494 MILTON. 



Vice revelling amid the harlot's charms, 



That with the lightning of destruction warms, 



And riot's orgies, and the poison'd gold, 



Won by the perjury of their country sold, 



Live but by curses deep to be pursued, 



And lasting infamy, and tainted blood : 



While, as successive ages roll along, 



Still heavenlier worship shall be paid my song, 



And my name grow to godly ; and my sprite 



Be ever hallow'd, morning, noon, and night." 



Thus early fame, capricious and unsound, 

 Full many a worthless candidate has found ; 

 And left the highest of the tribe in cells 

 Neglected or reproach'd, to strike their shells. 

 But why will not the music of the lyre, 

 That sets the veins of noblest hearts on fire, 

 Command the common sympathy, and run 

 Like the broad radiance of the common sun ? 



O, what a frail and mingled thing is man ! 

 He dares not show the virtue which he can ! 

 He dares not own the noble throes, which dart 

 In kindling currents through his yielding heart ! 

 He dares but trust some chief to lead the way, 

 And ere he gives his soul, to cry, He may! 

 When the soul-moving tale can move his awe, 

 Or down in rolling drops the tears can draw. 

 He would not own, if fashion did not raise 

 From the loud mob the cry of general praise, 

 The emotions, which his juster taste approved, 

 But huddle up in fogs the tale he loved ! 

 O imitative creature ! following where 

 Thou shouldst the graceless imitation spare ; 

 But shunning to pursue, or emulate, 

 The good, the wise, the splendid, and the great! 



O Selfishness ! who by thine arts deny 

 The vigorous race, with which thou darest not vie, 

 How many dost thou from the steep detain, 

 Which might exalt them into Honour's fane ? 

 And blighting all the energies of soul, 

 Condemn them meanly in the dust to roll ? 

 The affected scorn of what is fair and high, 

 Hangs up a dusky veil before the sky ; 

 And blights the etherial essence, that requires 

 The rays of heaven to fan our high desires. 



Then verdant be the wreath of him, whose flame 

 Can in defiance cherish virtuous fame ! 

 While all around their thick depressions throw 

 Clouds, vapours, darkness, pestilence, and woe ! 



