CANTO in. PROGRESS OF THE MIND. 



To express his wishes and his wants designed 



Language, the means, distinguishes Mankind; 



For future works in Art's ingenious schools 



His hands unwearied form and finish tools; 440 



He toils for money future bliss to share, 



And shouts to Heaven his mercenary prayer. 



Sweet Hope delights him, frowning Fear alarms, 



And Vice and Virtue court him to their arms. 



" Unenvied eminence, in Nature's plan 

 Rise the reflective faculties of Man ! 

 Labour to Rest the thinking Few prefer! 

 Know but to mourn! and reason but to err! 

 In Eden's groves, the cradle of the world, 

 Bloom'd a fair tree with mystic flowers unfurl'd ; 450 

 On bending branches, as aloft it sprung, 

 Forbid to taste, the fruit of KNOWLEDGE hung; 

 Flow'd with sweet Innocence the tranquil hours, 

 And Love and Beauty warm'd the blissful bowers. 



