light in creation, the second finds
delight in discovery: between them
they divide one of the greatest joys
known to men. Wagner somewhere
says that the greatest joy possible to
man is the putting forth of creative
activity so spontaneously that the
critical faculty is, for the time being,
asleep. The purest joy known to
the reader is a perception of the
beauty and power of a work of art
so fresh and instantaneous that it
completely absorbs the whole nature.
Analysis, criticism, and judicial ap-
praisement come later; the first
moment must be surrendered to the
joy of discovery.

Heine has recorded the overpow-
ering impression made upon him by
the first glimpse of the Venus of
Melos. An experience so extreme
in emotional quality could come only

[[59]]

p058 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p059w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p060

v?