"We live by Admiration, Hope, and Love; And, even as these are well and wisely fixed, In dignity of being we ascend. 765 But what is error?"--"Answer he who can!" The Sceptic somewhat haughtily exclaimed: "Love, Hope, and Admiration--are they not Mad Fancy's favourite vassals? Does not life Use them, full oft, as pioneers to ruin, 770 Guides to destruction? Is it well to trust Imagination's light when reason's fails, The unguarded taper where the guarded faints? --Stoop from those heights, and soberly declare What error is; and, of our errors, which 775 Doth most debase the mind; the genuine seats Of power, where are they? Who shall regulate, With truth, the scale of intellectual rank?" "Methinks," persuasively the Sage replied, "That for this arduous office you possess 780 Some rare advantages. Your early days A grateful recollection must supply Of much exalted good by Heaven vouchsafed To dignify the humblest state.[368]--Your voice Hath, in my hearing, often testified 785 That poor men's children, they, and they alone, By their condition taught, can understand The wisdom of the prayer that daily asks For daily bread. A consciousness is yours How feelingly religion may be learned 790 In smoky cabins, from a mother's tongue-- Heard while the dwelling vibrates to the din Of the contiguous torrent, gathering strength At every moment--and, with strength, increase Of fury; or, while snow is at the door, 795 Assaulting and defending, and the wind, A sightless labourer, whistles at his work-- Fearful; but resignation tempers fear, And piety is sweet to infant minds. 799 --The Shepherd-lad, that[369] in the sunshine carves, On the green turf, a dial[FJ]--to divide The silent hours; and who to that report Can portion out his pleasures, and adapt, Throughout a long and lonely summer's day His round[370] of pastoral duties, is not left 805 With less intelligence for _moral_ things Of gravest import. Early he perceives, Within himself, a measure and a rule, Which to the sun of truth he can apply, That shines for him, and shines for all mankind. 810 Experience daily fixing his regards On nature's wants, he knows how few they are, And where they lie, how answered and appeased. This knowledge ample recompense affords For manifold privations; he refers 815 His notions to this standard; on this rock Rests his desires; and hence, in after life, Soul-strengthening patience, and sublime content. Imagination--not permitted here To waste her powers, as in the worldling's mind, 820