Two best wills cannot be: by consequence,

What is man bound to but—assent, say I?

Rather to rapture of thanksgiving; since

That which seems worst to man to God is best,

So, because God ordains it, best to man.

Yet man—the foolish, weak, and wicked—prays!

Urges 'My best were better, didst Thou know'!"

"List to a tale, A worthy householder

Of Shiraz had three sons, beside a spouse

Whom, cutting gourds, a serpent bit, whereon