The Story of My Heart | Page 9

deep concave was the more profound in the
dusk, I formulated it into three divisions. First, I desired that I might do
or find something to exalt the soul, something to enable it to live its
own life, a more powerful existence now. Secondly, I desired to be able
to do something for the flesh, to make a discovery or perfect a method
by which the fleshly body might enjoy more pleasure, longer life, and
suffer less pain. Thirdly, to construct a more flexible engine with which
to carry into execution the design of the will. I called this the Lyra
prayer, to distinguish it from the far deeper emotion in which the soul
was alone concerned.
Of the three divisions, the last was of so little importance that it
scarcely deserved to be named in conjunction with the others.
Mechanism increases convenience--in no degree does it confer physical
or moral perfection. The rudimentary engines employed thousands of
years ago in raising buildings were in that respect equal to the

complicated machines of the present day. Control of iron and steel has
not altered or improved the bodily man. I even debated some time
whether such a third division should be included at all. Our bodies are
now conveyed all round the world with ease, but obtain no advantage.
As they start so they return. The most perfect human families of ancient
times were almost stationary, as those of Greece. Perfection of form
was found inSparta; how small a spot compared to those continents
over which we are now taken so quickly! Such perfection of form
might perhaps again dwell, contented and complete in itself, on such a
strip of land as I could see between me and the sand of the sea. Again, a
watch keeping correct time is no guarantee that the bearer shall not
suffer pain. The owner of the watch may be soulless, without mind-fire,
a mere creature. No benefit to the heart or to the body accrues from the
most accurate mechanism. Hence I debated whether the third division
should be included. But I reflected that time cannot be put back on the
dial, we cannot return to Sparta; there is an existent state of things, and
existent multitudes; and possibly a more powerful engine, flexible to
the will, might give them that freedom which is the one, and the one
only, political or social idea I possess. For liberty, therefore, let it be
included.
For the flesh, this arm of mine, the limbs of others gracefully moving,
let me find something that will give them greater per- fection. That the
bones may be firmer, somewhat larger if that would be an advantage,
certainly stronger, that the cartilage and sinews may be more enduring,
and the muscles more powerful, something after the manner of those
ideal limbs and muscles sculptured of old, these in the flesh and real.
That the organs of the body may be stronger in their action, perfect, and
lasting. That the exterior flesh may be yet more beautiful; that the
shape may be finer, and the motions graceful. These are the soberest
words I can find, purposely chosen; for I am so rapt in the beauty of the
human form, and so earnestly, so inexpressibly, prayerful to see that
form perfect, that my full thought is not to be written. Unable to
express it fully, I have considered it best to put it in the simplest
manner of words. I believe in the human form; let me find something,
some method, by which that form may achieve the utmost beauty. Its
beauty is like an arrow, which may be shot any distance according to

the strength of the bow. So the idea expressed in the human shape is
capable of indefinite expansion and elevation of beauty.
Of the mind, the inner consciousness, the soul, my prayer desired that I
might discover a mode of life for it, so that it might not only conceive
of such a life, but actually enjoy it on the earth. I wished to search out a
new and higher set of ideas on which the mind should work. The simile
of a new book of the soul is the nearest to convey the meaning--a book
drawn from the present and future, not the past. Instead of a set of ideas
based on tradition, let me give the mind a new thought drawn straight
from the wondrous present, direct this very hour. Next, to furnish the
soul with the means of executing its will, of carrying thought into
action. In other words, for the soul to become a power. These three
formed the Lyra prayer, of which the two first are immeasurably the in
more important. I believe in the human being, mind and flesh; form and
soul.
It