Note 253 — Chapter IX · ROMANTIC MELANCHOLY
Reading edition
Chesterton is anticipated in this paradox by Wordsworth:
In youth we love the darksome lawn Brushed by the owlet’s wing. Then Twilight is preferred to Dawn And autumn to the spring. Sad fancies do we then affect In luxury of disrespect To our own prodigal excess Of too familiar happiness. Ode to Lycoris.