Classic Poem

As thus he spake, each bird and beast behold
Approaching two and two, these cow'ring low
With blandishment, each bird stooped on his wing.
I named them as they passed, and understood
Their nature; with such knowledge God endued
My sudden apprehension. But in these
I found not what me thought I wanted still,
And to the heav'nly Vision thus presumed:
" O by what name, for thou above all these,
Above mankind, or aught than mankind higher,
Surpassest far my naming, how may I
Adore thee, Author of this universe,
And all this good to man, for whose well-being
So amply, and with hands so liberal
Thou hast provided all things? But with me
I see not who partakes. In solitude
What happiness? Who can enjoy alone,
Or all enjoying, what contentment find?"
Thus I presumptuous; and the Vision bright,
As with a smile more brightened, thus replied:
" What call'st thou solitude? Is not the earth
With various living creatures, and the air
Replenished, and all these at thy command
To come and play before thee? Know'st thou not
Their language and their ways? They also know,
And reason not contemptibly; with these
Find pastime, and bear rule; thy realm is large."
So spake the universal Lord, and seemed
So ordering. I with leave of speech implored,
And humble deprecation, thus replied:
" Let not my words offend thee, heav'nly Power;
My Maker, be propitious while I speak.
Hast thou not made me here thy substitute,
And these inferior far beneath me set?
Among unequals what society
Can sort, what harmony or true delight?
Which must be mutual, in proportion due
Giv'n and received; but in disparity,
The one intense, the other still remiss
Cannot well suit with either, but soon prove
Tedious alike. Of fellowship I speak
Such as I seek, fit to participate
All rational delight, wherein the brute
Cannot be human consort; they rejoice
Each with their kind, lion with lioness;
So fitly them in pairs thou hast combined;
Much less can bird with beast, or fish with fowl
So well converse, nor with the ox the ape;
Worse then can man with beast, and least of all."
Whereto th'Almighty answered, not displeased:
" A nice and subtle happiness, I see,
Thou to thyself proposest, in the choice
Of thy associates, Adam, and wilt taste
No pleasure, though in pleasure, solitary."

Then wonder not to see this Soul extend
The bounds, and seek some other self, a Friend:
As swelling Seas to gentle Rivers glide,
To seek repose, and empty out the Tide;
So this full Soul, in narrow limits pent,
Unable to contain her, sought a vent,
To issue out, and in some friendly breast
Discharge her Treasures, and securely rest:
T'unbosom all the secrets of her Heart,
Take good advice, but better to impart.
For 'tis the bliss of Friendship's holy state
To mix their Minds, and to communicate;
Though Bodies cannot, Souls can penetrate.
Fixt to her choice; inviolably true;
And wisely choosing, for she chose but few.
Some she must have; but in no one could find
A Tally fitted for so large a Mind.
The Souls of Friends like Kings in Progress are;
Still in their own, though from the Palace far:
Thus her Friend's Heart her Country Dwelling was,
A sweet Retirement to a coarser place:
Where Pomp and Ceremonies enter'd not;
Where Greatness was shut out, and Bus'ness well forgot.