Abraham Cowley.
CVI
TO THE ROYAL SOCIETY.
Philosophy! the great and only heir
Of all that human knowledge which has been
Unforfeited by man’s rebellious sin,
Though full of years he do appear,
(Philosophy! I say, and call it He, 5
For whatsoe’er the painter’s fancy be,
It a male virtue seems to me)
Has still been kept in nonage till of late,