Religio medici with Observations thereon / by Sir Kenelm Digby. To which is added, Hydriotaphia, or Urn-burial, a discourse on sepulchral urns; and also Christian morals ; by Sir Thomas Browne.

  • Browne, Thomas, Sir, 1605-1682.
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Religio medici with Observations thereon / by Sir Kenelm Digby. To which is added, Hydriotaphia, or Urn-burial, a discourse on sepulchral urns; and also Christian morals ; by Sir Thomas Browne. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    and this do I enjoy, with this I am happy in a dream.” I am in some doubt, however, whether this anxious yearning after the shadow of happiness afforded by sleep, should not be considered as an indication that the contentment of wrhich he boasts above, was scarcely fast anchored in his habits. He professes, indeed, to have been “ as content to en- joy happiness in a fancy, as others in more appa- rent truth and realitybut this implies a contrast between his own condition and theirs And again, “ there is surely a nearer apprehension of anything that delights us in our dreams, than in our w aked senses; without this / were unhappy; for my awaked judgment discontents me, ever whisper- ing unto me that I am from my friend ; but my friendly dreams in night requite me, and make me think I am within his arms. I thank God for my happy dreams, as I do for my good rest.” But crotchets like these are usually the solace of minds ill at ease—of lovers divided from those they love—of parents, whose adored and lost ones sleep restores, and places once more on their knee —of the poor and persecuted by fortune, who, in their dreams, soar to that independence, which, waking, they perhaps shall never know. Our great poet, bereaved of a beloved wife, opens with Sleep’s golden keys the dusky chambers of Persephone, and brings her back for a moment to light:— “ Methought I saw my late espoused saint Brought to me, like Alcestis from the grave, Whom Jove's great son to her glad husband gave.