Medulla Poetarum Romanorum Or, the Most Beautiful and Instructive Passages of the Roman Poets. Being a Collection, (Disposed under proper Heads,) Of such Descriptions, Allusions, Comparisons, Characters, and Sentiments, as may best serve to shew the Religion, Learning, Politicks, Arts, Customs, Opinions, Manners, and Circumstances of the Antients. With Translations of the same in English Verse. By Mr. Henry Baker |
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Reason.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Reason.
—Reason's Force can pierce
The deep Recesses of the Universe:
No Bars can stop it: thro' the World it flies,
And Heav'n itself lies open to it's Eyes.—
The deep Recesses of the Universe:
No Bars can stop it: thro' the World it flies,
And Heav'n itself lies open to it's Eyes.—
Think not thy Power too small, too weak thy Mind,
Because it's to a little Body joyn'd:
For wondrous is it's Force:—how small a Mass
Of standard Gold exceeds vast Heaps of Brass!
How little is the Apple of the Eye!
And yet, at once, it takes in half the Sky:
How vast the Disproportion to the Sense!
The Organ small, the Object is immense.
So, from the narrow Limits of the Heart,
The active Soul does vig'rous Life impart
To all the Limbs: it's Sway the Members own,
And wide it's Empire spreads around it's Throne.
Regard thy Powers, O Man! nor heed thy Size:
In piercing Reason thy Advantage lies;
Reason that conquers all, and rules the Skies.—
Because it's to a little Body joyn'd:
295
Of standard Gold exceeds vast Heaps of Brass!
How little is the Apple of the Eye!
And yet, at once, it takes in half the Sky:
How vast the Disproportion to the Sense!
The Organ small, the Object is immense.
So, from the narrow Limits of the Heart,
The active Soul does vig'rous Life impart
To all the Limbs: it's Sway the Members own,
And wide it's Empire spreads around it's Throne.
Regard thy Powers, O Man! nor heed thy Size:
In piercing Reason thy Advantage lies;
Reason that conquers all, and rules the Skies.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |