The Poetical Works of Mark Akenside Part 4

O man by Nature form'd for all mankind!'

He spoke; abash'd and silent I remain'd, As conscious of my tongue's offence, and awed Before his presence, though my secret soul Disdain'd the imputation. On the ground I fix'd my eyes, till from his airy couch He stoop'd sublime, and touching with his hand My dazzling forehead, 'Raise thy sight,' he cried, 'And let thy sense convince thy erring tongue.' 270

I look'd, and lo! the former scene was changed; For verdant alleys and surrounding trees, A solitary prospect, wide and wild, Rush'd on my senses. 'Twas a horrid pile Of hills with many a s.h.a.ggy forest mix'd, With many a sable cliff and glittering stream.

Aloft, rec.u.mbent o'er the hanging ridge, The brown woods waved; while ever-trickling springs Wash'd from the naked roots of oak and pine The crumbling soil; and still at every fall 280 Down the steep windings of the channel'd rock, Remurmuring rush'd the congregated floods With hoa.r.s.er inundation; till at last They reach'd a gra.s.sy plain, which from the skirts Of that high desert spread her verdant lap, And drank the gushing moisture, where confined In one smooth current, o'er the lilied vale Clearer than gla.s.s it flow'd. Autumnal spoils Luxuriant spreading to the rays of morn, Blush'd o'er the cliffs, whose half-encircling mound 290 As in a sylvan theatre enclosed That flowery level. On the river's brink I spied a fair pavilion, which diffused Its floating umbrage 'mid the silver shade Of osiers. Now the western sun reveal'd Between two parting cliffs his golden orb, And pour'd across the shadow of the hills, On rocks and floods, a yellow stream of light That cheer'd the solemn scene. My listening powers Were awed, and every thought in silence hung, 300 And wondering expectation. Then the voice Of that celestial power, the mystic show Declaring, thus my deep attention call'd:--

'Inhabitant of earth, [Endnote S] to whom is given The gracious ways of Providence to learn, Receive my sayings with a steadfast ear-- Know then, the Sovereign Spirit of the world, Though, self-collected from eternal time, Within his own deep essence he beheld The bounds of true felicity complete, 310 Yet by immense benignity inclined To spread around him that primeval joy Which fill'd himself, he raised his plastic arm, And sounded through the hollow depths of s.p.a.ce The strong, creative mandate. Straight arose These heavenly orbs, the glad abodes of life, Effusive kindled by his breath divine Through endless forms of being. Each inhaled From him its portion of the vital flame, In measure such, that, from the wide complex 320 Of coexistent orders, one might rise, One order, [Endnote T] all-involving and entire.

He too, beholding in the sacred light Of his essential reason, all the shapes Of swift contingence, all successive ties Of action propagated through the sum Of possible existence, he at once, Down the long series of eventful time, So fix'd the dates of being, so disposed, To every living soul of every kind 330 The field of motion and the hour of rest, That all conspired to his supreme design, To universal good: with full accord Answering the mighty model he had chose, The best and fairest [Endnote U] of unnumber'd worlds That lay from everlasting in the store Of his divine conceptions. Nor content, By one exertion of creative power His goodness to reveal; through every age, Through every moment up the tract of time, 340 His parent hand with ever new increase Of happiness and virtue has adorn'd The vast harmonious frame: his parent hand, From the mute sh.e.l.l-fish gasping on the sh.o.r.e, To men, to angels, to celestial minds, For ever leads the generations on To higher scenes of being; while, supplied From day to day with his enlivening breath, Inferior orders in succession rise To fill the void below. As flame ascends, [Endnote V] 350 As bodies to their proper centre move, As the poised ocean to the attracting moon Obedient swells, and every headlong stream Devolves its winding waters to the main; So all things which have life aspire to G.o.d, The sun of being, boundless, unimpair'd, Centre of souls! Nor does the faithful voice Of Nature cease to prompt their eager steps Aright; nor is the care of Heaven withheld From granting to the task proportion'd aid; 360 That in their stations all may persevere To climb the ascent of being, and approach For ever nearer to the life divine.--

'That rocky pile thou seest, that verdant lawn Fresh-water'd from the mountains. Let the scene Paint in thy fancy the primeval seat Of man, and where the Will Supreme ordain'd His mansion, that pavilion fair-diffused Along the shady brink; in this recess To wear the appointed season of his youth, 370 Till riper hours should open to his toil The high communion of superior minds, Of consecrated heroes and of G.o.ds.

Nor did the Sire Omnipotent forget His tender bloom to cherish; nor withheld Celestial footsteps from his green abode.

Oft from the radiant honours of his throne, He sent whom most he loved, the sovereign fair, The effluence of his glory, whom he placed Before his eyes for ever to behold; 380 The G.o.ddess from whose inspiration flows The toil of patriots, the delight of friends; Without whose work divine, in heaven or earth, Nought lovely, nought propitious, conies to pa.s.s, Nor hope, nor praise, nor honour. Her the Sire Gave it in charge to rear the blooming mind, The folded powers to open, to direct The growth luxuriant of his young desires, And from the laws of this majestic world To teach him what was good. As thus the nymph 390 Her daily care attended, by her side With constant steps her gay companion stay'd, The fair Euphrosyne, the gentle queen Of smiles, and graceful gladness, and delights That cheer alike the hearts of mortal men And powers immortal. See the shining pair!

Behold, where from his dwelling now disclosed They quit their youthful charge and seek the skies.'

I look'd, and on the flowery turf there stood Between two radiant forms a smiling youth 400 Whose tender cheeks display'd the vernal flower Of beauty: sweetest innocence illumed His bashful eyes, and on his polish'd brow Sate young simplicity. With fond regard He view'd the a.s.sociates, as their steps they moved; The younger chief his ardent eyes detain'd, With mild regret invoking her return.

Bright as the star of evening she appear'd Amid the dusky scene. Eternal youth O'er all her form its glowing honours breathed; 410 And smiles eternal from her candid eyes Flow'd, like the dewy l.u.s.tre of the morn Effusive trembling on the placid waves.

The spring of heaven had shed its blushing spoils To bind her sable tresses: full diffused Her yellow mantle floated in the breeze; And in her hand she waved a living branch Rich with immortal fruits, of power to calm The wrathful heart, and from the brightening eyes To chase the cloud of sadness. More sublime 420 The heavenly partner moved. The prime of age Composed her steps. The presence of a G.o.d, High on the circle of her brow enthroned, From each majestic motion darted awe, Devoted awe! till, cherish'd by her looks Benevolent and meek, confiding love To filial rapture soften'd all the soul.

Free in her graceful hand she poised the sword Of chaste dominion. An heroic crown Display'd the old simplicity of pomp 430 Around her honour'd head. A matron's robe, White as the sunshine streams through vernal clouds, Her stately form invested. Hand in hand The immortal pair forsook the enamel'd green, Ascending slowly. Rays of limpid light Gleam'd round their path; celestial sounds were heard, And through the fragrant air ethereal dews Distill'd around them; till at once the clouds, Disparting wide in midway sky, withdrew Their airy veil, and left a bright expanse 440 Of empyrean flame, where, spent and drown'd, Afflicted vision plunged in vain to scan What object it involved. My feeble eyes Endured not. Bending down to earth I stood, With dumb attention. Soon a female voice, As watery murmurs sweet, or warbling shades, With sacred invocation thus began:

'Father of G.o.ds and mortals! whose right arm With reins eternal guides the moving heavens, Bend thy propitious ear. Behold well pleased 450 I seek to finish thy divine decree.

With frequent steps I visit yonder seat Of man, thy offspring; from the tender seeds Of justice and of wisdom, to evolve The latent honours of his generous frame; Till thy conducting hand shall raise his lot From earth's dim scene to these ethereal walks, The temple of thy glory. But not me, Not my directing voice he oft requires, Or hears delighted: this enchanting maid, 460 The a.s.sociate thou hast given me, her alone He loves, O Father! absent, her he craves; And but for her glad presence ever join'd, Rejoices not in mine: that all my hopes This thy benignant purpose to fulfil, I deem uncertain: and my daily cares Unfruitful all and vain, unless by thee Still further aided in the work divine.'

She ceased; a voice more awful thus replied:-- 'O thou, in whom for ever I delight, 470 Fairer than all the inhabitants of Heaven, Best image of thy Author! far from thee Be disappointment, or distaste, or blame; Who soon or late shalt every work fulfil, And no resistance find. If man refuse To hearken to thy dictates; or, allured By meaner joys, to any other power Transfer the honours due to thee alone; That joy which he pursues he ne'er shall taste, That power in whom delighteth ne'er behold. 480 Go then, once more, and happy be thy toil; Go then! but let not this thy smiling friend Partake thy footsteps. In her stead, behold!

With thee the son of Nemesis I send; The fiend abhorr'd! whose vengeance takes account Of sacred order's violated laws.

See where he calls thee, burning to be gone, Pierce to exhaust the tempest of his wrath On yon devoted head. But thou, my child, Control his cruel frenzy, and protect 490 Thy tender charge; that when despair shall grasp His agonising bosom, he may learn, Then he may learn to love the gracious hand Alone sufficient in the hour of ill, To save his feeble spirit; then confess Thy genuine honours, O excelling fair!

When all the plagues that wait the deadly will Of this avenging demon, all the storms Of night infernal, serve but to display The energy of thy superior charms 500 With mildest awe triumphant o'er his rage, And shining clearer in the horrid gloom.'

Here ceased that awful voice, and soon I felt The cloudy curtain of refreshing eve Was closed once more, from that immortal fire Sheltering my eyelids. Looking up, I view'd A vast gigantic spectre striding on Through murmuring thunders and a waste of clouds, With dreadful action. Black as night his brow Relentless frowns involved. His savage limbs 510 With sharp impatience violent he writhed, As through convulsive anguish; and his hand, Arm'd with a scorpion lash, full oft he raised In madness to his bosom; while his eyes Rain'd bitter tears, and bellowing loud he shook The void with horror. Silent by his side The virgin came. No discomposure stirr'd Her features. From the glooms which hung around, No stain of darkness mingled with the beam Of her divine effulgence. Now they stoop 520 Upon the river bank; and now to hail His wonted guests, with eager steps advanced The unsuspecting inmate of the shade.

As when a famish'd wolf, that all night long Had ranged the Alpine snows, by chance at morn Sees from a cliff, inc.u.mbent o'er the smoke Of some lone village, a neglected kid That strays along the wild for herb or spring; Down from the winding ridge he sweeps amain, And thinks he tears him: so with tenfold rage, 530 The monster sprung remorseless on his prey.

Amazed the stripling stood: with panting breast Feebly he pour'd the lamentable wail Of helpless consternation, struck at once, And rooted to the ground. The Queen beheld His terror, and with looks of tenderest care Advanced to save him. Soon the tyrant felt Her awful power. His keen tempestuous arm Hung nerveless, nor descended where his rage Had aim'd the deadly blow: then dumb retired 540 With sullen rancour. Lo! the sovereign maid Folds with a mother's arms the fainting boy, Till life rekindles in his rosy cheek; Then grasps his hands, and cheers him with her tongue:--

'Oh, wake thee, rouse thy spirit! Shall the spite Of yon tormentor thus appal thy heart, While I, thy friend and guardian, am at hand To rescue and to heal? Oh, let thy soul Remember, what the will of heaven ordains Is ever good for all; and if for all, 550 Then good for thee. Nor only by the warmth And soothing sunshine of delightful things, Do minds grow up and flourish. Oft misled By that bland light, the young unpractised views Of reason wander through a fatal road, Far from their native aim; as if to lie Inglorious in the fragrant shade, and wait The soft access of ever circling joys, Were all the end of being. Ask thyself, This pleasing error did it never lull 560 Thy wishes? Has thy constant heart refused The silken fetters of delicious ease?

Or when divine Euphrosyne appear'd Within this dwelling, did not thy desires Hang far below the measure of thy fate, Which I reveal'd before thee, and thy eyes, Impatient of my counsels, turn away To drink the soft effusion of her smiles?

Know then, for this the everlasting Sire Deprives thee of her presence, and instead, 570 O wise and still benevolent! ordains This horrid visage hither to pursue My steps; that so thy nature may discern Its real good, and what alone can save Thy feeble spirit in this hour of ill From folly and despair. O yet beloved!

Let not this headlong terror quite o'erwhelm Thy scatter'd powers; nor fatal deem the rage Of this tormentor, nor his proud a.s.sault, While I am here to vindicate thy toil, 580 Above the generous question of thy arm.

Brave by thy fears and in thy weakness strong, This hour he triumphs: but confront his might, And dare him to the combat, then with ease Disarm'd and quell'd, his fierceness he resigns To bondage and to scorn: while thus inured By watchful danger, by unceasing toil, The immortal mind, superior to his fate, Amid the outrage of external things, Firm as the solid base of this great world, 590 Rests on his own foundations. Blow, ye winds!

Ye waves! ye thunders! roll your tempest on; Shake, ye old pillars of the marble sky!

Till all its...o...b.. and all its worlds of fire Be loosen'd from their seats; yet still serene, The unconquer'd mind looks down upon the wreck; And ever stronger as the storms advance, Firm through the closing ruin holds his way, Where Nature calls him to the destined goal.'

So spake the G.o.ddess; while through all her frame 600 Celestial raptures flow'd, in every word, In every motion kindling warmth divine To seize who listen'd. Vehement and swift As lightning fires the aromatic shade In Aethiopian fields, the stripling felt Her inspiration catch his fervid soul, And starting from his languor thus exclaim'd:--

'Then let the trial come! and witness thou, If terror be upon me; if I shrink To meet the storm, or falter in my strength 610 When hardest it besets me. Do not think That I am fearful and infirm of soul, As late thy eyes beheld: for thou hast changed My nature; thy commanding voice has waked My languid powers to bear me boldly on, Where'er the will divine my path ordains Through toil or peril: only do not thou Forsake me; Oh, be thou for ever near, That I may listen to thy sacred voice, And guide by thy decrees my constant feet. 620 But say, for ever are my eyes bereft?

Say, shall the fair Euphrosyne not once Appear again to charm me? Thou, in heaven!

O thou eternal arbiter of things!

Be thy great bidding done: for who am I, To question thy appointment? Let the frowns Of this avenger every morn o'ercast The cheerful dawn, and every evening damp With double night my dwelling; I will learn To hail them both, and unrepining bear 630 His hateful presence: but permit my tongue One glad request, and if my deeds may find Thy awful eye propitious, oh! restore The rosy-featured maid; again to cheer This lonely seat, and bless me with her smiles.'

He spoke; when instant through the sable glooms With which that furious presence had involved The ambient air, a flood of radiance came Swift as the lightning flash; the melting clouds Flew diverse, and amid the blue serene 640 Euphrosyne appear'd. With sprightly step The nymph alighted on the irriguous lawn, And to her wondering audience thus began:--

'Lo! I am here to answer to your vows, And be the meeting fortunate! I come With joyful tidings; we shall part no more-- Hark! how the gentle echo from her cell Talks through the cliffs, and murmuring o'er the stream Repeats the accents; we shall part no more.-- O my delightful friends! well pleased on high 650 The Father has beheld you, while the might Of that stern foe with bitter trial proved Your equal doings: then for ever spake The high decree, that thou, celestial maid!

Howe'er that grisly phantom on thy steps May sometimes dare intrude, yet never more Shalt thou, descending to the abode of man, Alone endure the rancour of his arm, Or leave thy loved Euphrosyne behind.'

She ended, and the whole romantic scene 660 Immediate vanish'd; rocks, and woods, and rills, The mantling tent, and each mysterious form Flew like the pictures of a morning dream, When sunshine fills the bed. Awhile I stood Perplex'd and giddy; till the radiant power Who bade the visionary landscape rise, As up to him I turn'd, with gentlest looks Preventing my inquiry, thus began:--

'There let thy soul acknowledge its complaint How blind, how impious! There behold the ways 670 Of Heaven's eternal destiny to man, For ever just, benevolent, and wise: That Virtue's awful steps, howe'er pursued By vexing fortune and intrusive pain, Should never be divided from her chaste, Her fair attendant, Pleasure. Need I urge Thy tardy thought through all the various round Of this existence, that thy softening soul At length may learn what energy the hand Of virtue mingles in the bitter tide 680 Of pa.s.sion swelling with distress and pain, To mitigate the sharp with gracious drops Of cordial pleasure? Ask the faithful youth, Why the cold urn of her whom long he loved So often fills his arms; so often draws His lonely footsteps at the silent hour, To pay the mournful tribute of his tears?

Oh! he will tell thee, that the wealth of worlds Should ne'er seduce his bosom to forego That sacred hour, when, stealing from the noise 690 Of care and envy, sweet remembrance soothes With virtue's kindest looks his aching breast, And turns his tears to rapture.--Ask the crowd Which flies impatient from the village walk To climb the neighbouring cliffs, when far below The cruel winds have hurl'd upon the coast Some helpless bark; while sacred Pity melts The general eye, or Terror's icy hand Smites their distorted limbs and horrent hair; While every mother closer to her breast 700 Catches her child, and pointing where the waves Foam through the shatter'd vessel, shrieks aloud As one poor wretch that spreads his piteous arms For succour, swallow'd by the roaring surge, As now another, dash'd against the rock, Drops lifeless down: Oh! deemest thou indeed No kind endearment here by Nature given To mutual terror and compa.s.sion's tears?

No sweetly melting softness which attracts, O'er all that edge of pain, the social powers 710 To this their proper action and their end?-- Ask thy own heart, when, at the midnight hour, Slow through that studious gloom thy pausing eye, Led by the glimmering taper, moves around The sacred volumes of the dead, the songs Of Grecian bards, and records writ by Fame For Grecian heroes, where the present power Of heaven and earth surveys the immortal page, Even as a father blessing, while he reads The praises of his son. If then thy soul, 720 Spurning the yoke of these inglorious days, Mix in their deeds, and kindle with their flame, Say, when the prospect blackens on thy view, When, rooted from the base, heroic states Mourn in the dust, and tremble at the frown Of cursed ambition; when the pious band Of youths who fought for freedom and their sires, Lie side by side in gore; when ruffian pride Usurps the throne of Justice, turns the pomp Of public power, the majesty of rule, 730 The sword, the laurel, and the purple robe, To slavish empty pageants, to adorn A tyrant's walk, and glitter in the eyes Of such as bow the knee; when honour'd urns Of patriots and of chiefs, the awful bust And storied arch, to glut the coward rage Of regal envy, strew the public way With hallow'd ruins; when the Muse's haunt, The marble porch where Wisdom wont to talk With Socrates or Tully, hears no more, 740 Save the hoa.r.s.e jargon of contentious monks, Or female Superst.i.tion's midnight prayer; When ruthless Rapine from the hand of Time Tears the destroying scythe, with surer blow To sweep the works of glory from their base; Till Desolation o'er the gra.s.s-grown street Expands his raven wings, and up the wall, Where senates once the price of monarchs doom'd, Hisses the gliding snake through h.o.a.ry weeds That clasp the mouldering column; thus defaced, 750 Thus widely mournful when the prospect thrills Thy beating bosom, when the patriot's tear Starts from thine eye, and thy extended arm In fancy hurls the thunderbolt of Jove To fire the impious wreath on Philip's [Endnote W] brow, Or dash Octavius from the trophied car; Say, does thy secret soul repine to taste The big distress? Or wouldst thou then exchange Those heart-enn.o.bling sorrows for the lot Of him who sits amid the gaudy herd 760 Of mute barbarians bending to his nod, And bears aloft his gold-invested front, And says within himself, I am a king, And wherefore should the clamorous voice of woe Intrude upon mine ear?--The baleful dregs Of these late ages, this inglorious draught Of servitude and folly, have not yet, Bless'd be the eternal Ruler of the world!

Defiled to such a depth of sordid shame The native honours of the human soul, 770 Nor so effaced the image of its Sire.'

BOOK III.

ARGUMENT.

Pleasure in observing the tempers and manners of men, even where vicious or absurd. The origin of Vice, from false representations of the fancy, producing false opinions concerning good and evil.

Inquiry into ridicule. The general sources of ridicule in the minds and characters of men, enumerated. Final cause of the sense of ridicule. The resemblance of certain aspects of inanimate things to the sensations and properties of the mind. The operations of the mind in the production of the works of Imagination, described. The secondary pleasure from Imitation. The benevolent order of the world ill.u.s.trated in the arbitrary connexion of these pleasures with the objects which excite them. The nature and conduct of taste.

Concluding with an account of the natural and moral advantages resulting from a sensible and well formed imagination.

What wonder therefore, since the endearing ties Of pa.s.sion link the universal kind Of man so close, what wonder if to search This common nature through the various change Of s.e.x, and age, and fortune, and the frame Of each peculiar, draw the busy mind With unresisted charms? The s.p.a.cious west, And all the teeming regions of the south, Hold not a quarry, to the curious flight Of Knowledge, half so tempting or so fair, 10 As man to man. Nor only where the smiles Of Love invite; nor only where the applause Of cordial Honour turns the attentive eye On Virtue's graceful deeds. For, since the course Of things external acts in different ways On human apprehensions, as the hand Of Nature temper'd to a different frame Peculiar minds; so haply where the powers Of Fancy [Endnote X] neither lessen nor enlarge The images of things, but paint in all 20 Their genuine hues, the features which they wore In Nature; there Opinion will be true, And Action right. For Action treads the path In which Opinion says he follows good, Or flies from evil; and Opinion gives Report of good or evil, as the scene Was drawn by Fancy, lovely or deform'd: Thus her report can never there be true Where Fancy cheats the intellectual eye, With glaring colours and distorted lines. 30 Is there a man, who, at the sound of death, Sees ghastly shapes of terror conjured up, And black before him; nought but death-bed groans And fearful prayers, and plunging from the brink Of light and being, down the gloomy air, An unknown depth? Alas! in such a mind, If no bright forms of excellence attend The image of his country; nor the pomp Of sacred senates, nor the guardian voice Of Justice on her throne, nor aught that wakes 40 The conscious bosom with a patriot's flame; Will not Opinion tell him, that to die, Or stand the hazard, is a greater ill Than to betray his country? And in act Will he not choose to be a wretch and live?

Here vice begins then. From the enchanting cup Which Fancy holds to all, the unwary thirst Of youth oft swallows a Circaean draught, That sheds a baleful tincture o'er the eye Of Reason, till no longer he discerns, 50 And only guides to err. Then revel forth A furious band that spurn him from the throne, And all is uproar. Thus Ambition grasps The empire of the soul; thus pale Revenge Unsheaths her murderous dagger; and the hands Of l.u.s.t and Rapine, with unholy arts, Watch to o'erturn the barrier of the laws That keeps them from their prey; thus all the plagues The wicked bear, or o'er the trembling scone The tragic Muse discloses, under shapes 60 Of honour, safety, pleasure, ease, or pomp, Stole first into the mind. Yet not by all Those lying forms, which Fancy in the brain Engenders, are the kindling pa.s.sions driven To guilty deeds; nor Reason bound in chains, That Vice alone may lord it: oft adorn'd With solemn pageants, Folly mounts the throne, And plays her idiot antics, like a queen.

A thousand garbs she wears; a thousand ways She wheels her giddy empire.--Lo! thus far 70 With bold adventure, to the Mantuan lyre I sing of Nature's charms, and touch well pleased A stricter note: now haply must my song Unbend her serious measure, and reveal In lighter strains, how Folly's awkward arts [Endnote Y]

Excite impetuous Laughter's gay rebuke; The sportive province of the comic Muse.

See! in what crowds the uncouth forms advance: Each would outstrip the other, each prevent Our careful search, and offer to your gaze, 80 Unask'd, his motley features. Wait awhile, My curious friends! and let us first arrange In proper order your promiscuous throng.

Behold the foremost band; [Endnote Z] of slender thought, And easy faith; whom flattering Fancy soothes With lying spectres, in themselves to view Ill.u.s.trious forms of excellence and good, That scorn the mansion. With exulting hearts They spread their spurious treasures to the sun, And bid the world admire! But chief the glance 90 Of wishful Envy draws their joy-bright eyes, And lifts with self-applause each lordly brow.

In number boundless as the blooms of Spring, Behold their glaring idols, empty shades By Fancy gilded o'er, and then set up For adoration. Some in Learning's garb, With formal band, and sable-cinctured gown, And rags of mouldy volumes. Some elate With martial splendour, steely pikes and swords Of costly frame, and gay Phoenician robes 100 Inwrought with flowery gold, a.s.sume the port Of stately Valour: listening by his side There stands a female form; to her, with looks Of earnest import, pregnant with amaze, He talks of deadly deeds, of breaches, storms, And sulphurous mines, and ambush: then at once Breaks off, and smiles to see her look so pale, And asks some wondering question of her fears.

Others of graver mien; behold, adorn'd With holy ensigns, how sublime they move, 110 And bending oft their sanctimonious eyes Take homage of the simple-minded throng; Amba.s.sadors of Heaven! Nor much unlike Is he, whose visage in the lazy mist That mantles every feature, hides a brood Of politic conceits, of whispers, nods, And hints deep omen'd with unwieldy schemes, And dark portents of state. Ten thousand more, Prodigious habits and tumultuous tongues, Pour dauntless in and swell the boastful band. 120

Then comes the second order; [Endnote AA] all who seek The debt of praise, where watchful Unbelief Darts through the thin pretence her squinting eye On some retired appearance which belies The boasted virtue, or annuls the applause That Justice else would pay. Here side by side I see two leaders of the solemn train Approaching: one a female old and gray, With eyes demure, and wrinkle-furrow'd brow, Pale as the cheeks of death; yet still she stuns 130 The sickening audience with a nauseous tale, How many youths her myrtle chains have worn, How many virgins at her triumphs pined!

Yet how resolved she guards her cautious heart; Such is her terror at the risks of love, And man's seducing tongue! The other seems A bearded sage, ungentle in his mien, And sordid all his habit; peevish Want Grins at his heels, while down the gazing throng He stalks, resounding in magnific praise 140 The vanity of riches, the contempt Of pomp and power. Be prudent in your zeal, Ye grave a.s.sociates! let the silent grace Of her who blushes at the fond regard Her charms inspire, more eloquent unfold The praise of spotless honour: let the man, Whose eye regards not his ill.u.s.trious pomp And ample store, but as indulgent streams To cheer the barren soil and spread the fruits Of joy, let him by juster measures fix 150 The price of riches and the end of power.

Another tribe succeeds; [Endnote BB] deluded long By Fancy's dazzling optics, these behold The images of some peculiar things With brighter hues resplendent, and portray'd With features n.o.bler far than e'er adorn'd Their genuine objects. Hence the fever'd heart Pants with delirious hope for tinsel charms; Hence oft obtrusive on the eye of scorn, Untimely zeal her witless pride betrays! 160 And serious manhood from the towering aim Of wisdom, stoops to emulate the boast Of childish toil. Behold yon mystic form Bedeck'd with feathers, insects, weeds, and sh.e.l.ls!

Not with intenser view the Samian sage Bent his fix'd eye on heaven's intenser fires, When first the order of that radiant scene Swell'd his exulting thought, than this surveys A muckworm's entrails, or a spider's fang.

Next him a youth, with flowers and myrtles crown'd, 170 Attends that virgin form, and blushing kneels, With fondest gesture and a suppliant's tongue, To win her coy regard: adieu, for him, The dull engagements of the bustling world!

Adieu the sick impertinence of praise!

And hope, and action! for with her alone, By streams and shades, to steal these sighing hours, Is all he asks, and all that fate can give!

Thee too, facetious Momion, wandering here, Thee, dreaded censor, oft have I beheld 180 Bewilder'd unawares: alas! too long Flush'd with thy comic triumphs and the spoils Of sly derision! till on every side Hurling thy random bolts, offended Truth a.s.sign'd thee here thy station with the slaves Of Folly. Thy once formidable name Shall grace her humble records, and be heard In scoffs and mockery bandied from the lips Of all the vengeful brotherhood around, So oft the patient victims of thy scorn. 190

But now, ye gay! [Endnote CC] to whom indulgent fate, Of all the Muse's empire hath a.s.sign'd The fields of folly, hither each advance Your sickles; here the teeming soil affords Its richest growth. A favourite brood appears, In whom the demon, with a mother's joy, Views all her charms reflected, all her cares At full repaid. Ye most ill.u.s.trious band!

Who, scorning Reason's tame, pedantic rules, And Order's vulgar bondage, never meant 200 For souls sublime as yours, with generous zeal Pay Vice the reverence Virtue long usurp'd, And yield Deformity the fond applause Which Beauty wont to claim, forgive my song, That for the blushing diffidence of youth, It shuns the unequal province of your praise.

Thus far triumphant [Endnote DD] in the pleasing guile Of bland Imagination, Folly's train Have dared our search: but now a dastard kind Advance reluctant, and with faltering feet 210 Shrink from the gazer's eye: enfeebled hearts Whom Fancy chills with visionary fears, Or bends to servile tameness with conceits Of shame, of evil, or of base defect, Fantastic and delusive. Here the slave Who droops abash'd when sullen Pomp surveys His humbler habit; here the trembling wretch Unnerved and struck with Terror's icy bolts, Spent in weak wailings, drown'd in shameful tears, At every dream of danger: here, subdued 220 By frontless laughter and the hardy scorn Of old, unfeeling vice, the abject soul, Who, blushing, half resigns the candid praise Of Temperance and Honour; half disowns A freeman's hatred of tyrannic pride; And hears with sickly smiles the venal mouth With foulest licence mock the patriot's name.

Last of the motley bands [Endnote EE] on whom the power Of gay Derision bends her hostile aim, Is that where shameful Ignorance presides. 230 Beneath her sordid banners, lo! they march Like blind and lame. Whate'er their doubtful hands Attempt, Confusion straight appears behind, And troubles all the work. Through many a maze, Perplex'd they struggle, changing every path, O'erturning every purpose; then at last Sit down dismay'd, and leave the entangled scene For Scorn to sport with. Such then is the abode Of Folly in the mind; and such the shapes In which she governs her obsequious train. 240