Does not that foolish Deference we pay,
To Men that liv'd long since, our Passage stay?
What odd prepost'rous Paths at first we tread?
And learn to walk, by stumbling on the Dead.
First we a Blessing from the Grave implore,
Worship , and  adore.
The rev'rend Sage with vast Esteem we prize,
He liv'd long since, and must be wond'rous Wise;
Thus are we Debtors to the famous Dead,
For all those Errors which their Fancies bred;
Errors indeed! for real Knowledge staid
With those first times, nor farther was convey'd:
While light Opinions are much lower brought,
For on the Waves of Ignorance they float;
But solid truth scarce ever gains the Shore,
So soon it sinks and ne'er emerges more.