The unpredictable future

as it were in a way, so to speak

rationalism the belief in reason and logic

preceding previous, (the one) before

reason the ability to think and make wise decisions

empiricism the belief that ideas should be based on practical experience and experiments

horrendous terrible

social progress the improving of society

setting here place

filthy very dirty

fulfilment feeling of happiness and satisfaction

spirituality beliefs connected with the human spirit

dogma blind/ unquistioning faith in a certain (set of) principle(s)

exotic here foreign

give rise to cause somthing to happen

burgeoning growing, flourishing

the orient literary the countries of the East or the Far East

renowned famous

elope go away secretly to get married

pamphlet very thin book, brochure

antique extremely old

vast very large

trunkless without a torso

visage literary face, facial expression

frown moving together of the eyebrows to show worry, irritation or concentration

sneer facial expression showing disrespect

stamped on here imprinted on

mock make fun of, tease

pedestal here base (of a statue)

ye mighty you who are powerful

wreck something badly damaged or destroyed

boundless without an end

Klicka