POETRY. 977 



Or view the shifting and delusive scene 

 Of this vain life, — and all its transient state : 

 Think, that yon begging dotard once has been, 

 Think, that yon starving orphan may be, great ! 



Or, pity throned on the melting eye, 



Weep o'er each sad reverse the good have known ; 



Or muse exultant o'er their days of joy, 



And in their happiest feelings find his own ! 



Yet 'twas but specious trifling of the mind, 

 This unsubstantial dream of solitude, 

 To social man, a social part's assign'd. 

 For others wise, — and profitably good. 



Doth justice prompt and reason guide thy will ? 

 Doth strong persuasion kindle on thy tongue? 

 No selfish thought, — no dastard passion chill 

 Thy soul ? — as arm in resolution strong. 



Go, stem the torrent of oppression's stream, 

 In public virtue and in freedom great ; 

 Rouse a brave people with the glorious theme, 

 Then, give it action, — and preserve the state ! 



Or to the milder virtues dost thou tend. 

 Of gentler passions, and of humbler bent, 

 The pattern husband, brother, father, friend, 

 In life's sequcster'd region of content ? 



Go, — raise oppressed goodness from the earth, 

 In misery comfort, and in danger save ; 

 Go, — give the hidden lights of genius birth, 

 And rescue merit from oblivion's grave. 



Then hither take thy solitary way, 

 And as thou shad'st thy head in yonder wood. 

 Thro' every cordial scene bid memory stray, 

 And know the heart-felt pleasure, — to be good. 



Can there a thought from tow'ring greatness spring, 

 The hero's force, the politican's art, 

 Potent the charm'd felicity to bring, 

 As from the infelt merit of the heart ? 



Can the loose revel of distemper'd sense 

 Cope with exulting virtue's hour of joy ? 



Vol. XLVIl. 3 R One 



