God gave the eagle wings to soar
Aloft, and heaven's high arch explore
With keen undazzled sight.
God gave to man the winged mind,
Its dwelling-place to seek and find
Beyond the source of light.
Confine the monarch of the air
To some dim cage, in fierce despair
He droops his wing and dies;
While grov'lling man consents to dwell
Immured in vice's gloomy cell,
Nor e'er for freedom sighs.
Peter John Allan
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-thought-39/
