Section 1 (Lines 1-78) explores the chain of being, how this chain represents the social organization of humans and Nature. Nature has sculpted a chain, a “chain of love” (Line 7), to connect all things, from the smallest atoms to plants, animals, and humans. Each part of the chain works harmoniously to create a unified universe, and each being has its own desires. The linnet does not sing for humans to enjoy his song, but because of “loves of his own” (Line 34). Humans are the “vain patron” (Line 61) on which animals depend, and it is part of the natural order that humans eat animals. However, humans will die “when their feast is o’er” (Line 70). Because humans have passions and reason, they can feel dread about their mortality, but also hope. The speaker calls this “a miracle” (Line 77).

Section 2 (Lines 79-108) clarifies instinct in contrast with reason. Each living thing has instinct and reason “proportioned to their end” (Line 82). Animals don’t need reason because they have instinct in full, while humans have both reason and instinct. Reason is God’s way of directing people, while instinct enables people to physically survive.