A Poem on Nature In Imitation of Lucretius. To which is Added, A Description of the Foetus in the Womb, In a Letter to the late Duke of Buckinghamshire, on his Dutchess being declar'd Pregnant. By the late Bevill Higgons |
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A Description of the Fœtus in the Womb.
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 | A Poem on Nature |  |
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A Description of the Fœtus in the Womb.
In Nature's Dock hangs on the Stocks of Life,
At once the Pain, and Hope of teeming Wife;
In ambient Waters floating, safely rides,
Which guard from every Bruise his tender Sides;
Till nine Lunations the soft Form compleat,
In the tempestuous World his Fate to meet.
The Strings unty'd in the convulsive Strife,
He drops, and sprawls to the Frontiers of Life:
And while the Floods descend to help his Way,
Leaves his dark Cell, and launches into Day.
At once the Pain, and Hope of teeming Wife;
In ambient Waters floating, safely rides,
Which guard from every Bruise his tender Sides;
Till nine Lunations the soft Form compleat,
In the tempestuous World his Fate to meet.
The Strings unty'd in the convulsive Strife,
He drops, and sprawls to the Frontiers of Life:
And while the Floods descend to help his Way,
Leaves his dark Cell, and launches into Day.
MORAL.
Turn back, thou Fool, O whither wilt thou run?No sooner born, but doom'd to be undone!
If Honour's rugged Paths thou dar'st to tread,
A thousand Ills wait thy devoted Head:
Contempt and Poverty resolve to bear,
The common Lot which falls to Virtue's Share;
But if, to Vice and Luxury inclin'd,
Thou wilt the Penance in Enjoyment find.
A sad Account! When balanc'd, Loss and Gain,
Each Hour of Pleasure has its Day of Pain.
| A Poem on Nature | |