Learning

WHen dismal Chaos did the World confound,
And all lay in a common Deluge drown'd,
Horror, Despair, and Death reign'd all around.
Parnassus was the last that disappear'd,
Or first his reverend top aspiring rear'd.
The Olive-Tree then lifted up her head,
And smil'd to see no Rival Beauty bred.
Thus Learning is the next to our Salvation;
Last of the old, or first o'th' new Creation.