What is this fact I feel persuaded of—

This something like a foothold in the sea,

Although Saint Peter's bark scuds, billow-borne,

Leaves me to founder where it flung me first?

Spite of your splashing, I am high and dry!

God takes his own part in each thing he made;

Made for a reason, he conserves his work,

Gives each its proper instinct of defence.

My lamblike wife could neither bark nor bite,

She bleated, bleated, till for pity pure