He’d grieve to see thee such a slave;

Should Faust or Gutenberg arise,

How painful were their deep surprise,

To find their giant hopes decline

To pigmy bantlings such as thine!

How grieved the Areopagite,[e]

Could he behold the sickening sight!

But why pursue this mournful tale?

Repinings now of what avail!

Halt, muse! If thus we rattle on,