The Amaranth Or, religious poems; consisting of fables, visions, emblems, etc. Adorned with copper-plates from the best masters [by Walter Harte] |
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The Amaranth | ||
7.
The men of Science aim themselves to show ,And know just what imports them not to know .
[Once having miss'd the truth, they farther stray:
As men ride fastest who have lost their way;]
Whilst the poor peasant that with daily care
Improves his lands and offers Heav'n his pray'r,
With conscious boldness may produce his face
Where proud philosophers shall want a place.
Philosophy in anxious doubts expires:
Religion trims her lamp, as life retires.
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Maintains its sterling pureness to the last.
Conscience will ev'ry pious act attest :
A silent panegyrist, but the best!
“It is good to know much and live well: but, if we cannot attain both, it is better to desire piety than learning: for knowledge makes no man truly happy, nor doth happiness consist in intellectual acquisitions. The only valuable thing is a religious life.” Sti. Greg. Magn. Moral.
And again: “That only is the best knowledge which makes us better.”
The Amaranth | ||