Page:The Seasons - Thomson (1791).djvu/235

 For ever free. The great eternal scheme, Involving all, and in a perfect whole Uniting, as the prospect wider spreads, To reason's eye refin'd clears up apace. Ye vainly wise! ye blind presumptuous! now, Confounded in the dust, adore that , And Wisdom oft arraign'd: see now the cause, Why unassuming worth in secret liv'd, And dy'd, neglected: why the good Man's share In life was gall and bitterness of soul: Why the lone widow, and her orphans pin'd, In starving solitude; while luxury, In palaces, lay straining her low thought, To form unreal wants: why heaven-born truth, And moderation fair, wore the red marks Of superstition's scourge: why licens'd pain, That cruel spoiler, that embosom'd foe, Imbitter'd all our bliss. Ye good distrest! Ye noble few! who here unbending stand Beneath life's pressure, yet bear up a while, And what your bounded view, which only saw A little part, deem'd Evil is no more: The storms of will quickly pass, And one unbounded encircle all!