Beginning my studies, the first step pleas’d me so much,
The mere fact, consciousness–these forms–the power of motion,
The least insect or animal–the senses–eyesight–love;
The first step, I say, aw’d me and pleas’d me so much,
I have hardly gone, and hardly wish’d to go, any farther,
But stop and loiter all the time, to sing it in extatic songs.