'I could be well content, allowed the use br Of past experience, and the wisdom gleaned br From worn-out follies, now acknowledged such, br To recommence life's trial, in the hope br Of fewer errors, on a second proof!' br Thus while gray evening lulled the wind, and called br Fresh odours from the shrubbery at my side, br Taking my lonely winding walk, I mused, br And held accustomed conference with my heart; br When from within it thus a voice replied: br 'Couldst thou in truth? and art thou taught at length br This wisdom, and but this, from all the past? br Is not the pardon of thy long arrear, br Time wasted, violated laws, abuse br Of talents, judgements, mercies, better far br Than opportunity vouchsafed to err br With less excuse, and haply, worse effect?' br I heard, and acquiesced: then to and fro br Oft pacing, as the mariner his deck, br My gravelly bounds, from self to human kind br I passed, and next considered, what is man? br Knows he his origin? can he ascend br By reminiscence to his earliest date? br Slept he in Adam? and in those from him br Through numerous generations, till he found br At length his destined moment to be born? br Or was he not, till fashioned in the womb? br Deep mysteries both! which schoolmen must have toiled br To unriddle, and have left them mysteries still. br It is an evil incident to man, br And of the worst, that unexplored he leaves br Truths useful and attainable with ease, br To search forbidden deeps, where mystery lies br Not to be solved, and useless, if it might. br Mysteries are food for angels; they digest br With ease, and find them nutriment; but man, br While yet he dwells below, must stoop to glean br His manna from the ground, or starve and die.