CANTO I. 



PRODUCTION OF LIFE. 



I. BY firm immutable immortal laws 

 Impressed on Nature by the GREAT FIRST CAUSE, 

 Say, MUSE! how rose from elemental strife 

 Organic forms, and kindled into life; 

 How Love and Sympathy with potent charm 

 Warm the cold heart, the lifted hand disarm; 

 Allure with pleasures, and alarm with pains, 

 And bind Society in golden chains. 



Four past eventful Ages then recite, 

 And give the fifth, new-born of Time, to light; 10 

 The silken tissue of their joys disclose, 

 Swell with deep chords the murmur of their woes; 



