ODE TO AMBITION. Richard Shepherd Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T116245 1122 K093079.001 Pearch, G. A collection of poems in four volumes. By several hands. Vol. I. [The second edition]. London printed for G. Pearch 1770 pp. 284-286. 4v. ; 8⁰.

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ODE TO AMBITION . BY THE SAME . O'ER midnight glass , or by the fair In dalliance soft carest ; Without a thought , without a care To discompose their rest , The meaner herd exulting pant to rove The flowery paths of Pleasure's fairy grove : While more determin'd bosoms glow With high Ambition's fires ; Source of whate'er is great below , The grave of mean desires : Adieu for them the pleasure-winged hour , Adieu the bed of ease , the Paphian bower ! Tho' rough the paths that lead to Fame ; Their steps no toils dismay ; Ambition aids the generous aim , And smooths the rugged way : With all its lustre bids bright Virtue shine , And into action wakes the big design . What breaks th' aspiring statesman's rest ? What gives the Muse to sing ? Ambition wakes his anxious breast , And plumes her towering wing : Instructs the feeble Monarch how to bear The crown , and all the thorns that fasten there . The General's wakeful bosom fires , And guards the jealous camp ; The Scholar's flattering hope inspires , And trims the midnight lamp ; The pride of arts from fair Ambition springs , And blooms secure beneath her fostering wings . Oft , Goddess , as thy genial ray Pervades the feeling heart , Love trembling quits his sensual sway , And drops his feeble dart : The flowers , that in the Paphian garden grow , Fade in the wreath that rounds the hero's brow . Pleasure retreats with wanton smiles , And Strength-unnerving eyes ; Hoping in vain by Parthian wiles To conquer as she flies : Sloth with reluctance quits her foul embrace , Rough Care and manly Toil assume her place . Virtue with firm quaternion band His eager steps precedes ; A flambleau grasping in her hand , To light to glorious deeds : The sister-train his toils with glory crown , And point the arduous paths to fair renown . By these inspir'd young Scipio trod To Fame th' adventurous way ; " By Love , he cry'd , let Paphos' god The softer soul betray ; A nobler quarry lures the hero's eye : " He spoke , and bade th' unconquer'd eagle fly . Hence then , ye Slaves , whom Ease delights , To yon lone cloyster stray , Where monkish apathy invites To dose tame life away : True Worth , that spurns the hermit's sluggard cell , In Glory's active courts delights to dwell .