Classic Poem

ODE XIV

1

Nothing in Nature, can be certaine fixt,
  But to the movers will;
All varie; in their Motions, strangelie mixt.
  Nothing but changeth Still;
 And what wee 'count in Nature monstrous
Is nothing lesse;
It is, to us;
 But is a true production, to expresse
The Maker infinite, to noe rules Tyed;
And tis his Power, to be Diversifyed.

2

Is there a certaine growth, in any Tree?
  Or Shrub, or humble plant?
Are wee made Judges, which most perfect be,
  Or which, perfection want?
 Shall wee assume unto the giddie Sence
What is beyond
All the pretence
 Of humane Reason certainlie to find!
Perhaps the crooked Hawthorne (to the Eye
Of Nature) is as right as Cedars high.

3

Tis the same hand, which clad the blushing Rose,
  Which did the Henbane dresse;
The fragrant violet, by his bountie growes
  And loathsome weeds, noe lesse;
 Hee makes the various Tulip, please the Eye,
And yet his Care
Doth not denye
 To the poore Dazie, happilie as deare:
And sure, the vulgar Marigold may Cope
In Nature, with the famed Heliotrope.

4

Nor did he bid, what wee account most faire:
  The Apple, Plumme, or Grape
Be cherisht more, in Natures equall Care,
  Then her less-valued Heape;
 The Crab, and Sloae he doth alike protect;
Nor brambles base
Doth he neglect;
 But as the supreme Rector in Each place
Doth the whole Creature, with his bountie fill:
Thus Nature is Expression of his will.

5

How is a Camel better, in his Shape,
  Then the despised Gnat?
Why doe wee wonder at the Mimicke Ape,
  Or the Rude Parrot's chat?
 The Squirrel is as worthy; and the wren
A better note.
Is not the Hen
 And her brave Husband, in his golden Coat,
Fair, as the Phasiant? or in Natures Eyes
Perhaps as dear, as Birds of Paradice?

6

The Sea of Water, cannot onlie boast;
  Nor doth his hand Sustaine
Onlie great Rivers; or the great ones most;
  For Hee who guides the maine
 Is the same Providence to the least Spring;
Not only Thames,
But where I sing
 The fameles Devia, equall bountie claimes:
There will I shade my browes, and bring a Store
Of better verse, to Sing his wonders ore.