Ere yet the dawn of love illumed the soulless gloom.
VII.
Ere Evolution, in unhasting speed,
Trained man’s regard to larger life and need;
By Art his feelings waked to functions higher,
Disclosed within his clay the veins of fire,
Taught him his pleasures of the flesh to find
But presage of the mightier joys of mind;
Evoked the soul from fume of mortal dust,
The vestal flame of love from lower flush of lust.