"Reason has little now to do but prove / That some most perfect Being rules above, / And this by little Inference we find: / 'Tis plain; 'tis bright, 'tis written on the Mind."
— Pomfret, John (1667-1702)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for R. Basset ... and Sold by Fr. Hicks [etc.]
Date
1699
Metaphor
"Reason has little now to do but prove / That some most perfect Being rules above, / And this by little Inference we find: / 'Tis plain; 'tis bright, 'tis written on the Mind."
Metaphor in Context
Reason has little now to do but prove
That some most perfect Being rules above,
And this by little Inference we find:
'Tis plain; 'tis bright, 'tis written on the Mind.
If there's a God, it then must be believ'd
He's no Deceiver, nor can be deceiv'd;
And if he spake, as may be plainly prov'd;
Then truth prevails, and every doubt's remov'd.
Here then at last my weary'd Soul shall rest:
With Heav'nly light, and sacred knowledge blest.
And now methinks bright Angels round me stand,
And bid me welcome to a peaceful Land.
Methinks I'm lifted to an higher Sphere
Where all is mild, and all the Prospect clear:
From hence I can behold contending Schools,
Disputing Sects, Philosophers, and Fools;
Now I can each Hypothesis despise,
Laugh at Opinions, and be boldly wise:
No more, Ye Dogmatists, your Wit shall harm
My liss'ning Soul, no more my Reason charm;
No more you shall my Faculties controul:
Suspicion guards, and Doubt defends my Soul,
(p. 10)
That some most perfect Being rules above,
And this by little Inference we find:
'Tis plain; 'tis bright, 'tis written on the Mind.
If there's a God, it then must be believ'd
He's no Deceiver, nor can be deceiv'd;
And if he spake, as may be plainly prov'd;
Then truth prevails, and every doubt's remov'd.
Here then at last my weary'd Soul shall rest:
With Heav'nly light, and sacred knowledge blest.
And now methinks bright Angels round me stand,
And bid me welcome to a peaceful Land.
Methinks I'm lifted to an higher Sphere
Where all is mild, and all the Prospect clear:
From hence I can behold contending Schools,
Disputing Sects, Philosophers, and Fools;
Now I can each Hypothesis despise,
Laugh at Opinions, and be boldly wise:
No more, Ye Dogmatists, your Wit shall harm
My liss'ning Soul, no more my Reason charm;
No more you shall my Faculties controul:
Suspicion guards, and Doubt defends my Soul,
(p. 10)
Categories
Provenance
Reading in EEBO
Citation
John Pomfret, The Sceptical Muse: or, A Paradox on Humane Understanding. A Poem (London: Printed for R. Basset and Sold by Fr. Hicks, 1699). <Link to EEBO>
Date of Entry
07/18/2011
