Classic Poem

What Creatures in this World besides Mankind,
That can such Arts and new Inventions find?
Or has such Fancies as to Similize ,
Or can so Rule and Govern as the Wise?
Or that can by his Wit his Mind indite,
Can Numbers set, and subtile Letters write?
What Creature else but Man can speak true Sense,
At Distance give and take Intelligence?
What Creature else by Reason can abate
All Passions , can raise Doubts, Hopes, Love and Hate?
That can so many Countenances show,
Which are the Ground by which Affections grow?
He has several Dresses which the Mind puts on,
Some serve as Veils , which over it are thrown.

What Creature 's this, that has such piercing Eyes,
That mingles Souls , and in fast Friendship ties?
What Creature else but Man has such delights,
So Various , and such Strong, Odd Appetites?
Man can Distill , and is a Chymist rare,
Divides and Sep'rates Water, Fire, and Air;
He can Divide , and doth Asunder take
All Nature's Works , whatever she can make;
Can take the Breadth, Depth, Length , and Height of things,
And know the Virtue of each Plant that springs;
Make Creatures all submit unto his Will ,
And Live by Fame , though Death his Body Kill:
What else, but Man, can Nature imitate,
With th' Pen and Pencil can new Worlds create?
In States and Kingdoms is with Power grac'd,
In Rank above his Brethren often plac'd;
No Being but the Gods so great as H E ,
Yet I his abject Slave will never be:
In Liberty was born, and ever will be F REE .