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letra de an essay on man (epistle 2, lines 1 - 30) - george rylands

know then thyself, presume not god to scan;
the proper study of mankind is man
plac’d on this isthmus of a middle state
a being darkly wise, and rudely great:
with too much knowledge for the sceptic side
with too much weakness for the stoic’s pride
he hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest;
in doubt to deem himself a god, or beast;
in doubt his mind or body to prefer;
born but to die, and reas’ning but to err;
alike in ignorance, his reason such
whether he thinks too little, or too much:
chaos of thought and passion, all confus’d;
still by himself abus’d, or disabus’d;
created half to rise, and half to fall;
great lord of all things, yet a prey to all;
sole judge of truth, in endless error hurl’d:
the glory, jest, and riddle of the world!

go, wondrous creature! mount where science guides
go, measure earth, weigh air, and state the tides;
instruct the planets in what orbs to run
correct old time, and regulate the sun;
go, soar with plato to th’ empyreal sphere
to the first good, first perfect, and first fair;
or tread the mazy round his follow’rs trod
and quitting sense call imitating god;
as eastern priests in giddy circles run
and turn their heads to imitate the sun
go, teach eternal wisdom how to rule—
then drop into thyself, and be a fool!

- george rylands

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