To the Author of Vestiges of Creation

Wise was Democritos, nor less the sage
Whom Philip call'd to guide his wilful son,
Not tardy to shake off the dust that fell
Upon the eyelids of the Athenian youths
From quaintnesses and quibbles in a school
Where Truth, if ever sought, was never found.
Our teachers find her, some of them on earth,
Some in the wilderness above the skies.

Thou hast gone after them and close behind,
Briton I thou who hast traced the vestiges
Of God's creation ! Deem it not presumption
If I dare question thee why thou hast call'd
The vulture, wolf, and boa, the police
Ordain'd to keep in order and suppress
Us bipeds, when we come in crowds too dense.

"Were it not better to reward the stout
And vigilant, for every bird and beast
Of rapine they shall kill ? Even in our land
Vipers and snakes and hawks and kites are seen.

Is there no shame in this ? why not propound
A stated price for every head of them ?

Were it not better so than fifty-fold
For fellow men to slaughter fellow men
And feed the hungry cannon's mouth alone ?

Is there none brave enough to seize the scourge
Now sounding in our ears ? let that be done.

Then to the vipers and the birds of prey.