Plac'd on this Isthmus of a middle state,
A Being darkly wise, and rudely great;
With too much knowledge for the Sceptic side,
With too much weakness for a Stoic's pride,
He hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest,
In doubt to-deem himself a God, or Beast,
In doubt his mind or body to prefer,
Born but to die, and reas'ning but to err;
Alike in ignorance, his Reason such,
Whether he thinks too little, or too much.
Chaos of Thought and Passion, all confus'd;
Still by himself abus'd, or dis-abus'd;
Created half to rise, and half to fall;
Great Lord of all things, yet a Prey to all;
Sole Judge of Truth, in endless Error hurl'd;
The Glory, Jest, and Riddle of the world!
Go, wond'rous Creature! mount where Science guides,
Go measure Earth, weigh Air, and state the Tydes,
Instruct the Planets in what Orbs to run,
Correct old Time, and regulate the Sun.
Go, soar with Plato to th' empyreal sphere,
To the first Good, first Perfect, and first Fair;
Or tread the mazy round his Follow'rs trod,
And quitting Sense call Imitating God,
As Eastern Priests in giddy circles run,
And turn their heads, to imitate the Sun.
Go, teach Eternal Wisdom how to rule;
Then drop into thy-self, and be a Fool!