Here flies a cloud before the eyes of men,

I cannot tell thee how, nor canst thou tell me when.

Was it a parcel of celestial fire,

Infus’d by heav’n into this fleshly mould?

Or was it, think you, made a soul entire?

Then, was it new created, or of old?

Or is’t a propagated spark, rak’d out

From nature’s embers? while we go about

By reason to resolve, the more we raise a doubt.

If it be part of that celestial flame,