The fleet astronomer can bore

And thread the spheres with his quick-piercing mind;

He views their stations, walks from door to door,

Surveys, as if he had design'd

To make a purchase there; he sees their dances,

And knoweth long before

Both their full-eyed [27]aspects [65] and secret glances.

The nimble diver with his side

Cuts through the working waves, that he may fetch

His dearly-earnéd pearl; which GOD did hide

On purpose from the venturous wretch,

That He might save his life, and also hers

Who with excessive pride

Her own destruction and his danger wears.

The subtle chymick can divest

And strip the creature naked, till he find

The [28]callow principles [66] within their nest:

There he imparts to them his mind,

Admitted to their bed-chamber, before

They appear trim and drest

To ordinary suitors at the door.

What hath not man sought out and found,

But his dear GOD? Who yet His glorious law

Embosoms in us, mellowing the ground

With showers and frosts, with love and awe;

So that we need not say, Where's this command?

-- Poor man, thou searchest round

To find out death, but missest life at hand!

---

Footnotes:

[65] aspects, see Note

[66] callow principles, see Note