ESSAY ON MAN by Alexander Pope, excerpt

ESSAY ON MAN, by Alexander Pope (Forgotten Books: 1848, 2012), p.5, Part II, lines 53-76 “In human works, though labored on with pain, A thousand movements scarce one purpose gain: In God's one single can its end produce, Yet serves to second too some other use. So man, who here, seems principal alone, Perhaps acts second to some sphere unknown, Touches some wheel or verges to some goal: 'Tis but a part we see, and not a whole. When the proud steed shall know why men restrains His fiery course, or drives him o'er the plains; When the dull ox, why now he breaks the clod, Now wears a garland, an Egyptian god; Then shall man's pride and dullness comprehend His actions', passions', being's use and end; Why doing, suffering, check'd, impell'd; and why This hour a slave, the next a deity. Then say not man's imperfect, heav'n in fault: Say rather, man's as perfect as he ought: His knowledge measur'd to his state and place, His time a moment, and a point his space. If to be perfect in a certain sphere, What matter soon or late, or here or there? The blest to-day is as completely so, As he who began a thousand years ago.”