To know that which lies before us in daily life is the prime wisdom.

Who, as they sung, would take the prison'd soul And lap it in Elysium.

Dark with excessive bright.

Prudence is the virtue by which we discern what is proper to do under various circumstances in time and place.

A dungeon horrible, on all sides round, As one great furnace, flamed; yet from those flames No light, but rather darkness visible Serv'd only to discover sights of woe, Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace And rest can never dwell, hope never comes That comes to all; but torture without end.

And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, consult how we may henceforth most offend.

At His birth a star, unseen before in heaven, proclaims Him come.