Classic Poem

On Reason we depend in vain!
'Tis Pride supports her feeble Reign — —
Hear how young Curio 's Soul was tost;
'Till in it's own Conclusions lost!

Where shall an erring Mortal find
A certain Rule to guide his Mind?
The False and Real how discern,
In Matters of the last Concern?

Faith soars aloft, on Eagles Wings;
And sees, and dares, the greatest Things:
Receives an Olive-Branch above;
And downward bears the Pledge of Love.

But mimic Fancy too aspires,
Wing'd with vain Hopes, and wild Desires:
In Tinsel cloath'd, as Faith in Gold,
She takes her Name, and talks as bold.

Our eager Souls, transported, meet
The seeming Good, the present Sweet;
And while we boast triumphant Grace,
A Phantom fills the fond Embrace!

Soon as the gilded Cheat appears,
We shrink, and own our conscious Fears — —
Fresh shadowy Forms the Flight renew!
Still the Delusion we pursue!

How shall we Things distinguish so]
As each disguis'd Deceit to know?
As ev'ry Salley to prevent,
Which cool Reflection must repent?

There is a Rule, the Church replies ;
And gravely tells us where it lies:
But human Nature swells with Pride;
And Reason will be satisfy'd.

It cannot be, that Heav'n design'd
To take its Image from the Mind!
To thinking Creatures must belong
A Pow'r to judge of Right and Wrong.

Yet what this Pow'r, and where conceal'd — —
Suspended here our Souls are held — —
If in them dwells a perfect Guide,
Why do the most observing slide?

Thus, wand'ring on from Thought to Thought,
Deep Causes long he anxious sought;
But Reason try'd her Line in vain — —
Nor could his Wit the Flight sustain.

Convinc'd, abash'd, his Hands he spread;
And, humbly silent, bow'd his Head — —
A glorious Guide appear'd at length!
He bless'd his Wisdom , and his Strength !