The news is told and echo'd, till the tale Or can we scarce the rising wish suppress, That we were honour'd with the whole success? Conditions spurns, and triumphs in their fall. Wisdom mistrusts itself, and leans on heaven, Says God. It trusts and leans upon itself, The world replies. Wisdom retires, says God, And counts it bravery to bear reproach, And shame, and lowly poverty, upright; And weeps with all who have just cause to weep. Wisdom, replies the world, struts forth to gaze, There is an eye that marks the ways of Treads the broad stage of life with clamorous men, With strict, impartial, analyzing ken: The false can varnish, or deform the true; The right of theory for the wrong of deed. Before that unembarrass'd, just survey, What heaps of refuse must be swept away! How must its search from every creed remove, All but the golden grains of truth and love: Yet, with compassion for our feeble powers, For oh! His thoughts and ways are not as ours! WORLDLY AND DIVINE WISDOM CONTRASTED. POLLOK. WISDOM is humble, says the voice of God. Tis proud, the world replies. Wisdom, says God, Forgives, forbears, and suffers, not for fear clean. Wisdom, says God, loves enemies, entreats, Solicits, begs for peace. Wisdom, replies The world, hates enemies, will not ask peace, |