Thought confessed his unseen fears; and Speech declared his triumphs;
I sang the blessedness of books; and commended the prudence of a letter:
Riches found their room, either unto honour—or despising:
Inventions took their lower place, for all things come of God.
I scorned Ridicule; nor would humble me for Praise; for I had gained Self-knowledge;
And pleaded fervently for Brutes, who suffer for man's sin.
Then, I rose to Friendship; and bathed in all the tenderness of Love;
Knew the purity of Marriage; and blest the face of Children.
And whereas, by petulance or pride, I had haply said some evil,
Mine after-thought was Tolerance, to bear the faults of all: