Page:The Bible of Nature, and Substance of Virtue.djvu/44

For often when they climb the tedious way,
And now in th' reach of top where honors lay,
Quick strokes from envy, as from thunder thrown
Tumble the bold aspiring wretches down;
They find a grave, who strove to reach a crown.
Thus monarchy was lost.———
That sun once set, a thousand little stars
Gave a dim light to jealousies and wars,
Whilst each among the many sought the throne,
And thought no head like his deserv'd the crown.
This made them seek for laws, this led their choice
To rulers; power was given by public voice.
For men worn out, and tir'd by constant strife,
At last began to wish an easy life,
And so submitted of their own accord
To rigid laws, and their elected lord.
For when each single man, led on by rage,
Grew bloody in revenge, and strove t' engage
His enemy; 't was an unpleasant age.
Hence men grew weary of continual wars,
Which sour'd the sweet of life with constant fears;
Because diffusive wrong can spread o'er all,
No state secure, nay oft the wrongs recoil,
With double force on the contrivers fall:
Nor can those men expect to live at ease,
Who violate the common bonds of peace.
Though now they lie concealed from man and god,
They still must fear 'twill sometimes come abroad.
Why all do bow to somewhat as divine?
Why every nation hath its proper shrine?
Why all do temples build, why altars raise?
And why all sacrifice on sacred days?
How this diffus'd, this lasting fame was spread
Of powers above? Whence came that awful dread?
In heaven they placed their seat, their stately throne;
For there the sun, the stars, and various moon,
And day, and night, their constant courses run.
And hail, and rain, and through a broken cloud
Swift lightning flies, and thunder roars aloud.
Unhappy man, who taught, the gods engage
In these, that they are subject unto rage,