Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/15



HILOSOPHY, the great and only Heir Of all that Human Knowledge which has bin Unforfeited by Man's rebellious Sin, Though full of years He do appear, (Philosophy, I say, and call it, He, For whatsoe're the Painter's Fancy be, It a male Virtu seems to me) Has still bin kept in Non-age till of late, Nor manag'd or enjoy'd his vast Estate: Three or four thousand Years one would have thought, To ripeness and perfection might have brought A Science so well bred and nurst, And of such hopeful parts too at the first. But, oh, the Guardians and the Tutors then, (Some negligent, and some ambitious Men) Would ne'er consent to set him free, Or his own natural Powers to let him see, Left that should put an end to their Authoritie. That his own Business he might quite forget, They amus'd him with the Sports of wanton Wit, With the Deserts of Poetry they fed him, Instead of solid meats t'encrease his Force; Instead of vigorous Exercise, they led him Into the pleasant Labyrinths of ever-fresh Discourse: Instead of carrying him to see The Riches which do hoarded for him lye Rh