(seq. 67)

62

Or spoil credentials that the hugs so fast,

If this short life could put the final pause,

And seal in everlasting death the mind,

Which death itself can never rock to sleep ~

Aspatius, would you now consult your creed,

And all its inconsistencies explore,

'Twould make your soul in dread amaze recoil,

And startling, shrink into itself with haste;

As only fit to wonder at your creed ~

Good Heav'ns! the noble man the offspring dear

Of chance, that constant to inconstancy,

And proud to name thy origin from thence,

And thence derive the source of all thy bliss,

Discarding providence as fit for fools,

To plead & own themselves dependent on,

Or court protection from the fancy'd being,

That neither seea or can reward their toil,

But must resign themselves with e'vry wish

To blind fatality to discipline,

And train them up for ev'ry changing scene ~