IN THE MOON.
21
To treat the World with what is fit,
And proper to its nat'ral Wit;
415 The World, that never sets Esteem
On what Things are, but what they seem;
And, if they be not strange and new,
Th'are ne'er the better for b'ing true.
For, what has Mankind gain'd by knowing
420 His little Truth, but his Undoing,
Which wisely was by Nature hidden,
And only for his Good forbidden?
And, therefore, with great Prudence does
The World still strive to keep it close;
425 For if all secret Truths were known,
Who would not be once more undone?
For Truth has always Danger in't,
And here, perhaps, may cross some Hint,
We have already agreed upon,
430 And vainly frustrate all we've done;
Only to make new Work for Stubs,
And all the academick Clubs.
How much then ought we have a Care,
That no Man know above his Share;
435 Nor dare to understand, henceforth,
More than his Contribution's worth:
And proper to its nat'ral Wit;
415 The World, that never sets Esteem
On what Things are, but what they seem;
And, if they be not strange and new,
Th'are ne'er the better for b'ing true.
For, what has Mankind gain'd by knowing
420 His little Truth, but his Undoing,
Which wisely was by Nature hidden,
And only for his Good forbidden?
And, therefore, with great Prudence does
The World still strive to keep it close;
425 For if all secret Truths were known,
Who would not be once more undone?
For Truth has always Danger in't,
And here, perhaps, may cross some Hint,
We have already agreed upon,
430 And vainly frustrate all we've done;
Only to make new Work for Stubs,
And all the academick Clubs.
How much then ought we have a Care,
That no Man know above his Share;
435 Nor dare to understand, henceforth,
More than his Contribution's worth:
versions upen the History of the Royal Society. Lond. 1670. 4to.———In which he is no less severe upon the Labours of that learned Body, than he is upon the Manner of their Historian's setting them forth.
473.
