 | The Works of Mr. Henry Needler |  |
Learned Ignorance. Translated from GROTIUS.
Nature ordains, whilst here we dwell below,That much we should admire, and little know;
In secret Labyrinths her self she hides,
And our defeated Cares and fruitless Search derides.
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Would All within his narrow Mind contain;
Who, with a greedy lust of Knowledge fraught,
Disdains of his own Ignorance the Thought,
Beyond the Lot of Human-Kind aspires,
And fondly things Impossible desires.
Where this first Error can Admission gain,
It draws of worse Mistakes a fatal Train;
For He, who rashly will of All decide,
Must oft' with Falshood sooth his learned Pride,
Ixion-like thin Clouds of Error chace,
And Shadows clasp in his deceiv'd Embrace.
Far more secure and peaceful is the Mind,
Whose Search, to plain and useful Truths confin'd,
Does dark uncertain Subtilties despise,
Nor cares to follow what the Seeker flies.
The Wilful Ignorance of trivial things
From Wisdom oft', and well-poiz'd Judgment springs.
| The Works of Mr. Henry Needler | |