Expostulation

To man reproving Nature said"I formed thee soft and mild,And laid thee on thy cradle-bedA tender, tearful child;Thy feeble wail, thy lisping word,The soul of kind affection stirredTo guard thy helpless state;By fragrant flower and tuneful grove,I taught my dialect of Love,How art thou turned to Hate."

Meek pity spake.—"I lured thy heartFrom every cruel deed,To take the trampled insect's part,The famished sparrow feed,—How dost thou scorn my plaintive prayer!And like the Lion from his lairThe savage combat wage!Thy brother of the clay destroy,And with a fierce, demoniac joySeek the red battle's rage."

Religion came with dewy eye,And mournful was her tone;"I taught thee of that glorious skyWhere discord is unknown,

I bade thee sow the seeds of peace,And share those joys that never cease,Which no rude sorrows mar;And hast thou all my love forgot,My sacred precepts heeded not,But bartered Heaven for War?"