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Quincey, Thomas de - Cities and temples, beyond the art of Phidias and Praxiteles
Identifier
003739
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Thomas de Quincy – Confessions of an English Opium Eater
thou buildest upon the bosom of darkness, out of the fantastic imagery of the brain, cities and temples, beyond the art of Phidias and Praxiteles – beyond the splendours of Babylon and Hekatompylos; and from the anarchy of dreaming sleep, callest into sunny light the faces of long buried beauties and the blessed household countenances, cleansed from the dishonours of the grave. Thou only givest these gifts to man; and thou hast the keys of Paradise, O just, subtle and mighty opium!