And wilt thou say with shrewdness,—He hath burnished up old truths,
But where he seemed to fashion new, the novelty was false?
Alas, for us in these last days, our elders reaped the harvest:
Alas, for all men in all times, who glean so many tares!
That which is true, how should it be new? for time is old in years:
That which is new, how should it be true? for I am young in wisdom:
Nevertheless, I have spoken at my best, according to the mercies given me,
Of high, and deep, and famous things, of Evil, or of Good.
I have told of Errors near akin to Truth, and wholesomes linked with poison;
Of subtle Uses in the humblest, and the deep laid plots of Pride: