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e unpress'd Spontaneous nectars run. Pallas, ('tis said,) when Jove grew dull, Forsook his drowsy brain; And sprightly leap'd into the throne Of wisdom's brighter reign; Her helmet took; that is, shot rays Of formidable wit; And lance,--or, genius most acute, Which lines immortal writ; And gorgon shield,--or, power to fright Man's folly, dreadful shone, And many a blockhead (easy change!) Turn'd, instantly, to stone. Our authors male, as, then, did Jove, Now scratch a damag'd head, And call for what once quarter'd there, But find the goddess fled. The fruit of knowledge, golden fruit! That once forbidden tree, Hedg'd-in by surly man, is now To Britain's daughters free: In Eve (we know) of fruit so fair The noble thirst began; And they, like her, have caus'd a fall, A fall of fame in man: And since of genius in our sex, O Addison! with thee The sun is set; how I rejoice This sister lamp to see! It sheds, like Cynthia, silver beams On man's nocturnal state; His lessen'd light, and languid powers, I show, whilst I relate. Part II. But what in either sex, beyond All parts, our glory crowns? "In ruffling seasons to be calm, And smile, when fortune frowns." Heaven's choice is safer than our own; Of ages past inquire, What the most formidable fate? "To have our own desire." If, in your wrath, the worst of foes You wish extremely ill; Expose him to the thunder's stroke, Or that of his own will. What numbers, rushing down the steep Of inclination strong, Have perish'd in their ardent wish! Wish ardent, ever wrong! 'Tis resignation's full reverse, Most wrong, as it implies Error most fatal in our choice, Detachment from the skies. By closing with the skies, we make Omnipotence our own; That done, how formidable ill's Whole army is o'erthrown! No longer impotent, and frail, Ourselves above we rise: We scarce believe ourselves below! We trespass on the skies! The Lord, the soul, and source of all, Whilst man enjoys his ease, Is executing human will, In earth, and air, and seas; Beyond us, what can angels boast? Archangels what require? Whate'er below, above, is done, Is done as----we desire. What glory this for man
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