Stay at the source the quickly-swelling tide,—
From reason’s dawn must thou for good or ill decide.
Time fleeted by,—I was a child no more,
But with my growth, alas! the evil grew.
I loved creation’s wonders to explore,
But on the world within ne’er fixed my view.
Eager the paths of science to pursue,
By praise encouraged, and by pride impelled,
The charmèd task each day would I renew,
And, while my bosom with vainglory swelled,