45
That, even ignorant of nature's laws,
He yet ascends unto the first great Cause;
And, dark in all the mysteries of earth,
Yet rises conscious of a heavenly birth?
Is it tradition that thus guides him time,
And reads creation to his wondering view;
Or, with instinctive knowledge, does he soar
Above all lesser works, and God adore?
Oh! not tradition—for time's whelming flood
Has swept away the beautiful and good,
The wealth of nations, sciences, and art,
All that of life hath formed the noblest part,
Discoveries, changes, and improvement's tide,
And man too often o'er the wreck hath sighed;
Nor instinct—for a loftier reason gives
The sacred hope, in every breast that lives.—
Ask the poor savage why he trusts a God?
The Arab cries, My camel's steps have trod
In desert sands, and left their traces there;
I trace my steed even in that empty air;
And thus, in all around and all above,
I see a mighty spirit work and move!
'T is in his works that thus our Maker lives;
The simple reason that the Arab gives,
Becomes to us the inference of the heart:
Creation breathes of love in every part.—
He yet ascends unto the first great Cause;
And, dark in all the mysteries of earth,
Yet rises conscious of a heavenly birth?
Is it tradition that thus guides him time,
And reads creation to his wondering view;
Or, with instinctive knowledge, does he soar
Above all lesser works, and God adore?
Oh! not tradition—for time's whelming flood
Has swept away the beautiful and good,
The wealth of nations, sciences, and art,
All that of life hath formed the noblest part,
Discoveries, changes, and improvement's tide,
And man too often o'er the wreck hath sighed;
Nor instinct—for a loftier reason gives
The sacred hope, in every breast that lives.—
Ask the poor savage why he trusts a God?
The Arab cries, My camel's steps have trod
In desert sands, and left their traces there;
I trace my steed even in that empty air;
And thus, in all around and all above,
I see a mighty spirit work and move!
'T is in his works that thus our Maker lives;
The simple reason that the Arab gives,
Becomes to us the inference of the heart:
Creation breathes of love in every part.—
