t 57 ] 



Hence, candid Critics, this fad Truth confeft, 

 Accept what leaft is bad, and deem it beft ; 700 

 Lament the foul in Error's thraldom held, 

 Compare Life's fpan with Art's extenfive field, 

 Know that, ere perfect Tafte matures the mind, 

 Or perfect practice to that Tafte be join'd, 

 Comes age, comes ficknefs, comes contracting pain, 

 And chills the warmth of youth in every vein. 

 Rife then, ye youths ! while yet that warmth 



infpires, 



While yet nor years impair, nor labour tires, 

 While health, while ftrength are yours, while that 



mild ray, 

 Which fhone aufpicious on your natal day, 710 



Cenfentur, quae prava minus ; latet omnibus error ; 495 

 Vitaque tarn longae brevior non fufficit arti. 

 Delinimus nam pofle fenes, cum fcire periti 

 Incipimus, doftamque manum gravat aegra fene&us ; 

 Nee gelidis fervet juvenilis in artubus ardor. 



Quare agite, O juvenes, placido quos fydere natos 500 

 Paciferae fludia alle&ant tranquilla Minervae; 



H 



