On the Nature of Man.
297
But though I'm oracle and master here,
I should be raised to a more glorious sphere."
The angels then, who in high heaven control
The wandering orbs, and teach them how to roll,
Exclaimed, whilst at their will they moved each ball:
"God for our pleasure has created all."
Then earth with pity and with scorn they eyed,
And laughed at mortals and at human pride.
Their secret thoughts were all to Fien[1] known,
He summoned them before the eternal throne.
Each varied being, angel, beast, and man,
All that compose the Almighty's wondrous plan,
"You are my creatures, I call you all mine,
You bear," said He, "my character divine;
To me you all, as to your centre, tend;
For me you all were made, on me depend:
I rule at once o'er Nature, Time, and Fate;
By me each being is assigned its state.
Imperfect creatures! you aspire in vain,
In your own stations satisfied remain."
Man still was discontented with his place,
Still at their lot repined the human race.
A learned Chinese, grown old in fierce dispute,
Who reason could by argument confute,
With logic of Confucius quite possessed,
In form to God presented his request:
"Why is my time a second? Why my space
A point? Why falls so soon the human race?
I should be raised to a more glorious sphere."
The angels then, who in high heaven control
The wandering orbs, and teach them how to roll,
Exclaimed, whilst at their will they moved each ball:
"God for our pleasure has created all."
Then earth with pity and with scorn they eyed,
And laughed at mortals and at human pride.
Their secret thoughts were all to Fien[1] known,
He summoned them before the eternal throne.
Each varied being, angel, beast, and man,
All that compose the Almighty's wondrous plan,
"You are my creatures, I call you all mine,
You bear," said He, "my character divine;
To me you all, as to your centre, tend;
For me you all were made, on me depend:
I rule at once o'er Nature, Time, and Fate;
By me each being is assigned its state.
Imperfect creatures! you aspire in vain,
In your own stations satisfied remain."
Man still was discontented with his place,
Still at their lot repined the human race.
A learned Chinese, grown old in fierce dispute,
Who reason could by argument confute,
With logic of Confucius quite possessed,
In form to God presented his request:
"Why is my time a second? Why my space
A point? Why falls so soon the human race?
- ↑ God is called by this name in the Chinese language.
