Page:Hudibras - Volume 2 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/54

240 And as he eats his sons, just so He feeds upon his daughters too. Nor does it follow, 'cause a herald Can make a gentleman, scarce a year old, To be descended of a race Of ancient kings in a small space, That we should all opinions hold Authentic, that we can make old. Quoth Sidrophel, It is no part Of prudence to cry down an art, And what it may perform, deny, Because you understand not why; As Averrhoes play'd but a mean trick. To damn our whole art for eccentrick, For who knows all that knowledge contains? Men dwell not on the tops of mountains, But on their sides, or rising's seat; So 'tis with knowledge's vast height. Do not the hist'ries of all ages Relate miraculous presages Of strange turns in the world's affairs, Foreseen b' astrologers, soothsayers, Chaldeans, learn'd Grenethliacks, And some that have writ almanacks?