ODE on Ambition. Sir James Marriott 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. T131163 K104099.004 Dodsley, Robert, 1703-1764. A Collection of Poems in Six Volumes. By Several Hands. Vol. IV. London printed by J. Hughs, for R. and J. Dodsley 1763 [1st ed. 1758] pp. 285-287. 6v.: music; 8⁰.

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ODE on Ambition . By the Same . THE mariner , when first he sails , While his bold oars the sparkling surface sweep , With new delight , transported hails The blue expanded skies , and level deep . Such young Ambition's fearless aim , Pleas'd with the gorgeous scene of wealth and power , In the gay morn of early fame , Nor thinks of evening storm , and gloomy hour . Life's opening views bright charms reveal , Feed the fond wish , and fan the youthful fire . But woes unknown those charms conceal , And fair illusions cheat our fierce desire . There Envy shows her sullen mien , With changeful colour , grinning smiles of hate : There Malice stabs , with rage serene ; In deadly silence , treacherous Friendships wait . High on a mountain's lofty brow , ' Mid clouds and storms , has Glory fix'd her seat ; Rock'd by the roaring winds that blow , The lightnings blast it , and the tempests beat . Within the sun-gilt vale beneath , More moderate Hope with sweet Contentment dwells . While gentler breezes round them breathe , And softer showers refresh their peaceful cells . To better genius ever blind , That points to each in varied life his share , Man quits the path by heaven design'd , To search for bliss among the thorns of care . Our native powers we scorn to know ; With stedfast error still the wrong pursue ; Instruct our forward ills to grow ; While sad successes but our pain renew . In vain heaven tempers life with sweet , With flowers the way , that leads us home , bestrews , If dupes to passion , and deceit , We drink the bitter , and the rugged chuse . Few can on Grandeur's stage appear , Each lofty part with true applause sustain , No common virtue safe can steer , Where rocks unnumber'd lurk beneath the main . Then happiest he , whose timely hand To cool Discretion has the helm resign'd ; Enjoys the calm , in sight of land , From changing tides secure , and trustless wind .