'But let untender thoughts afar be driven;
'Nor venture to arraign the dread decree:
'For know, to man, as candidate for heaven,
'The voice of The Eternal said, Be free:
'And this divine prerogative to thee
'Does virtue, happiness, and heaven convey;
'For virtue is the child of liberty,
'And happiness of virtue; nor can they
'Be free to keep the path, who are not free to stray.