Or canst thou lower dive, or higher climb?

Canst thou by reason more of godhead know

Than Plutarch, Seneca, or Cicero?

Those giant wits, in happier ages born,

When arms and arts did Greece and Rome adorn,

Knew no such system; no such piles could raise

Of natural worship, built on prayer and praise

To one sole God;

Nor did remorse to expiate sin prescribe,

But slew their fellow-creatures for a bribe: