightly MS.

the] this MS.

A distant Hiss of fire MS. alternative reading.

lessens] lessened MS.

flutters] fluttered MS.

mutters] muttered MS.

Resembles life what once was deem'd of light,
Too ample in itself for human sight?
An absolute self—an element ungrounded—
All that we see, all colours of all shade
By encroach of darkness made?—
Is very life by consciousness unbounded?
And all the thoughts, pains, joys of mortal breath,
A war-embrace of wrestling life and death?

1805.