Without thee what were unassisted man?
A savage roaming thro' the woods and wilds,
In quest of prey; and with th' unfashion'd furr
Rough-clad; devoid of every honest art,
And elegance of life. Nor home, nor joy
Domestick, mix'd of tenderness and care,
Nor moral excellence, nor social bliss,
Nor law were his; nor property; nor swain,
To turn the furrow; nor mechanic hand
Harden'd to toil; nor sailor bold; nor trade,
Mother severe of infinite delights!
Nothing, save rapine, indolence, and guile,
And woes on woes, a still-revolving train!
Whose horrid circle had made human life
Than non-existence worse. But taught by thee
Ours are the plans of policy, and peace;
To live like brothers, and conjunctive all
Embellish life. While thus laborious crouds
Ply the tough oar,  directs,
Star-led, the helm; or like the liberal breath
Of urgent heaven, invisible, the sails
Swells out, and bears th' inferior world along.