Poems of Freneau | ||
SCIENCE,
Favourable to Virtue.
This mind, in this uncertain state,
Is anxious to investigate
All knowledge through creation sown,
And would no atom leave unknown.
Is anxious to investigate
All knowledge through creation sown,
And would no atom leave unknown.
So warm, so ardent in research,
To wisdom's source she fain would march;
And find by study, toil, and care
The secrets of all nature there.
To wisdom's source she fain would march;
And find by study, toil, and care
The secrets of all nature there.
Vain wish, to fathom all we see,
For nature is all mystery;
The mind, though perch'd on eagle's wings,
With pain surmounts the scum of things.
For nature is all mystery;
The mind, though perch'd on eagle's wings,
With pain surmounts the scum of things.
Her knowledge on the surface floats,
Of things supreme she dreams or dotes;
Fluttering awhile, she soon descends,
And all in disappointment ends.
Of things supreme she dreams or dotes;
Fluttering awhile, she soon descends,
And all in disappointment ends.
And yet this proud, this strong desire,
Such ardent longings to aspire,
Prove that this weakness in the mind
For some wise purpose was designed.
Such ardent longings to aspire,
Prove that this weakness in the mind
For some wise purpose was designed.
From efforts and attempts, like these,
Virtue is gained by slow degrees;
And science, which from truth she draws,
Stands firm on Reason and her cause.
Virtue is gained by slow degrees;
And science, which from truth she draws,
Stands firm on Reason and her cause.
417
However small, its use we find
To tame and civilize mankind,
To throw the brutal instinct by,
To honour Reason, ere we die.
To tame and civilize mankind,
To throw the brutal instinct by,
To honour Reason, ere we die.
The lovely philanthropic scheme
(Great image of the power supreme,)
On growth of science must depend;
With this all human duties end.
(Great image of the power supreme,)
On growth of science must depend;
With this all human duties end.
1809
Poems of Freneau | ||