SENECA.

Interpreter of the Pure Reason’ s laws,

And all the obligations Thought doth owe

These high ambassadors of her great cause;

Philosopher! whose rare discernments show

Apt mastery of her surpassing skill,

And why each thought and thing is inly so

Conceived and fashioned in the plastic Will;

Thou Reason’ s canons dost so well maintain,

With such adhesive and sincere regard,

That every deviator seeks in vain

To escape thy apprehension; evil-starred,

With Dante’ s sophisters they writhe in pain.

Then from thy judgment-seat, dismissed with ruth,

Thou lead’ st the stumblers in the way of truth.