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On the Nature of Man.
A man in little time may sure live long,
This I could prove by reasons very strong;
But authors should not to instruct aspire,
Who speaks too much is ever sure to tire.
Thus did my muse, in simple, artless strain,
And various tones, strive nature to explain;
Whilst Frenchmen wandered, and, with piercing eyes,
At Quito hoped to see new stars arise;
Whilst Maupertuis and Clairaut Europe praised,
And Lapland at their new meridian gazed;
While rival of the old Prometheus fame,
Vacanson brings to man celestial flame,
Boldly to copy nature's self aspires,
And bodies animates with heavenly fires.
Remote from cities, on Parnassus' shore
I passed my days, intent on learned lore;
And from the sphere, where Milton, unconfined,
At pleasure roved, where pierced great Newton's mind,
I saw them soar, with emulation fired,
Genius sublime and arts my soul admired;
Slanderers in me beheld their foes professed,
Fanatics wild, informers I detest;
I know no envy, or perfidious art,
I worship God with pure and upright heart;
And though my body's with diseases spent,
My active mind on study is intent;
I live convinced that while we here remain,
To hope for perfect happiness is vain.
This I could prove by reasons very strong;
But authors should not to instruct aspire,
Who speaks too much is ever sure to tire.
Thus did my muse, in simple, artless strain,
And various tones, strive nature to explain;
Whilst Frenchmen wandered, and, with piercing eyes,
At Quito hoped to see new stars arise;
Whilst Maupertuis and Clairaut Europe praised,
And Lapland at their new meridian gazed;
While rival of the old Prometheus fame,
Vacanson brings to man celestial flame,
Boldly to copy nature's self aspires,
And bodies animates with heavenly fires.
Remote from cities, on Parnassus' shore
I passed my days, intent on learned lore;
And from the sphere, where Milton, unconfined,
At pleasure roved, where pierced great Newton's mind,
I saw them soar, with emulation fired,
Genius sublime and arts my soul admired;
Slanderers in me beheld their foes professed,
Fanatics wild, informers I detest;
I know no envy, or perfidious art,
I worship God with pure and upright heart;
And though my body's with diseases spent,
My active mind on study is intent;
I live convinced that while we here remain,
To hope for perfect happiness is vain.
