University of Virginia Library


117

[XII. Interpreter of the Pure Reason's laws]

Interpreter of the Pure Reason's laws,
And all the obligations Thought doth owe
These high ambassadors of her great cause;
Philosopher! whose rare discernments show
Apt mastery of her surpassing skill,
And why each thought and thing is inly so
Conceived and fashioned in the plastic Will;
Thou Reason's canons dost so well maintain,
With such adhesive and sincere regard,
That every deviator seeks in vain
To escape thy apprehension; evil-starred,
With Dante's sophisters they writhe in pain.
Then from thy judgment-seat, dismissed with ruth,
Thou lead'st the stumblers in the way of truth.