And all, by that enlighten'd, proves it sure. Consider man as an immortal being, Intelligible all; and all is great; A crystalline transparency prevails, And strikes full lustre through the human sphere: Consider man as mortal, all is dark, And wretched; Reason weeps at the survey. The learn'd Lorenzo cries, "And let her weep, Weak, modern Reason: ancient times were wise. 560 Authority, that venerable guide, Stands on my part; the famed Athenian porch (And who for wisdom so renown'd as they?) Denied this immortality to man." I grant it; but affirm, they proved it too. A riddle this!--have patience; I'll explain. What noble vanities, what moral flights, Glittering through their romantic wisdom's page, Make us at once despise them, and admire? Fable is flat to these high-season'd sires; 570 They leave th' extravagance of song below. "Flesh shall not feel; or, feeling, shall enjoy The dagger, or the rack; to them, alike 573 A bed of roses, or the burning bull." In men exploding all beyond the grave, Strange doctrine, this! As doctrine, it was strange; But not, as prophecy; for such it proved, And, to their own amazement, was fulfill'd: They feign'd a firmness Christians need not feign. The Christian truly triumph'd in the flame: 580 The Stoic saw, in double wonder lost, Wonder at them, and wonder at himself, To find the bold adventures of his thought Not bold, and that he strove to lie in vain. Whence, then, those thoughts? those towering thoughts, that flew Such monstrous heights?--From instinct, and from pride. The glorious instinct of a deathless soul, Confusedly conscious of her dignity, Suggested truths they could not understand. In Lust's dominion, and in Passion's storm, 590 Truth's system broken, scatter'd fragments lay, As light in chaos, glimmering through the gloom: Smit with the pomp of lofty sentiments, Pleased Pride proclaim'd, what Reason disbelieved. Pride, like the Delphic priestess, with a swell, Raved nonsense, destined to be future sense, When life immortal, in full day, shall shine; And death's dark shadows fly the Gospel sun. They spoke, what nothing but immortal souls Could speak; and thus the truth they question'd, proved. Can then absurdities, as well as crimes, 601 Speak man immortal? All things speak him so. Much has been urged; and dost thou call for more? Call; and with endless questions be distress'd, All unresolvable, if earth is all. "Why life, a moment; infinite, desire? 606 Our wish, eternity? Our home, the grave? Heaven's promise dormant lies in human hope; Who wishes life immortal, proves it too. Why happiness pursued, though never found? Man's thirst of happiness declares it is, (For nature never gravitates to nought);