Heaven bestows light and influence on this lower world, which reflects the blessed rays, though it cannot recompense them. So man may make a return to God, but no requital.
[Young Prodigies]
Fair criticism on young prodigies and Rosciuses in verse, or on the stage, is arraigned,
...as the envious sneaping frost
That bites the first-born infants of the spring.
If there were no better answer, the following a good heart would scarcely admit; but where nine-tenths of the applause have been mere wonderment and miracle-lust (
Wundursucht
) these verses are an excellent accompaniment to other arguments:
Well, say it be! Yet why of summer boast,
Before the birds have natural cause to sing?
Why should we joy in an abortive birth?
At Christmas I no more desire a rose,
Than wish a snow in May's new budding shows;
But like of each thing that in reason grows.
Love's Labours Lost. [1]