The Powers of the Pen A poem addressed to John Curre ... By E. Lloyd ... The second edition, with large additions |
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 | The Powers of the Pen |  |
“We cannot praise this Quill too much,
“Quick, as Ithuriel's Spear, its Touch,
“Can strip the thick Disguise of Art,
“And reach the Secrets of the Heart,
“Ourselves unto ourselves can shew,
“And teach the Passions how to grow
“With native Vigour; unconfin'd
“By those vile Shackles, which the Mind
“Wears in the School of Art, whose Plan
“May make a May'r, but not a Man.
“Can trace the hidden Source, whence springs
“Subjects Allegiance unto Kings;
“Can from the Code of Nature draw
“An Institute of moral Law.
“And when with daring Flight of Thought,
“Religion's purest Altar's sought,
“All vain are Tortures, Racks, and Wheels,
“'Tis Reason only that it feels;
“It dares the Whore of Rome oppose,
“Dealing Damnation to her Foes:
“Yet will no Heresies admit,
“To gratify the Pride of Wit,
“But Truth's straight path intent to keep,
“Earnest is each Research, and deep;
“And where it is its Fate to err,
“Honest its Error, and sincere—
“There were but two of these Pens made,
“Since Writing has commenc'd a Trade,
“And we have only this to shew,
“It's Mate was purchas'd by Rousseau.”—
“Quick, as Ithuriel's Spear, its Touch,
“Can strip the thick Disguise of Art,
“And reach the Secrets of the Heart,
“Ourselves unto ourselves can shew,
“And teach the Passions how to grow
“With native Vigour; unconfin'd
“By those vile Shackles, which the Mind
“Wears in the School of Art, whose Plan
“May make a May'r, but not a Man.
“Can trace the hidden Source, whence springs
“Subjects Allegiance unto Kings;
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“An Institute of moral Law.
“And when with daring Flight of Thought,
“Religion's purest Altar's sought,
“All vain are Tortures, Racks, and Wheels,
“'Tis Reason only that it feels;
“It dares the Whore of Rome oppose,
“Dealing Damnation to her Foes:
“Yet will no Heresies admit,
“To gratify the Pride of Wit,
“But Truth's straight path intent to keep,
“Earnest is each Research, and deep;
“And where it is its Fate to err,
“Honest its Error, and sincere—
“There were but two of these Pens made,
“Since Writing has commenc'd a Trade,
“And we have only this to shew,
“It's Mate was purchas'd by Rousseau.”—
| The Powers of the Pen | |