10 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, ¢ 
MONG the papers of a valued friend 
has been found the following analysis 
of Scott’s Human Life, a poem of the last 
half century, which is now but little read, 
and which is, in fact, a versified and em- 
bellished translation of the celebrated 
Greek Picture of Cebes, the model of so 
many modern allegories. Dr. Johnson, 
in his Vision of Theodore, has profusely 
borrowed from it; and to Aikin’s Hill of 
Science it has perhaps, though less obvi- 
ously, furnished some hints. Scott’s 
poem, + elegant, is diffuse and tedious ; 
but, as its moral tendency entitles it to 
lasting respect, it may possibly be wel- 
€ome to your readers to possess a con- 
ise sketch of its contents. 
The poem introduces certain strangers, 
who are are ushered into a ‘Theban tem- 
ple, where votive offerings were suspend- 
ed, and whose attention is drawn by a 
tablet, designed for a picture of Haman 
Life. It represented a walled court, 
‘whence rose another; and higher still, a 
third. At the gate of the nether area a 
wast crowd seemed to wait. 
A hierophant4pproachesthe strangers, 
and, after a short preliminary address, 
expounds to them the delineation. 
The “ natal” gate, represents the num- 
bers thronging into mortal life. On one 
ide the good genius of mankind exhibits 
the code of Reason and Delusion, on the 
other offers a bowl, whence all drink, 
some to fatal excess, others but taste, 
less erring and jess blind. 
He then proceeds to describe the first 
eourt, or the Sensual Life, with its attend- 
ant moral, ‘The Desires, Pleasures, and 
Opinions, entice with powerful charms 
the unguarded mind, Happy those 
whom Wisdom tutors, and consigns to 
sight opinions. 
The strangers then behold a globe on 
which stands Fortune, blind, frantic, and 
deaf, whose tottering and unstable ball, 
when most trusted to, is most likely to 
deceive the footstep. Fortune is adored, 
er curst, by her various suitors, according 
to their success. 
Their attention is next directed to the 
garden of Sensuality. Here 
Sin her powerful spells employs ; 
&ce Lewdness, loosely zon'd, her bosom bares; 
Gece Riot her luxurious bow! prepares. 
There stands Avidity, and dimpling 
Adulation—all in watch for prey ; while 
the prodigal, bereft at length of all re- 
source, are left in the dire gripe of Pu- 
a@jshment. 
The T ablet of Cebes. 
[Feb. 3, 
The Cave of Punishment is next de- 
scribed, At its entrance the Furies : 
In sentry see these haggard crones, whose 
brows 
Rude locks o’erhang, a frown their forehead 
plows ; 
High brandishing her lash, with stern re- 
gard 
Stands Punishment, an ever-waking ward; 
While sullen Melancholy mopes behind, 
Fix’d, with her head upon her knees reclin’d ; 
And, frantic with remorseful fury, there 
Fierce Anguish stamps, and rends her shaggy 
hair. ‘ 
Loud Lamentation, wild Despair, are also 
personified; and to some of these the cap- 
tive is consigned, 
Unless, rare guest, Repentance o’er the gloona 
Diffuse her radiance, and repeal his doom, 
In this case, the hand-maids of Truth, 
Right Opinion, and Good Desire, lead 
him to True Wisdom, who is sometimes 
personated by False Philosophy. 
The strangers now enquire by what 
distinctive marks. the true can be known 
from the counterfeit Wisdom. Their re- 
gard isdirected tothe second court, in 
which is pourtrayed the Studious Life. 
Here are assembled wrangling sophists, 
fanciful poets, laborious pedants; 
All, who in learned trifles spin their wit, 
Or comment on the works by triflers writ, 
In the walks of this academic court 
certain active and bewitching females are 
present, who resemble lewd harlots, and 
who frequently entangle Art, Wit, and . 
Reason, in their toils; unti] awakened tua 
sense of their condition, the seduced shalk 
have found 
Th’ exalted way toTruth’s enlightened ground: 
and, having quaffed her cathartic, are 
cleansed, healed, and saved. Yet, by 
loitering here, they are still in danger of 
degeneracy. 
The strangers now ask the faithful road, 
Which mounts us to the joys of Truth’s a- 
bode. 
A strait and lonely gate is pointed out, 
its avenue a rugged rocky soil ; beyond - 
the wicket rises the craggy mountain of 
Difficulty : 
each edge a brink 
Whence to vast depth dire precipices sink. 
Two sister figures stand on the mountain, 
Continence and Patience, stationed there 
by Wisdom, to urge on her sons. These 
generous guides, swift descendiag, draw 
up their trembling charge, ‘¢with their own 
force his panting breast they arm,” and ase 
sist lus progress along the road to Virtue, 
whose 
