Nicholas Ferrar - Two Lives by His Brother John and by Doctor Jebb #227928

For if that learning's rooms to learned men<br>Were as their heritage distributed,<br>All this disordered thrust would cease. For when<br>The fit were called, the unworthy frustrated,<br>These would he shamed to seek, those to he unsought<br>And, staying their turn, were sure they should be sped.<br><br>Then would our drooping academies, brought<br>Again in heart, regain that reverend hand<br>Of lost opinion, and no more be thought<br>Th' unnecessary furnish of the land;<br>Nor (discouraged with their small esteem)<br>Confused, irresolute and wavering stand.<br><br>Caring not to become profound, but seem<br>Contented with a superficial skill,<br>Which for a slight reward enough they deem,<br>When th' one succeeds as well as th' other will;:<br>Seeing shorter ways lead sooner to their end,<br>And others' longer travels thrive so ill.<br><br>Then would they only labour to extend<br>Their now unsearching spirit beyond these bounds<br>Of others' powers, wherein they must be penn'd,<br>As if there were besides no other grounds:<br>And set their bold plus ultra far without<br>The pillars of those axioms age propounds.