Armine and Elvira . 467 r 
44 Indulge in fortune’s golden dream ; 
44 Then ask thy breast if peace be there. 
44 No: It shall tell thee, peace retires, 
44 Of one of her lov’d friends depriv’d ; 
44 Contentment calm subdu’d desires, 
44 And happiness that’s self-deriv’d.” 
To temper thus the stronger fires 
Of youth he strove, for well he knew, 
Boundless as thought tho’ man’s desires, 
The real wants of life were few. 
And oft revolving in his breast, 
Th’ insatiate love of wealth and fame, 
He, with no common care oppress’d. 
To fortune thus would oft exclaim : 
44 O fortune ! at thy crouded shrine, 
44 What wretched worlds of suppliants bow ! 
44 Forever hail’d thy power divine, 
44 Forever breath’d the serious vow. 
44 With tott’ring pace and feeble knee, 
44 See Age advance in shameless haste, 
44 The palsy’d hand is stretch’d to thee, 
44 For wealth he wants the power to taste. 
44 See, led by Hope, the youthful train ! 
44 Her fairy dreams their hearts have won ; 
44 She points to what they ne’er shall gain, 
44 Or dearly gain— to be undone. 
t4 Must I too form the votive prayer, 
44 And wilt thou hear one suppliant more ? 
44 His prayer, O Fortune deign to hear, 
44 To thee, who never pray’d before. 
44 O may one dear, one favour’d youth, 
44 May Armine still thy power disclaim : 
44 Kneel only at the shrine of truth, 
44 Count freedom, wealth, and virtue, fame I 
Lo ! to his utmost wishes blest, 
The prayer was heard 9 and freedom’s flame, 
And truth, the sunshine of the breast, 
Were Armine’s wealth, were Armine’s fame. 
Vol. nr. 3 m 
