ODE XIV.
[Nothing in Nature can be certaine fixt]
1
Nothing in Nature can be certaine fixt,
But to the mover's will;
All varie, in their Motions strangelie mixt;
Nothing but changeth Still.
And what wee 'count in Nature monstrous,
Is nothing lesse;
It is to vs;
But is a true production, to expresse
The Maker infinite, to noe rules Tyed;
And 'tis his Power to be Diversifyed.
2
Is there a certaine growth in any Tree?
Or Shrub, or humble plant?
Are wee made Iudges which most perfect be,
Or which perfection want?
Shall wee assume vnto the giddie Sence,
What is beyond
All the pretence
Of humane Reason, certainlie to find?
Perhaps the crooked Hawthorne (to the Eye
Of Nature) is as right as Cedars high.
3
'Tis the same hand which clad the blushing Rose,
Which did the Henbane dresse;
The fragrant violet by his bountie growes,
And loathsome weeds noe lesse;
Hee makes the various Tulip please the Eye;
And yet his Care
Doth not denye
To the poore Dazie, happilie as deare;
And sure the vulgar marigold may Cope,
In Nature, with the faméd Heliotrope.
4
Nor did he bid, what wee account most faire,
The Apple, Plumme, or Grape,
Be cherisht more, in Nature's equall Care,
Then her less-valued Heape.
The Crab and Sloae, he doth alike protect;
Nor brambles base
Doth he neglect;
But as the supreme Rector in Each place,
Doth the whole Creature with his bountie fill:
Thus Nature is Expression of his will.
5
How is a Camel better in his Shape
Then the despiséd Gnat?
Why doe wee wonder at the Mimicke Ape?
Or the Rude Parrot's chat?
The Squirrel is as worthy, and the wren
A better note:
Is not the Hen
And her brave Husband, in his golden Coat,
Fair as the Phasiant? or in Nature's Eyes
Perhaps as dear as Birds of Paradice.
6
The Sea, of Water cannot onlie boast;
Nor doth his hand Sustaine
Onlie great Rivers, or the great ones most;
For Hee who gvides the maine,
Is the same Providence to the least Spring;
Not only Thames,
But where I sing,
The fameles Devia, equall bountie claimes:
There will I shade my browes, and bring a Store
Of better verse, to Sing his wonders ore.
