TIROCINIUM. IT is not from his form, in which we trace 5 But borrows all its grandeur from the soul. 10 Here is the state, the splendour, and the throne, An intellectual kingdom, all her own. For her the Mem'ry fills her ample page With truths pcur'd down from ev'ry distant age · For her amasses an unbounded store, 15 The wisdom of great nations, now no more ; Though laden, not encumber'd with her spoil; When copiously supplied, then most enlarg'd, 20 26 With flow'r and fruit the wilderness supplies, For her the Judgment, umpire in the strife, That Grace and Nature have to wage through life, 30 Quick-sighted arbiter of good and ill, Appointed sage preceptor to the will, Condemns, approves, and with a faithful voice Why did the fiat of a God give birth 35 40 45 50 And crown'd it with the majesty of man. Thus form'd, thus plac'd, intelligent, and taught, Look where he will, the wonders God has wrought, The wildest scorner of his Maker's laws 55 Finds in a sober moment time to pause. To press th' important question on his heart, "Why form'd at all, and wherefore as thou art ?” Ilis crimes and follies with an aching eye; 65 And if, soon after having burn'd, by turns, Truths, that the learn'd pursue with eager thought, Are not important always as dear bought, Proving at last, though told in pompous strains, 75 With such a lustre, he that runs may read. "Tis true, that if to trifle life away 80 Down to the sunset of their latest day, Then perish on futurity's wide shore, Like fleeting exhalations, found no more, Were all that Heav'n requir'd of human kind, 85 What none could rev'rence all might justly blame, And man would breathe but for his Maker's shame. But reason heard, and nature well perus'd, At once the dreaming mind is disabus'd. 90 If all we find possessing earth, sea, air, Reflect his attributes who plac'd them there, Fulfil the purpose, and appear design'd Proofs of the wisdom of the all-seeing Mind, 'Tis plain the creature, whom he chose t' invest 95 With kingship and dominion o'er the rest, Receiv'd his nobler naturo, and was Made Fit for the pow'r in which he stands array'd; That first, or last, hereafter, if not here, He too might make his author's wisdom clear, VOL. II. 100 |