Classic Poem

But this is learning; to have skill to throw
Reins on your body's powers that nothing know,
And fill the soul's powers, so with act and art,
That she can curb the body's angry part;
All pertubations, all affects that stray
From their one object, which is to obey
Her sovereign empire, as herself should force
Their functions only to serve her discourse;
And that, to beat the straight path of one end,
Which is, to make her substance still contend
To be God's image; in informing it
With knowledge; holy thoughts, and all forms fit
For that eternity ye seek in way
Of his sole imitation; and to sway
Your life's love so that he may still be centre
To all your pleasures; and you, here, may enter
The next life's peace; in governing so well
Your sensual parts, that you, as free may dwell
Of vulgar raptures, here, as when calm death
Dissolves that learned empire with your breath.
To teach and live thus is the only use
And end of Learning.