An Essay on Man; Moral Essays and SatiresPope, Alexander
ReligionComparative
An Essay on Man; Moral Essays and Satires
Pope, Alexander
English poetry -- 18th century
I. The whole Universe one system of Society, v.7, etc. Nothing made
wholly for itself, nor yet wholly for another, v.27. The happiness of
Animals mutual, v.49. II. Reason or Instinct operate alike to the good
of each Individual, v.79. Reason or Instinct operate also to Society, in
all Animals, v.109. III. How far Society carried by Instinct, v.115. How
much farther by Reason, v.128. IV. Of that which is called the State of
Nature, v.144. Reason instructed by Instinct in the invention of Arts,
v.166, and in the Forms of Society, v.176. V. Origin of Political
Societies, v.196. Origin of Monarchy, v.207. Patriarchal Government,
v.212. VI. Origin of true Religion and Government, from the same
principle, of Love, v.231, etc. Origin of Superstition and Tyranny, from
the same principle, of Fear, v.237, etc. The Influence of Self-love
operating to the social and public Good, v.266. Restoration of true
Religion and Government on their first principle, v.285. Mixed
Government, v.288. Various forms of each, and the true end of all,
v.300, etc.
EPISTLE III.
Here, then, we rest: "The Universal Cause
Acts to one end, but acts by various laws."
In all the madness of superfluous health,
The trim of pride, the impudence of wealth,
Let this great truth be present night and day;
But most be present, if we preach or pray.
Look round our world; behold the chain of love
Combining all below and all above.
See plastic Nature working to this end,
The single atoms each to other tend,
Attract, attracted to, the next in place
Formed and impelled its neighbour to embrace.
See matter next, with various life endued,
Press to one centre still, the general good.
See dying vegetables life sustain,
See life dissolving vegetate again:
All forms that perish other forms supply
(By turns we catch the vital breath, and die),
Like bubbles on the sea of matter borne,
They rise, they break, and to that sea return.
Nothing is foreign: parts relate to whole;
One all-extending, all-preserving soul
Connects each being, greatest with the least;
Made beast in aid of man, and man of beast;
All served, all serving: nothing stands alone;
The chain holds on, and where it ends, unknown.
Has God, thou fool! worked solely for thy Thy good,
Thy joy, thy pastime, thy attire, thy food?
Who for thy table feeds the wanton fawn,
For him as kindly spread the flowery lawn:
Is it for thee the lark ascends and sings?
Joy tunes his voice, joy elevates his wings.
Is it for thee the linnet pours his throat?
Loves of his own and raptures swell the note.
The bounding steed you pompously bestride,
Shares with his lord the pleasure and the pride.
Is thine alone the seed that strews the plain?
The birds of heaven shall vindicate their grain.
Thine the full harvest of the golden year?
Part pays, and justly, the deserving steer:
The hog, that ploughs not nor obeys thy call,
Lives on the labours of this lord of all.
Know, Nature's children all divide her care;
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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