man, who with undaunted toils
Sails unknown seas to unknown soils,
With various wonders feasts his sight:
What stranger wonders does he write!
We read, and in description view
Creatures which  never knew;
For, when we risque no contradiction,
It prompts the tongue to deal in fiction.
Those things that startle me or you,
I grant are strange; yet may be true.
Who doubts that elephants are found
For science and for sense renown'd?
records their strength of parts,
Extent of thought, and skill in arts;
How they perform the law's decrees,
And save the state the hang-man's fees,
And how by travel understand
The language of another land.
Let those, who question this report,
To  ancient page resort.
How learn'd was that sagacious breed!
Who now (like them) the  can read!