Whence also but from Truth, the light of minds, 150 Is human fortune gladden'd with the rays Of Virtue? with the moral colours thrown On every walk of this our social scene, Adorning for the eye of gods and men The passions, actions, habitudes of life, And rendering earth like heaven, a sacred place Where Love and Praise may take delight to dwell? Let none with heedless tongue from Truth disjoin The reign of Virtue. Ere the dayspring flow'd, Like sisters link'd in Concord's golden chain, 160 They stood before the great Eternal Mind, Their common parent, and by him were both Sent forth among his creatures, hand in hand, Inseparably join'd; nor e'er did Truth Find an apt ear to listen to her lore, Which knew not Virtue's voice; nor, save where Truth's Majestic words are heard and understood, Doth Virtue deign to inhabit. Go, inquire Of Nature; not among Tartarian rocks, Whither the hungry vulture with its prey 170 Returns; not where the lion's sullen roar At noon resounds along the lonely banks Of ancient Tigris; but her gentler scenes, The dovecote and the shepherd's fold at morn, Consult; or by the meadow's fragrant hedge, In spring-time when the woodlands first are green, Attend the linnet singing to his mate Couch'd o'er their tender young. To this fond care Thou dost not Virtue's honourable name Attribute; wherefore, save that not one gleam 180 Of Truth did e'er discover to themselves Their little hearts, or teach them, by the effects Of that parental love, the love itself To judge, and measure its officious deeds? But man, whose eyelids Truth has fill'd with day, Discerns how skilfully to bounteous ends His wise affections move; with free accord Adopts their guidance; yields himself secure To Nature's prudent impulse; and converts Instinct to duty and to sacred law. 190 Hence Right and Fit on earth; while thus to man The Almighty Legislator hath explain'd The springs of action fix'd within his breast; Hath given him power to slacken or restrain Their effort; and hath shewn him how they join Their partial movements with the master-wheel Of the great world, and serve that sacred end Which he, the unerring reason, keeps in view.