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On Liberty.
May heaven, when men are into vice betrayed,
Send such assistants powerful to their aid.
Is there that idiot among humankind
Who wishes not in danger, aid to find?
Behold the mortal who free-will arraigns,
And blindly a blind destiny maintains,
See how he ponders, weighs, deliberates;
See how he loads with blame the man he hates;
How he seeks vengeance when with passion warm;
How he corrects his son and would reform.
From hence 'tis evident he thought him free,
His system and his actions disagree.
His heart belied his tongue at every word
In striving to explain this dogma so absurd:
He owns the sentiment he seems to brave;
He acts as free, discourses as a slave.
Since free, thank God who freedom did bestow,
To him the bliss that makes you blessed you owe;
Avoid with caution all the vain contest
Of those that tyrannize the human breast;
Firm in thy principles, and just in heart,
Error compassionate, with truth take part.
Do not to zeal's suggestions fierce give way,
He is a brother who is led astray;
To be humane as well as prudent strive;
From others' bliss thy happiness derive.
The angel's words resounding in my ear,
My mind was raised above this mortal sphere;
I had inquired, at length presumptuous grown,
Of things revealed to heavenly minds alone:
Send such assistants powerful to their aid.
Is there that idiot among humankind
Who wishes not in danger, aid to find?
Behold the mortal who free-will arraigns,
And blindly a blind destiny maintains,
See how he ponders, weighs, deliberates;
See how he loads with blame the man he hates;
How he seeks vengeance when with passion warm;
How he corrects his son and would reform.
From hence 'tis evident he thought him free,
His system and his actions disagree.
His heart belied his tongue at every word
In striving to explain this dogma so absurd:
He owns the sentiment he seems to brave;
He acts as free, discourses as a slave.
Since free, thank God who freedom did bestow,
To him the bliss that makes you blessed you owe;
Avoid with caution all the vain contest
Of those that tyrannize the human breast;
Firm in thy principles, and just in heart,
Error compassionate, with truth take part.
Do not to zeal's suggestions fierce give way,
He is a brother who is led astray;
To be humane as well as prudent strive;
From others' bliss thy happiness derive.
The angel's words resounding in my ear,
My mind was raised above this mortal sphere;
I had inquired, at length presumptuous grown,
Of things revealed to heavenly minds alone:
