not what, methought, I wanted still, And to the Heavenly Vision thus presumed:
“ ‘O, by what name—for thou above all these, Above mankind, or aught than mankind higher, Surpassest far my naming—how may I Adore thee, Author of this Universe, And all this good to Man, for whose well-being So amply, and with hands so liberal, Thou hast provided all things? But with me I see not who partakes. In solitude What happiness? who can enjoy alone, Or, all enjoying, what contentment find?’ Thus I presumptuous; and the Vision bright, As with a smile more brightened, thus replied:
“ ‘What call’st thou solitude? Is not the Earth With various living creatures, and the air, Replenished, and all these at thy command To come and play before thee? Know’st thou not Their language and their ways? They also know, And reason not contemptibly; with these Find pastime, and bear rule; thy realm is large.’ So spake the universal Lord, and seemed So ordering. I, with leave of speech implored, And humble deprecation, thus replied:
“ ‘Let not my words offend thee, Heavenly Power! My Maker, be propitious while I speak. Hast thou not made me here thy substitute, And these inferior far beneath me set? Among unequals what society Can sort, what harmony or true delight? Which must be mutual, in proportion, due Given and received; but in disparity, The one intense, the other still remiss, Cannot well suit with either, but soon prove Tedious alike. Of fellowship I speak, Such as I seek, fit to participate All rational delight, wherein the brute Cannot be human consort: they rejoice Each with their kind, lion with lioness; So fitly them in pairs thou hast combined; Much less can bird with beast, or fish with fowl, So well converse, nor with the ox the ape; Worse then can man with beast, and least of all.’