ABSTRACT
It remains only to formulate, XVI, a doctrine which seems 72 essentially that to be attributed to Confucius in the quotations from the Chung Yung at the head of this book. In doing so we shall be enabled to place in their true position the two remaining definitions on our list. It is expected that the experience now about to be described will be recognized by those who look for it; it has, indeed, been noticed by many poets and critics. It marks off a field which cannot otherwise be defined and also explains why the objects therein contained can reasonably be regarded as of great importance. The limits of this field do not correspond with those set by a naïve use of the term Beauty, but it will be found that the actual usage of careful and sensitive persons not affected by special theories corresponds as closely with this definition as with any other which can be given. And when there came a pause Of silence such as baffled his best skill: Then sometimes, in that silence, while he hung Listening, a gentle shock of mild surprise Has carried far into his heart the voice Of mountain torrents; or the visible scene Would enter unawares into his mind With all its solemn imagery, its rocks, Its woods, and that uncertain heaven received Into the bosom of the steady lake.
