One portion of informing fire was given To brutes, the inferior family of heaven: The Smith Divine, as with a careless beat, 253 Struck out the mute creation at a heat: But when arrived at last to human race, The Godhead took a deep-considering space; And to distinguish man from all the rest, Unlock'd the sacred treasures of his breast; And mercy mix'd with reason did impart, One to his head, the other to his heart: 260 Reason to rule, and mercy to forgive; The first is law, the last prerogative. And like his mind his outward form appear'd, When, issuing naked, to the wondering herd, He charm'd their eyes; and, for they loved, they fear'd: Not arm'd with horns of arbitrary might, Or claws to seize their furry spoils in fight, Or with increase of feet to o'ertake them in their flight: Of easy shape, and pliant every way; Confessing still the softness of his clay, 270 And kind as kings upon their coronation day: With open hands, and with extended space Of arms, to satisfy a large embrace. Thus kneaded up with milk, the new-made man His kingdom o'er his kindred world began: Till knowledge misapplied, misunderstood, And pride of empire, sour'd his balmy blood. Then, first rebelling, his own stamp he coins; The murderer Cain was latent in his loins: And blood began its first and loudest cry, 280 For differing worship of the Deity. Thus persecution rose, and further space Produced the mighty hunter of his race[103]. Not so the blessed Pan his flock increased, Content to fold them from the famish'd beast: Mild were his laws; the Sheep and harmless Hind 286 Were never of the persecuting kind. Such pity now the pious pastor shows, Such mercy from the British Lion flows, That both provide protection from their foes.