The History of the Royal Society of London

In Nature’s endless Treasury,
They chose his Eye to entertain
(His curious but not covetous Eye)
With painted Scenes, and Pageants of the Brain.
Some few exalted Spirits this latter Age has shown,
That labored to assert the Liberty
(From Guardians, who were now Usurpers grown)
Of this Old Minor still, Captivated Philosophy;
But 'twas Rebellion called to fight
For such a long-oppressed Right.
Bacon at last, a mighty Man, arose,
Whom a wise King and Nature chose
Lord Chancellor of both their Laws,
And boldly undertook the injured Pupil’s cause.

III.

Authority, which did a Body boast,
Though 'twas but Air condensed, and stalked about,
Like some old Giant’s more Gigantic Ghost,
To terrify the Learned Rout
With the plain Magic of true Reason’s Light,
He chased out of our sight,
Nor suffered Living Men to be misled
By the vain shadows of the Dead:
To Graves, from whence it rose, the conquered Phantom fled;
He broke that Monstrous God which stood
In midst of the Orchard, and the whole did claim,
Which with a useless Scythe of Wood,
And something else not worth a name,
(Both vast for show, yet neither fit
Or to Defend, or to Beget;
Ridiculous and senseless Terrors!) made
Children and superstitious Men afraid.
The Orchard's open now, and free;
Bacon has broke that Scarecrow Deity;