'I could be well content, allowed the use <br />Of past experience, and the wisdom gleaned <br />From worn-out follies, now acknowledged such, <br />To recommence life's trial, in the hope <br />Of fewer errors, on a second proof!' <br />Thus while gray evening lulled the wind, and called <br />Fresh odours from the shrubbery at my side, <br />Taking my lonely winding walk, I mused, <br />And held accustomed conference with my heart; <br />When from within it thus a voice replied: <br />'Couldst thou in truth? and art thou taught at length <br />This wisdom, and but this, from all the past? <br />Is not the pardon of thy long arrear, <br />Time wasted, violated laws, abuse <br />Of talents, judgements, mercies, better far <br />Than opportunity vouchsafed to err <br />With less excuse, and haply, worse effect?' <br />I heard, and acquiesced: then to and fro <br />Oft pacing, as the mariner his deck, <br />My gravelly bounds, from self to human kind <br />I passed, and next considered, what is man? <br />Knows he his origin? can he ascend <br />By reminiscence to his earliest date? <br />Slept he in Adam? and in those from him <br />Through numerous generations, till he found <br />At length his destined moment to be born? <br />Or was he not, till fashioned in the womb? <br />Deep mysteries both! which schoolmen must have toiled <br />To unriddle, and have left them mysteries still. <br />It is an evil incident to man, <br />And of the worst, that unexplored he leaves <br />Truths useful and attainable with ease, <br />To search forbidden deeps, where mystery lies <br />Not to be solved, and useless, if it might. <br />Mysteries are food for angels; they digest <br />With ease, and find them nutriment; but man, <br />While yet he dwells below, must stoop to glean <br />His manna from the ground, or starve and die. <br />* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *<br /><br />William Cowper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-four-ages-a-brief-fragment-of-an-extensive-projected-poem/
