A wit's a feather, and a chief a rod : An honest man's the noblest work of God. As justice tears his body from the grave; When what t' oblivion better were resign'd, 250 Plays round the head, but comes not to the heart; One self-approving hour, whole years outweighs 255 Of stupid starers, and of loud huzzas; And more true joy Marcellus exil'd feels, In parts superior, what advantage lies? Tell (for you can) what is it to be wise? 260 'Tis but to know how little can be known; Truths would you teach, or save a sinking land? 265 All fear, none aid you, and few understand. Painful pre-eminence! yourself to view Above life's weakness, and its comforts too. Bring then these blessings to a strict account; Make fair deductions; see to what they 'mount. 270 How much of other each is sure to cost; Think, and if still the things thy envy call, 275 Say, wouldst thou be the man to whom they fall? To sigh for ribbons, if thou art so silly, Mark how they grace Lord Umbra, or Sir Billy. Is yellow dirt the passion of thy life? Look but on Gripus, or on Gripus' wife; 280 If parts allure thee, think how Bacon shin'd: From ancient story learn to scorn them all. 285 290 295 300 Alas! not dazzled with their noon-tide ray, A tale, that blends their glory with their shame! The only point where human bliss stands still, And but more relish'd as the more distrest; The broadest mirth unfeeling folly wears, 305 310 315 Less pleasing far than virtue's very tears: 320 Good from each object, from each place acquir'd, Forever exercised, yet never tir❜d; Never elated, while one man's opprest, Never dejected, while another's blest; And where no wants, no wishes can remain, 325 Since but to wish more virtue, is to gain. See the sole bliss heav'n could on all bestow ! Which who but feels can taste, but thinks can know. Yet poor with fortune, and with learning blind, The bad must miss; the good, untaught, will find; 330 Slave to no sect, who takes no private road, But looks through nature, up to nature's God; Pursues that chain which links th' immense design, 335 And knows where faith, law, morals, all began, 340 For him alone, hope leads from goal to goal, And opens still, and opens on his soul; Till lengthen'd on to faith, and unconfin'd, He sees, why nature plants in man alone 345 Hope of known bliss, and faith in bliss unknown: (Nature whose dictates to no other kind, Are given in vain, but what they seek they find) 350 His greatest virtue, with his greatest bliss; Gives thee to make thy neighbour's blessing thine. 355 360 God loves from whole to parts: but human soul Self-love but serves the virtuous mind to wake, 365 370 Earth smiles around, with boundless bounty blest, Come then, my friend! my genius! come along; 375 380 Correct with spirit, eloquent with ease, Intent to reason, or polite to please. Oh! while along the stream of time, thy name Expanded flies, and gathers all its fame; Say, shall my little bark attendant sail, 385 Pursue the triumph and partake the gale? When statesmen, heroes, kings, in dust repose, Whose sons shall blush their fathers were thy foes: |