The finer arts there ripen in the sun. 780 How the tall temples, as to meet their gods, Ascend the skies! the proud triumphal arch Shows us half heaven beneath its ample bend. High through mid-air, here, streams are taught to flow; Whole rivers, there, laid by in basins, sleep. Here, plains turn oceans; there, vast oceans join Through kingdoms channell'd deep from shore to shore; And changed creation takes its face from man. Beats thy brave breast for formidable scenes, Where fame and empire wait upon the sword? 790 See fields in blood; hear naval thunders rise; Britannia's voice! that awes the world to peace. How yon enormous mole projecting breaks 793 The mid-sea, furious waves! Their roar amidst, Out-speaks the Deity, and says, "O main! Thus far, nor farther; new restraints obey." Earth's disembowell'd! measured are the skies! Stars are detected in their deep recess! Creation widens! vanquish'd Nature yields! Her secrets are extorted! Art prevails! 800 What monument of genius, spirit, power! And now, Lorenzo! raptured at this scene, Whose glories render heaven superfluous! say, Whose footsteps these?--Immortals have been here. Could less than souls immortal this have done? Earth's cover'd o'er with proofs of souls immortal; And proofs of immortality forgot. To flatter thy grand foible, I confess, These are Ambition's works: and these are great: But this, the least immortal souls can do; 810 Transcend them all--but what can these transcend? Dost ask me what?--One sigh for the distress'd. What then for infidels? A deeper sigh. 'Tis moral grandeur makes the mighty man: How little they, who think aught great below! All our ambitions death defeats, but one; And that it crowns.--Here cease we: but, ere long, More powerful proof shall take the field against thee, Stronger than death, and smiling at the tomb. 819 THE INFIDEL RECLAIMED. PART II. CONTAINING THE NATURE, PROOF, AND IMPORTANCE OF IMMORTALITY. PREFACE.