OCR Text |
Show Once Man Was Nature's Child. ("Descriptive Sketches.") Once Man, entirely ISree, alone an wild. Was blest as free for he was Nature's child. He, all superior, but his God disdained. Walked none restraining, and by none restrained: Confessed now law but what his reason' taught, Did all he wished, and wished but what he ought. As man in his primeval dower arrayed, Even so, by faithful Nature guarded, here The traces of primeval Man appear; The simple dignity no forms debase; The eye sublime, and surly lion grace; The slave of none, of beasts alone the lord. His book he prizes, nor neglects his rights, prepared With this "the blessings he enjoys to guard." ? William Wadsworth. i . i |