Of man's occasions, when in him reside Grace, knowledge, comfort-an unfathom'd store? Has Epictetus, Plato, Tully, preach'd! 540 Men that, if now alive, would sit content And humble learners of a Saviour's worth, Preach it who might. Such was their love of truth, 54 Their thirst of knowledge, and their candour too. 550 And loose example, whom he should instruct; The brightest truths that man has ever seen. 555 For ghostly counsel; if it either fall Below the exigence, or be not back'd With show of love, at least with hopeful proof The weak perhaps are mov'd, but are not taught While prejudice in men of stronger minds Takes deeper root, confirm'd by what they see. Upon the roving and untutor'd heart 570 Soon follows, and, the curb of conscience snapp'd The laity run wild. But do they now? Note their extravagance, and be convinc'd. As nations, ignorant of God, contrive A wooden one: so we, no longer taught Of whom I needs must augur better things, Since Heav'n would sure grow weary of a world 575 580 A monitor is wood-plank shaven thin. 585 We wear it at our backs. There, closely brac'd The prominent and most unsightly bones, And binds the shoulder flat. We prove its use 590 A form, not now gymnastick as of yore, From rickets, and distortion, else our lot. But thus admonish'd, we can walk erect→→→ One proof at least of manhood! while the friend Sticks close, a Mentor worthy of his charge. 595 Our habits, costlier than Lucullus wore, Just please us while the fashion is at full, But change with ev'ry moon. The sycophant, 600 Surveys his fair reversion with keen eye; Finds one ill made, another obsolete, This fits not nicely, that is ill conceiv'd; And, making prize of all that he condemns, With our expenditure defrays his own. 605 Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour. We have run Through ev'ry change, that Fancy at the loom And studious of mutation still, discard 610 A real elegance, a little us'd, For monstrous novelty and strange disguise. We sacrifice to dress, till household joys And comforts cease. Dress drains our cellar dry, Where peace and hospitality might reign. What man that lives, and that knows how to live, 615 A form as splendid as the proudest there, 620 Though appetite raise outcries at the cost? A man o' th' town dines late, but soon enough, T' ensure a side-box station at half price. You think, perhaps, so delicate his dress, 625 He picks clean teeth, and, busy as he seems With magick wand. So potent is the spell, 630 That none, decoy'd into that fatal ring, Unless by Heav'n's peculiar grace, escape. There we grow early gray, but never wise; There form connexions, but acquire no friend; Solicit pleasure hopeless of success ; 635 Waste youth in occupations only fit For second childhood, and devote old age 640 To sports, which only childhood could excuse. 650 May feed excesses she can ill afford, Is hackney'd home unlackey'd; who, in haste And, at the watchman's lantern borrowing light, Finds a cold bed her only comfort left. 655 Wives beggar husbands, husbands starve their wives, On Fortune's velvet altar off'ring up Their last poor pittance-Fortune, most severe Than all that held their routs in Juno's Heav'n.- 660 So fare we in this prison-house, the World; And 'tis a fearful spectacle to see So many maniacks dancing in their chains. 665 That waste our vitals; peculation, sale Of honour, perjury, corruption, frauds 670 By tricks and lies as num'rous and as keen 675 A priesthood, such as Baal's was of old, 680 That gives society its beauty, strength, Convenience, security, and use: Makes men mere vermin, worthy to be trapp'd Can seize the slippery prey: unties the knot 685 Of union, and converts the sacred band Of grossest nature and of worst effects, In colleges and halls in ancient days, Play'd on his lips; and in his speech was heard 690 695 700 705 Was to encourage goodness. He would stroke 710 That blush'd at his own praise: and press the youth Close to his side that pleas'd him. Learning grew Beneath his care, a thriving vig'rous plant; The mind was well informed, the passions held 715 Subordinate, and diligence was choice. If e'er it chanc'd, as sometimes chance it must, That one among so many overleap'd The limits of control, his gentle eye Grew stern, and darted a severe rebuke; 720 His frown was full of terrour, and his voice Shook the delinquent with such fits of awe, As left him not, till penitence had won Lost favour back again, and clos'd the breach. 725 |