The following passage, which, as the reader will see by turning to the Contents prefixed to the head of the Poem, is part of the First Canto, contains so happy a deduction of Man’s present state of Depravity, from the first slips and failings of his Original State, and inculcates so forcibly the mischievous consequences of social or civilized, as opposed to natural society, that no dread of imputed imitation can prevent us from giving it to our readers.
PROGRESS OF MAN.
Lo! the rude savage, free from civil strife,[[139]]
Keeps the smooth tenour of his guiltless life;
Restrain’d by none, save Nature’s lenient laws,
Quaffs the clear stream, and feeds on hips and haws.
Light to his daily sports behold him rise!
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The bloodless banquet health and strength supplies.[[140]]
Bloodless not long—one morn he haps to stray[[141]]