Reviving moisture on the numerous orbs Through which his long ellipsis winds--perhaps To lend new fuel to declining suns, To light up worlds, and feed eternal fire. With thee, serene philosophy, with thee, And thy bright garland, let me crown my song! Effusive source of evidence, and truth! A lustre shedding o'er the ennobled mind, Stronger than summer noon; and pure as that Whose mild vibrations soothe the parted soul, New to the dawning of celestial day. Hence through her nourish'd powers, enlarg'd by thee, She springs aloft, with elevated pride, Above the tangling mass of low desires That bind the fluttering crowd; and, angel-wing'd. The heights of science and of virtue gains, Where all is calm and clear; with nature round, Or in the starry regions, or the abyss, To reason's and to fancy's eye display'd: The first up-tracing, from the dreary void, The chain of causes and effects to him, The world-producing Essence, who alone Possesses being; while the last receives The whole magnificence of heaven and earth, And every beauty, delicate or bold, Obvious or more remote, with livelier sense, Diffusive painted on the rapid mind. Tutor'd by thee, hence poetry exalts Her voice to ages; and informs the page With music, image, sentiment, and thought, Never to die! the treasure of mankind, Their highest honor, and their truest joy! Without thee, what were unenlighten'd man? A savage roaming through the woods and wilds, In quest of prey; and with the unfashion'd fur Rough-clad; devoid of every finer art, And elegance of life. Nor happiness Domestic, mix'd of tenderness and care, Nor moral excellence, nor social bliss, Nor guardian law, were his; nor various skill To turn the furrow, or to guide the tool Mechanic; nor the heaven-conducted prow Of navigation bold, that fearless braves The burning line or dares the wintry pole, Mother severe of infinite delights! Nothing, save rapine, indolence, and guile, And woes on woes, a still revolving train! Whose horrid circle had made human life Than non-existence worse; but, taught by thee, Ours are the plans of policy and peace: To live like brothers, and conjunctive all Embellish life. While thus laborious crowds Ply the tough oar, philosophy directs The ruling helm; or, like the liberal breath Of potent heaven, invisible, the sail Swells out, and bears the inferior world along.