By that same Heaven instructed prophet-wise

To justify the present in the past.

What in the sapphire volume of the skies

Is writ by God’s own finger misleads none,

But him whose vain and misinstructed eyes,

They mock with misinterpretation,

Or who, mistaking what he rightly read,

Ill commentary makes, or misapplies

Thinking to shirk or thwart it. Which has done

The wisdom of this venerable head;