For Man’s Free-will immortal Law, Anagkê, Kismet, Des’tiny read That was, that is, that aye shall be, Star, Fortune, Fate, Urd, Norn or Need.

“Man’s nat’ural state is God’s design;” such is the silly sage’s theme; “Man’s primal Age was Age of Gold;” such is the Poet’s waking dream:

Delusion, Ign’orance! Long ere Man drew upon Earth his earliest breath The world was one contin’uous scene of anguish, torture, prey and Death;

Where hideous Theria of the wild rended their fellows limb by limb; Where horrid Saurians of the sea in waves of blood were wont to swim:

The “fair young Earth” was only fit to spawn her frightful monster-brood; Now fiery hot, now icy frore, now reeking wet with steamy flood.