Pocahontas and Other Poems (New York)/Science and Religion
SCIENCE AND RELIGION.
"What gives the mind this globe of earth to scan,
And chains brute instinct at the feet of man?
Bids the red comet on its car of flame
Reveal its periods and declare its name?
With deathless radiance gilds the historic page,
And reaps the laurels of a buried age?"
Majestic Science, from his cloister'd shrine,
Heard and replied, "This glorious power is mine."
"But say, canst thou the erring spirit lead,
That feels its weakness and deplores its need?
Canst thou the prison of despair illume?
Find sin a pardon, or disarm the tomb?"
With silent scorn the suppliant voice he spurn'd,
And to his ponderous tomes indignant turn'd.
Then from the cell, where long she dwelt apart,
Her humble mansion in the contrite heart,
Religion came; and where proud Science fail'd,
She bent her knee to earth, and with her Sire prevail'd.