"That God doth all events foresee— That every human aft is free— Are truths, when sep'rate, plain and clear; But join'd,—perplex'd and dark appear. Declare then, what discordant cause Puzzles and clouds perspicuous laws? Can things indisputably true Involve an inconsistence too? Who can the unloose, And this deep mystery disclose? The Heav'n-born mind, perhaps, you'll say, Encumber'd with this load of clay, Cannot perceive the secret ties Of things, and nice dependencies.— Why does she then with ardour glow, Matters beyond her reach to know? Knows she the secret she would gain? Then Sure—She would not toil in vain. If, weak and blind, she knows it not, Why gropes she for she knows not what? None wish for what they never knew, Nor matters wholly hid pursue.— But grant,—that after search profound She finds it;—can she say 'tis found? Each mark unknown of what she sought, Dares she assert—the prize is got? The soul at first, then, shall we say, Illum'd with a celestial ray, From Wisdom's beaming source that springs, Knew all the secret chains of things:— But sent from Heav'n's pure light to dwell In this corporeal sluggish cell; Tho' clouds the intellectual bright O'ercast, and dim her native light. Clear marks of her celestial strain, And Heav'n-taught knowledge, still remain; Truth's outlines fair are still imprest Distinctly on the human breast; Tho' individuals are forgot, The sum of things unknown is not. In Science, then, who strive to grow, Studious reflect on what they know, And calm investigate again The truths their minds did once retain. Hence learn they to philosophize, And open Nature's mysteries."