Page:The Bible of Nature, and Substance of Virtue.djvu/46

Which from firm premises true reason draws,
And a deep insight into Nature's laws.
But now to chase these phantoms out of sight
By the plain magic of true reason's light.
How thunder, storm, and how swift lightning flies,
Singeing with fiery wings the wounded skies;
Lest superstitious you observe the flame,
If those quick fires from lucky quarters came,
Or with sad omen fell, and how they burn
Through closest stones, and waste, and then return.
'Tis then, the dreadful thunder roars aloud,
When fighting winds drive heavy cloud on cloud.
But if these bolts were thrown by gods above
Or if they were the proper arms of Jove,
Why do the daring wicked still provoke,
Why still sin on secure from thunder's stroke?
Why are not such shot through, and plac'd on high,
As sad examples of impiety,
That men may sin no more, no more defy?
And why doth heedless lightning blast the good,
And break his bones, or curdle all his blood?
Why good and pious men these bolts endure?
And villains live, and see their fall secure!
Why do they throw them o'er a desert plain,
Why through the empty woods, and toil in vain?
Why strike the floods? what mean such bolts as these?
What, is't to check the fury of the seas?
Besides, why doth he beat the temples down,
Those of his fellow gods, and of his own,
Why doth he hurt, and break the sacred stone?