The
PICTURE
of
HUMAN
LIFE
.
Translated
from
the
GREEK
of
CEBES
the
THEBAN
.
By
Mr.
T.
SCOTT
.
Et
vitae
monstrata
via
est
.
HOR.
WHILE
Saturn's
This
temple
was
probably
in
the
city
of
Thebes
,
for
Cebes
was
a
Theban
.
fane
with
solemn
step
we
trod
,
And
view'd
the
Devout
offerings
,
for
the
most
part
in
discharge
of
vows
.
votive
honours
of
the
God
,
A
pictur'd
tablet
,
o'er
the
portal
rais'd
,
Attach'd
our
eye
:
in
wonder
lost
,
we
gaz'd
.
The
pencil
there
some
strange
device
had
wrought
,
And
fables
,
all
its
own
,
disguis'd
the
thought
.
Nor
camp
it
seem'd
,
nor
city
:
the
design
,
Whose
moral
mock'd
our
labour
to
divine
,
Was
a
wall'd
court
,
where
rose
another
bound
,
And
,
higher
still
,
a
third
still
less'ning
ground
.
The
nether
area
open'd
,
at
a
gate
Where
a
vast
crowd
impatient
seem'd
to
wait
.
Within
,
a
group
of
female
figures
stood
,
In
motley
dress
,
a
sparkling
multitude
.
Without
,
in
station
at
the
porch
,
was
seen
A
venerable
form
,
in
act
and
mien
Like
some
great
teacher
who
with
urgent
tongue
,
Authoritative
,
warn'd
the
rushing
throng
.
From
doubt
to
doubt
we
wander'd
;
when
appear'd
A
sire
,
who
thus
the
hard
solution
clear'd
.
Strangers
,
that
allegoric
scene
,
I
guess
,
Conquers
your
skill
,
our
home-born
wits
no
less
.
A
foreigner
,
long
since
,
whose
nobler
mind
Learning's
best
culture
to
strong
genius
join'd
,
Here
liv'd
,
convers'd
,
and
shew'd
th'
admiring
age
Another
Samian
or
Elean
sage
.
He
rear'd
this
dome
to
Saturn's
aweful
name
,
And
gave
that
portrait
to
eternal
same
.
He
reason'd
much
,
high
argument
he
chose
,
High
as
his
theme
his
great
conceptions
rose
.
Such
wisdom
flowing
from
a
mouth
but
young
I
heard
astonish'd
,
and
enjoy'd
it
long
:
Him
oft
I
heard
this
moral
piece
expound
,
With
nervous
eloquence
and
sense
profound
.
Father
,
if
leisure
with
thy
will
conspire
,
Yield
,
yield
that
comment
to
our
warm
desire
.
Free
to
bestow
,
I
warn
you
first
,
beware
:
Danger
impends
,
which
summons
all
your
care
.
Wise
,
virtuous
,
blest
,
whose
heart
our
precepts
gain
,
The
Caselian
and
Salmasian
editions
read
foreign
wicked
,
instead
of
foreign
bitter
.
JOHNSON
.
Abandon'd
,
blind
,
and
wretched
,
who
disdain
.
For
know
,
our
purpos'd
theme
resembles
best
The
fam'd
Enigma
of
the
Theban
pest
:
Th'
interpreter
a
plighted
crown
enjoy'd
,
The
stupid
perish'd
,
by
the
Sphinx
destroy'd
.
Count
folly
as
a
Sphinx
to
all
mankind
,
Her
problem
,
How
is
Good
and
Ill
defin'd
?
Misjudging
here
,
by
Folly's
law
we
die
,
Not
instant
victims
of
her
cruelty
;
From
day
to
day
our
reasoning
part
she
wounds
,
Devours
its
strength
,
its
noblest
pow'rs
confounds
:
Awakes
the
lash
of
Vid.
v.
186.
Punishment
,
and
tears
The
mind
with
pangs
which
guilty
life
prepares
,
With
opposite
effect
,
where
thoughtful
skill
Discerns
the
boundaries
of
Good
and
Ill
,
Folly
must
perish
;
and
th'
illumin'd
breast
To
Virtue
sav'd
,
is
like
th'
immortals
blest
.
Give
audience
,
then
,
with
no
unheeding
ear
.
O
haste
,
no
heedless
auditors
stand
here
,
With
strong
desire
,
in
dread
suspence
we
wait
,
So
great
the
blessing
,
and
the
bane
so
great
.
Instant
,
he
rais'd
his
oratorial
hand
,
And
said
(
our
eye
he
guided
with
a
wand
)
Behold
life's
pencil'd
scene
,
the
natal
gate
,
The
numbers
thronging
into
mortal
state
.
Which
danger's
path
,
and
which
to
safety
bears
,
That
ancient
,
Genius
of
mankind
,
declares
.
See
him
aloft
,
benevolent
he
bends
,
One
hand
is
pointing
,
one
a
roll
extends
Reason's
imperial
code
;
by
heav'n
imprest
In
living
letters
on
the
human
breast
.
Oppos'd
to
him
,
Delusion
plies
her
part
,
With
skin
of
borrow'd
snow
,
and
blush
of
art
,
With
hypocritic
fawn
,
and
eyes
askance
Whence
soft
infection
steals
in
every
glance
,
Her
faithless
hand
presents
a
crystal
bowl
,
Whose
pois'nous
draught
intoxicates
the
soul
.
Error
and
ignorance
infus'd
,
compose
The
fatal
beverage
which
her
fraud
bestows
.
Is
that
the
hard
condition
of
our
birth
?
Must
all
drink
Error
who
appear
on
earth
?
All
;
yet
in
some
their
measure
drowns
the
mind
,
Others
but
taste
,
less
erring
and
less
blind
.
The
first
court
,
or
the
sensual
life
.
Th'
Opinions
,
and
Desires
,
and
Pleasures
rise
Behind
the
gate
,
thick-glitt'ring
on
our
eyes
;
Thick
as
bright
atoms
in
the
solar
ray
,
Diverse
their
drap'ry
and
profusely
gay
.
These
tempting
forms
,
each
like
a
mistress
drest
,
Our
early
steps
with
powerful
charms
arrest
:
Soon
as
we
enter
life
,
with
various
art
Of
dalliance
they
assail
th'
unguarded
heart
.
All
promise
joy
,
we
rush
to
their
embrace
;
To
bliss
or
ruin
here
begins
our
race
.
Happy
,
thrice
happy
,
who
intrust
their
youth
To
right
Opinions
,
and
ascend
to
Truth
:
Whom
Wisdom
tutors
,
whom
the
Virtues
hail
,
And
with
their
own
substantial
feast
regale
.
The
rest
are
harlots
:
by
their
flatt'ries
won
,
In
chase
of
empty
sciences
we
run
:
Or
Fortune's
vanities
pursue
,
and
stray
With
sensual
Pleasure
in
more
dang'rous
way
.
See
the
mad
rounds
their
giddy
followers
tread
,
Delusion's
cup
strong-working
in
their
head
.
Fast
as
one
shoal
of
fools
have
delug'd
thro'
,
Succeeding
shoals
the
busy
farce
renew
.
Who
on
that
globe
stands
stretching
to
her
flight
?
Wild
seems
her
aspect
,
and
bereav'd
of
sight
.
Fortune
,
blind
,
frantic
,
deaf
.
With
restless
wings
The
world
she
ranges
,
and
her
favours
flings
:
Flings
and
resumes
,
and
plunders
and
bestows
,
Caprice
divides
the
blessings
and
the
woes
.
Her
grace
unstable
as
her
tott'ring
ball
,
Whene'er
she
smiles
she
meditates
our
fall
.
When
most
we
trust
her
,
we
are
cheated
most
,
In
desolating
loss
we
mourn
our
boast
:
Her
cruel
blast
invades
our
hasty
fruit
,
And
withers
all
our
glory
at
the
root
.
What
mean
those
multitudes
around
her
?
Why
Such
motley
attitudes
perplex
our
eye
?
Some
,
in
the
act
of
wildest
rapture
,
leap
,
In
agony
some
wring
their
hands
,
and
weep
.
Th'
unreas'ning
crowd
;
to
passion's
sequel
blind
,
By
passion
fir'd
and
impotent
of
mind
:
Competitors
in
clamorous
,
suit
to
share
The
toys
she
tosses
with
regardless
air
;
Trifles
,
for
solid
worth
by
most
pursu'd
,
Bright-colour'd
vapours
and
fantastic
good
:
The
pageantry
of
wealth
,
the
blaze
of
fame
,
Titles
,
an
offspring
to
extend
the
name
,
Huge
strength
,
or
beauty
which
the
strong
obey
,
The
victor's
laurel
,
and
despotic
sway
.
These
,
humour'd
in
their
vows
,
with
lavish
praise
The
glory
of
the
gracious
goddess
raise
:
Those
other
,
losers
in
her
chance
full
game
,
Shorn
of
their
all
,
or
frustrate
in
their
aim
,
In
murmurs
of
their
hard
mishap
complain
,
And
curse
her
partial
and
malignant
reign
.
Now
,
further
still
in
this
low
sensual
ground
,
Traverse
yon
flow'ry
mount's
sequester'd
bound
.
In
the
green
center
of
those
citron
shades
,
'Mong
gardens
,
fountains
,
bow'ry
walks
,
and
glades
,
Voluptuous
Sin
her
pow'rful
spells
employs
,
Souls
to
seduce
,
seducing
she
destroys
.
See
!
Lewdness
,
loosely
zon'd
,
her
bosom
bares
,
See
!
Riot
her
luxurious
bowl
prepares
:
There
stands
Avidity
,
with
ardent
eye
,
There
dimpling
Adulation
smooths
her
lye
.
There
station'd
to
what
end
?
In
watch
for
prey
,
Fortune's
infatuate
favourites
of
a
day
.
These
they
caress
,
they
flatter
,
they
entreat
To
try
the
pleasures
of
their
soft
retreat
,
Life
disencumber'd
,
frolicksom
,
and
free
,
All
ease
,
all
mirth
,
and
high
felicity
.
Whome'er
by
their
inveigling
arts
they
win
To
tread
that
magic
paradise
of
Sin
,
In
airy
dance
his
jocund
hours
skim
round
,
Sparkles
the
bowl
,
the
festal
songs
resound
:
His
blood
ferments
,
fir'd
by
the
wanton
glance
,
And
his
loose
soul
dissolves
in
am'rous
trance
.
While
circulating
joys
to
joys
succeed
,
While
new
delights
the
sweet
delirium
feed
;
The
prodigal
,
in
raptur'd
fancy
,
roves
O'er
fairy
fields
and
thro'
Elysian
groves
:
Sees
glitt'ring
visions
in
succession
rise
,
And
laughs
at
Socrates
the
chaste
and
wise
.
'Till
,
sober'd
by
distress
,
awake
,
confus'd
,
Amaz'd
,
he
knows
himself
a
wretch
abus'd
;
A
short
illusion
his
imagin'd
feast
,
Himself
the
game
,
himself
the
slaughter'd
beast
.
Now
,
raving
for
his
squander'd
wealth
in
vain
,
Slave
to
those
tyrant
jilts
he
drags
their
chain
:
Compell'd
to
suffer
hard
and
hungry
need
,
Compell'd
to
dare
each
foul
and
desp'rate
deed
.
Villain
,
or
knave
,
he
joins
the
sharping
tribe
,
Robs
altars
,
or
is
perjur'd
for
a
bribe
:
Stabs
for
a
purse
,
his
country
pawns
for
gold
,
To
every
crime
of
blackest
horror
sold
.
Shiftless
at
length
,
of
all
resource
bereft
,
In
the
dire
gripe
of
Punishment
he's
left
.
Observe
this
strait-mouth'd
cave
:
th'
unwilling
light
Just
shews
the
dismal
deep
descent
to
night
.
In
centry
see
these
haggard
crones
,
whose
brows
Rude
locks
o'erhang
,
a
frown
their
forehead
plows
:
Swarthy
and
foul
their
shrivell'd
skin
behold
,
And
flutt'ring
shreds
their
vile
defence
from
cold
.
High-brandishing
her
lash
,
with
stern
regard
,
Stands
Punishment
,
an
ever-waking
ward
;
While
sullen
Melancholy
mopes
behind
,
Fix'd
,
with
her
head
upon
her
knees
reclin'd
:
And
,
frantic
with
remorseful
fury
,
there
Fierce
Anguish
stamps
,
and
rends
her
shaggy
hair
.
Who
that
ill-featur'd
spectre
of
a
man
,
Shiv'ring
in
nakedness
,
so
spare
and
wan
?
And
she
,
whose
eye
aghast
with
horror
stares
,
Whose
meagre
form
a
sister's
likeness
bears
?
Loud
Lamentation
,
wild
Despair
.
All
these
,
Fell
vulturs
,
the
devoted
caitiff
seize
.
Ah
dreadful
durance
!
with
these
fiends
to
dwell
!
What
tongue
the
terrors
of
his
soul
can
tell
?
Worry'd
by
these
foul
fiends
,
the
wretch
begins
Sharp
penance
,
wages
of
remember'd
sins
:
Then
deeper
sinks
,
plung'd
in
the
pit
of
Woe
,
Worse
suff'rings
in
worse
hell
to
undergo
:
Unless
,
rare
guest
,
Repentance
o'er
the
gloom
Diffuse
her
radiance
,
and
repeal
his
doom
.
She
comes
!
meek-ey'd
,
array'd
in
grave
attire
,
See
Right
Opinion
,
join'd
with
Good
Desire
,
Handmaids
of
Truth
:
with
those
,
an
adverse
pair
(
False
Wisdom's
minions
,
that
deceiving
fair
)
Attend
her
solemn
step
:
the
furies
flee
.
Come
forth
,
she
calls
,
come
forth
to
liberty
,
Guilt-harrass'd
thrall
:
thy
future
lot
decide
,
And
,
pond'ring
well
,
elect
thy
future
guide
.
Momentous
option
!
chusing
right
he'll
find
A
sov'reign
med'cine
for
his
ulcer'd
mind
;
Led
to
True
Wisdom
,
whose
cathartic
bowl
Recovers
and
beatifies
the
soul
.
Misguided
else
,
a
counterfeit
he'll
gain
,
Whose
art
is
only
to
amuse
the
brain
:
From
vice
to
studious
folly
now
he
flies
,
From
bliss
still
erring
,
still
betray'd
by
lies
.
O
heavens
!
where
end
the
risks
we
mortals
run
?
How
dreadful
this
,
and
yet
how
hard
to
shun
!
Say
,
father
,
what
distinctive
marks
declare
That
counterfeit
of
Wisdom
?
The
second
court
,
or
the
studious
life
.
View
her
there
.
At
yonder
gate
,
with
decent
port
,
she
stands
,
Her
spotless
form
that
second
court
commands
:
Styl'd
Wisdom
by
the
crowd
,
the
thinking
few
Know
her
disguise
,
the
phantom
of
the
true
:
Skill'd
in
all
learning
,
skill'd
in
ev'ry
art
To
grace
the
head
,
not
meliorate
the
heart
.
The
sav'd
,
who
meditate
their
noble
flight
From
a
bad
world
,
to
Wisdom's
lofty
height
,
Just
touching
at
this
inn
,
for
short
repast
,
Then
speed
their
journey
forward
to
its
last
.
This
the
sole
path
?
Another
path
there
lies
,
The
plain
man's
path
,
without
proud
Science
wise
.
Who
they
,
which
traverse
this
deluder's
bound
?
A
busy
scene
,
all
thought
or
action
round
.
Her
lovers
,
whom
her
specious
beauty
warms
,
Who
grasp
,
in
vision
,
Truth's
immortal
charms
,
Vain
of
the
glory
of
a
false
embrace
:
Fierce
syllogistic
tribes
,
a
wrangling
race
,
Bards
rapt
beyond
the
moon
on
Fancy's
wings
,
And
mighty
masters
of
the
vocal
strings
:
Those
who
on
labour'd
speeches
waste
their
oil
,
Those
who
in
crabbed
calculations
toil
,
Who
measure
earth
,
who
climb
the
starry
road
,
And
human
fates
by
heav'nly
signs
forebode
,
Pleasure's
philosophers
,
Lyceum's
pride
,
Disdainful
soaring
up
to
heights
untry'd
.
All
who
in
learned
trifles
spin
their
wit
,
Or
comment
on
the
works
by
triflers
writ
.
Who
are
yon
active
females
,
like
in
face
To
the
lewd
harlots
,
in
the
nether
space
,
Vile
agents
of
voluptuous
Sin
?
The
same
.
Admitted
here
?
Ev'n
here
,
eternal
shame
!
They
boast
some
rarer
less
ignoble
spoils
,
Art
,
wit
,
and
reason
,
tangled
in
their
toils
.
And
Fancy
,
with
th'
Opinions
in
her
rear
,
Enjoys
these
studious
walks
,
no
stranger
here
:
Where
wild
hypothesis
,
and
learn'd
romance
Too
oft
lead
up
the
philosophic
dance
.
Still
these
ingenious
heads
alas
!
retain
Delusion's
dose
,
still
the
vile
dregs
remain
Of
ignorance
with
madding
folly
join'd
,
And
a
foul
heart
pollutes
th'
embellish'd
mind
.
Nor
will
presumption
from
their
souls
recede
,
Nor
will
they
from
one
vicious
plague
be
freed
,
'Till
,
weary
of
these
vanities
,
they've
found
Th'
exalted
way
to
Truth's
enlighten'd
ground
,
Quaff'd
her
cathartic
,
and
all
cleans'd
within
,
By
that
strong
energy
,
from
pride
and
sin
,
Are
heal'd
and
sav'd
.
But
loit'ring
here
they
spend
Life's
precious
hours
in
thinking
to
no
end
:
From
science
up
to
science
let
them
rise
,
And
arrogate
the
swelling
style
of
wise
,
Their
wisdom's
folly
,
impotent
and
blind
,
Which
cures
not
one
distemper
of
the
mind
.
Enough
.
Discover
now
the
faithful
road
,
Which
mounts
us
to
the
joys
of
Truth's
abode
.
Survey
this
solitary
waste
,
which
rears
Nor
bush
nor
herb
,
nor
cottage
there
appears
.
At
distance
see
yon
strait
and
lonely
gate
(
No
crowds
at
the
forbidding
entrance
wait
)
Its
avenue
a
rugged
rocky
soil
,
Travell'd
with
painful
step
and
tedious
toil
.
Beyond
the
wicket
,
tow'ring
in
the
skies
See
Difficulty's
cragged
mountain
rise
,
Narrow
and
sharp
th'
ascent
;
each
edge
a
brink
,
Whence
to
vast
depth
dire
precipices
sink
.
Is
that
the
way
to
Wisdom
?
Dreadful
way
!
The
landskip
frowns
with
danger
and
dismay
.
Yet
higher
still
,
around
the
mountain's
brow
Winds
yon
huge
rock
,
whose
steep
smooth
sides
allow
No
track
.
Its
top
two
sister
figures
grace
,
Health's
rosy
habit
glowing
in
their
face
.
With
arms
protended
o'er
the
verge
they
lean
,
The
promptitude
of
friendship
in
their
mien
.
The
pow'rs
of
Continence
and
Patience
,
there
Station'd
by
Wisdom
,
her
commission
bear
To
rouze
the
spirit
of
her
fainting
son
Thus
far
advanc'd
,
and
urge
and
urge
him
on
.
Courage
!
they
call
,
the
coward's
sloth
disdain
,
Yet
,
yet
awhile
,
the
noble
toil
sustain
:
A
lovely
path
soon
opens
to
your
sight
.
But
ah
!
how
climb'd
that
rock's
bare
slipp'ry
height
?
These
generous
guides
,
who
Virtue's
course
befriend
,
In
succour
of
her
pilgrim
,
swift
descend
,
Draw
up
their
trembling
charge
;
then
,
smiling
,
greet
With
kind
command
to
rest
his
weary
feet
,
With
their
own
force
his
panting
breast
they
arm
,
And
with
their
own
intrepid
spirit
warm
:
Next
,
plight
their
guidance
in
his
future
way
To
Wisdom
,
and
in
rapt'rous
view
display
The
blissful
road
(
there
it
invites
your
eyes
)
How
smooth
and
easy
to
the
foot
it
lies
,
Through
beauteous
land
,
from
all
annoyance
clear
,
Of
thorny
evil
and
perplexing
fear
.
The
third
court
,
or
the
virtuous
life
.
Yon
lofty
grove's
delicious
bow'rs
to
gain
,
You
cross
th'
expanse
of
this
enamell'd
plain
;
A
meadow
with
eternal
beauty
bright
,
Beneath
a
purer
heav'n
,
o'erflow'd
with
light
.
Full
in
the
center
of
the
plain
,
behold
A
court
far-flaming
with
its
wall
of
gold
And
gate
of
diamond
,
where
the
righteous
rest
;
This
clime
their
home
,
the
country
of
the
blest
:
Here
all
the
Virtues
dwell
,
communion
sweet
!
With
Happiness
,
who
rules
the
peaceful
seat
.
In
station
at
th'
effulgent
portal
,
see
A
beauteous
form
of
mildest
majesty
.
Her
eyes
how
piercing
!
how
sedate
her
mien
!
Mature
in
life
,
her
countenance
serene
:
Spirit
and
solid
thought
each
feature
shows
,
And
her
plain
robe
with
state
unstudy'd
flows
.
She
stands
upon
a
cube
of
marble
,
fix'd
As
the
firm
rock
,
two
lovely
nymphs
betwixt
,
Her
daughters
,
copies
of
her
looks
and
air
,
Here
candid
Truth
,
and
sweet
Persuasion
there
:
She
,
she
is
Wisdom
.
In
her
stedfast
eye
Behold
th'
oppressive
type
of
certainty
:
Certain
her
way
,
and
permanent
the
deed
Of
gift
substantial
to
her
friends
decreed
.
She
gives
the
confidence
erect
and
clear
,
She
gives
magnanimous
contempt
of
fear
,
And
bids
th'
invulnerable
mind
to
know
Her
safety
from
the
future
shafts
of
woe
.
O
treasure
,
richer
than
the
sea
or
land
!
But
why
without
the
walls
her
destin'd
stand
?
There
standing
,
she
presents
her
potent
bowl
,
Divine
cathartic
,
which
restores
the
soul
.
This
asks
a
comment
.
In
some
dire
disease
,
Machaon's
skill
first
purges
off
the
lees
:
Then
clear
and
strong
the
purple
current
flows
,
And
life
renew'd
in
every
member
glows
:
But
if
the
patient
all
controul
despise
,
Just
victim
of
his
stubborn
will
he
dies
.
So
Wisdom
,
by
her
rules
,
with
healing
art
Expells
Delusion's
mischiefs
from
the
heart
;
Blindness
,
and
error
,
and
high-boasting
pride
,
Intemp'rance
,
lust
,
fierce
wrath's
impetuous
tide
,
Hydropic
avarice
,
all
the
plagues
behind
Which
in
the
first
mad
court
oppress'd
the
mind
.
Thus
purg'd
,
her
pupil
thro'
the
gate
she
brings
,
The
Virtues
hail
their
guest
,
the
guest
enraptur'd
sings
.
Behold
the
spotless
band
,
celestial
charms
!
Scene
that
with
awe
chastises
whom
it
warms
:
No
harlotry
,
no
paint
,
no
gay
excess
,
But
beauty
unaffected
as
their
dress
.
See
Knowledge
grasping
a
refulgent
star
,
See
Fortitude
in
panoply
of
war
:
Justice
her
equal
scale
aloft
displays
,
And
rights
both
human
and
divine
she
weighs
.
There
Moderation
,
all
the
pleasures
bound
In
brazen
chains
her
dreaded
feet
surround
.
There
bounteous
Liberality
expands
To
want
,
to
worth
,
her
ever-loaded
hands
.
The
florid
hue
of
Temperance
,
her
side
Adorn'd
by
Health
,
a
nymph
in
blooming
pride
.
Lo
,
soft-ey'd
Meekness
holds
a
curbing
rein
,
Anger's
high-mettled
spirit
to
restrain
:
While
Moral
Order
tunes
her
golden
lyre
,
And
white-rob'd
Probity
compleats
the
choir
.
O
fairest
of
all
fair
!
O
blissful
state
!
What
hopes
sublime
our
ravish'd
soul
dilate
!
Substantial
hopes
,
if
by
the
doctrine
taught
,
The
fashion'd
manners
are
to
habit
wrought
.
Yes
,
'tis
resolv'd
.
We'll
every
nerve
employ
.
Live
,
then
,
restor'd
;
and
reap
the
promis'd
joy
.
But
whither
do
the
Virtues
lead
their
trust
?
To
Happiness
,
rewarder
of
the
just
.
Look
upward
to
the
hill
beyond
the
grove
,
A
sovereign
pile
extends
its
front
above
:
Stately
and
strong
,
the
lofty
castle
stands
,
Its
boundless
prospect
all
the
courts
commands
.
Within
the
porch
,
high
on
a
jasper
throne
,
Th'
Imperial
Mother
by
her
form
is
known
;
Bright
as
the
morn
,
when
smiling
on
the
hills
Earth
,
air
,
and
sea
with
vernal
joy
she
fills
.
Rich
without
lavish
cost
her
vest
behold
In
colours
of
the
sky
,
and
fring'd
with
gold
:
A
tiar
,
wreath'd
with
every
flow'r
that
blows
Of
liveliest
tints
,
around
her
temples
glows
:
Eternal
bloom
her
snowy
temples
binds
,
Fearless
of
burning
suns
and
blasting
winds
.
Now
,
with
a
crown
of
wond'rous
pow'r
,
her
hand
(
Assistant
,
round
her
,
all
the
Virtues
stand
)
Adorns
her
hero
,
honourable
meed
Of
conquests
won
by
many
a
valiant
deed
.
What
conquests
?
Formidable
beasts
subdu'd
:
Lab'ring
he
fought
,
he
routed
,
he
pursu'd
.
Once
,
a
weak
prey
,
beneath
their
force
he
cowr'd
,
O'erthrown
,
and
worry'd
,
and
well-nigh
devour'd
:
Till
rouz'd
from
his
inglorious
sloth
,
possest
With
generous
ardour
kindling
in
his
breast
,
Lord
of
himself
,
the
victor
now
constrains
Those
hostile
monsters
in
his
pow'rful
chains
.
Explain
those
savage
beasts
at
war
with
man
.
Error
and
Ignorance
,
which
head
the
van
,
Heart-gnawing
Grief
,
and
loud-lamenting
Woe
,
Incontinence
,
a
wild-destroying
foe
,
Rapacious
Avarice
;
cruel
numbers
more
:
O'er
all
he
triumphs
now
,
their
slave
before
.
O
great
atchievements
!
more
illustrious
far
These
triumphs
,
than
the
bloody
wreaths
of
war
.
But
,
say
;
what
salutary
pow'r
is
shed
By
the
fair
crown
,
which
decks
the
hero's
head
?
Most
beatific
.
For
possessing
this
He
lives
,
rich
owner
of
man's
proper
bliss
:
Bliss
independent
or
on
wealth
or
pow'r
,
Fame
,
birth
,
or
beauty
,
or
voluptuous
hour
.
His
hope's
divorc'd
from
all
exterior
things
,
Within
himself
the
fount
of
pleasure
springs
;
Springs
ever
in
the
self-approving
breast
,
And
his
own
honest
heart's
a
constant
feast
.
Where
,
next
,
his
steps
?
He
measures
back
his
way
,
Conducted
by
the
Virtues
,
to
survey
His
first
abode
.
The
giddy
crowd
,
below
,
Wasting
their
wretched
span
in
crime
,
they
show
;
How
in
the
whirl
of
passions
they
are
tost
,
And
,
shipwreck'd
on
the
lurking
shelves
,
are
lost
:
Here
fierce
Ambition
haling
in
her
chain
The
mighty
,
there
a
despicable
train
Impure
in
Lust's
inglorious
setter
bound
,
And
slaves
of
Avarice
rooting
up
the
ground
:
Thralls
of
Vain-glory
,
thralls
of
swelling
Pride
,
Unnumber'd
fools
,
unnumber'd
plagues
beside
.
All-pow'rless
they
to
burst
the
galling
band
,
To
spring
aloft
,
and
reach
yon
happy
land
,
Entangled
,
impotent
the
way
to
find
,
The
clear
instruction
blotted
from
their
mind
Which
the
Good
Genius
gave
;
Guilt's
gloomy
fears
Becloud
their
suns
and
sadden
all
their
years
.
I
stand
convinc'd
,
but
yet
perplex'd
in
thought
Why
to
review
a
well-known
scene
he's
brought
.
Scene
rudely
knowh
.
Uncertain
and
confus'd
,
His
judgment
by
illusions
was
abus'd
.
His
evil
was
not
evil
,
nor
his
good
Aught
else
but
vanity
misundestood
.
Confounding
good
and
evil
,
like
the
throng
,
His
life
,
like
theirs
,
was
action
always
wrong
.
Enlighten'd
now
in
the
true
bliss
of
man
,
He
shapes
his
alter'd
course
by
Wisdom's
plan
:
And
,
blest
himself
,
beholds
with
weeping
eyes
The
madding
world
an
hospital
of
sighs
.
This
retrospection
ended
,
where
succeeds
His
course
?
Where'er
his
wise
volition
leads
.
Where'er
it
leads
,
safety
attends
him
still
:
Not
safer
,
should
he
on
Apollo's
hill
,
Among
the
Nymphs
,
among
the
vocal
Pow'rs
,
Dwell
in
the
Sanctum
of
Corycian
bow'rs
:
Honour'd
by
all
,
the
friend
of
human
kind
,
Belov'd
physician
of
the
sin-sick
mind
;
Not
Esculapius
more
,
whose
pow'r
to
save
Redeems
his
patient
from
the
yawning
grave
.
But
never
more
shall
his
old
restless
foes
Awake
his
fears
,
nor
trouble
his
repose
?
Never
.
In
righteous
habitude
inur'd
,
From
Passion's
baneful
anarchy
secur'd
,
In
each
enticing
scene
,
each
instant
hard
,
That
sovereign
antidote
his
mind
will
guard
:
Like
him
,
who
,
of
some
virtuous
drug
possest
,
Grasps
the
fell
viper
coil'd
within
her
nest
,
Hears
her
dire
hissings
,
sees
her
terrors
rise
,
And
,
unappall'd
,
destruction's
tooth
defies
.
Yon
troops
in
motion
from
the
mount
explain
,
Various
to
view
;
for
there
a
goodly
train
,
With
garlands
crown'd
,
advance
with
comely
pace
,
Noble
their
port
,
and
in
each
tranquil
face
Joy
sparkles
:
others
,
a
bare-headed
throng
,
Batter'd
and
gash'd
,
drag
their
slow
steps
along
,
Captives
of
some
strange
female
crew
.
The
crown'd
,
Long
seeking
,
safe
arriv'd
at
Wisdom's
bound
,
Exult
in
her
imparted
grace
.
Apostates
.
The
rest
,
Those
on
whom
Wisdom
,
unprevailing
,
prest
Her
healing
aid
;
rejected
from
her
care
,
In
evil
plight
their
wicked
days
they
wear
:
Those
too
,
who
Difficulty's
hill
had
gain'd
,
There
basely
stopp'd
,
by
dastard
sloth
detain'd
:
Apostate
now
,
in
thorny
wilds
they
rove
,
Pursuing
furies
scourge
the
caitiff
drove
;
Sorrows
which
gnaw
,
remorseful
Thoughts
which
tear
,
Blindness
of
mind
,
and
heart-oppressing
Fear
,
With
all
the
contumelious
rout
of
Shame
,
And
every
ill
,
and
every
hateful
name
.
Relaps'd
to
Lewdness
,
and
her
sensual
Queen
,
Unblushing
at
themselves
,
but
drunk
with
spleen
,
Wisdom's
high
worth
their
canker'd
tongues
dispraise
,
Revile
her
children
,
and
blaspheme
her
ways
.
Deluded
wretches
,
(
thus
their
madness
cries
)
Dull
mopes
,
weak
dupes
of
philosophic
lies
,
Uncomforted
,
unjoyous
,
and
unblest
,
Lost
from
the
pleasures
here
at
large
possest
.
What
pleasures
boast
they
?
Pleasures
of
the
stews
,
Pleasures
which
Riot's
frantic
bowls
infuse
.
These
high
fruition
their
gross
souls
repute
,
And
man's
chief
good
to
sink
into
a
brute
.
But
who
that
lovely
bevy
,
blithe
and
gay
,
So
smoothly
gliding
down
the
hilly
way
?
The
distinction
between
Opinion
and
Knowledge
.
Those
are
th'
Opinions
,
who
have
guided
right
The
unexperienc'd
to
the
plain
of
light
:
Returning
,
new
adventurers
to
bring
,
The
blessings
of
the
last-arriv'd
they
sing
.
Why
ingress
yielded
to
their
favour'd
ward
Among
the
Virtues
,
to
themselves
debarr'd
?
Opinion's
foot
is
never
never
found
Where
Knowledge
dwells
,
'tis
interdicted
ground
,
At
Wisdom's
gate
th'
Opinions
must
resign
Their
charge
,
those
limits
their
employ
confine
.
Thus
trading
barks
,
skill'd
in
the
wat'ry
road
,
To
distant
climes
convey
their
precious
load
,
Then
turn
their
prow
,
light
bounding
o'er
the
main
,
And
with
new
traffic
store
their
keels
again
.
Thus
far
is
clear
.
But
yet
untold
remains
What
the
Good
Genius
to
the
crowd
ordains
,
Just
on
the
verge
of
life
.
The
instructions
of
the
Genius
.
He
bids
them
hold
A
spirit
with
erected
courage
bold
.
Never
(
he
calls
)
on
Fortune's
faith
rely
,
Nor
grasp
her
dubious
gifts
as
property
.
Let
not
her
smile
transport
,
her
frown
dismay
,
Nor
praise
,
nor
blame
,
nor
wonder
at
her
sway
Which
reason
never
guides
:
'tis
fortune
still
,
Capricious
chance
and
arbitrary
will
,
Bad
bankers
,
vain
of
treasure
not
their
own
,
With
foolish
rapture
hug
the
trusted
loan
:
Impatient
,
when
the
pow'rful
bond
demands
Its
unremember'd
cov'nant
from
their
hands
.
Unlike
to
such
,
without
a
sigh
restore
What
Fortune
lends
:
anon
she'll
lavish
more
:
Repenting
of
her
bounty
snatch
away
,
Yea
seize
your
patrimonial
fund
for
prey
.
Embrace
her
proffer'd
boon
,
but
instant
rise
,
Spring
upward
,
and
secure
a
lasting
prize
,
The
gift
which
Wisdom
to
her
sons
divides
;
Knowledge
,
whose
beam
the
doubting
judgment
guides
,
Scatters
the
sensual
fog
,
and
clear
to
view
Distinguishes
false
int'rest
from
the
true
.
Flee
,
flee
to
this
,
with
unabating
pace
,
Nor
parly
for
a
moment
at
the
place
Where
Pleasure
and
her
Harlots
tempt
,
nor
rest
But
at
False
Wisdom's
inn
,
a
transient
guest
:
For
short
refection
,
at
her
table
sit
,
And
taste
what
science
may
your
palate
hit
:
Then
wing
your
journey
forward
,
till
you
reach
True
Wisdom
,
aed
imbibe
the
truths
she'll
teach
.
Such
is
th'
advice
the
friendly
Genius
gives
,
He
perishes
who
scorns
,
who
follows
lives
.
And
thus
this
moral
piece
instructs
;
if
aught
Is
mystic
still
,
reveal
your
doubting
thought
.
Thanks
,
generous
Sire
;
tell
,
then
,
the
transient
bait
,
The
Genius
grants
us
at
False
Wisdom's
gate
.
Natural
knowledge
,
how
far
useful
,
and
when
unprofitable
and
hurtful
.
Whate'er
in
arts
or
sciences
is
found
Of
solid
use
,
in
their
capacious
round
,
These
,
Plato
reasons
,
like
a
curbing
rein
,
Unruly
youth
from
devious
starts
restrain
.
Must
we
,
solicitous
our
souls
to
save
,
Assistance
from
these
previous
studies
crave
?
Necessity
there's
none
.
We'll
not
deny
Their
merit
in
some
less
utility
;
But
they
contribute
,
we
aver
,
no
part
To
heal
the
manners
and
amend
the
heart
.
An
author's
meaning
,
in
a
tongue
unknown
,
May
glimmer
thro'
translation
in
our
own
:
Yet
masters
of
his
language
,
we
might
gain
Some
trivial
purposes
by
tedious
pain
.
So
in
the
sciences
,
tho'
,
rudely
taught
,
We
may
attain
the
little
that
we
ought
;
Yet
,
accurately
known
they
might
convey
More
light
not
wholly
useless
in
its
way
.
But
Virtue
may
be
reach'd
,
thro'
all
her
rules
,
Without
the
curious
subtleties
of
schools
.
How
!
not
the
learn'd
excel
the
common
shoal
,
In
pow'rful
aids
to
meliorate
the
soul
?
Blind
as
the
crowd
alas
!
to
good
and
ill
,
Intangled
by
the
like
corrupted
will
,
What
boasts
the
man
of
letters
o'er
the
rest
?
Skill'd
in
all
tongues
,
of
all
the
arts
possest
,
What
hinders
but
he
sink
into
a
sot
,
A
libertine
,
or
villain
in
a
plot
,
Miser
,
or
knave
,
or
whatso'er
you'll
name
Of
moral
lunacy
and
reason's
shame
?
Scandals
too
rife
!
How
,
then
,
for
living
right
Avail
those
studies
,
and
their
vaunted
light
Beyond
the
vulgar
?
Nothing
.
But
disclose
The
cause
from
whence
this
strange
appearance
grows
.
Held
by
a
potent
charm
in
this
retreat
They
dwell
,
content
with
nearness
to
the
seat
Of
Virtuous
Wisdom
.
Near
,
methinks
,
in
vain
:
Since
numbers
,
oft
,
from
out
the
nether
plain
,
'
Scap'd
from
the
snares
of
Lewdness
and
Excess
,
Undevious
to
her
lofty
station
press
,
Yet
pass
these
letter'd
clans
.
What
,
then
,
are
these
In
moral
things
,
advantag'd
o'er
the
lees
Of
human
race
?
in
moral
things
,
we
find
These
duller
or
less
tractable
of
mind
.
Decypher
that
.
Pride
,
pride
averts
their
eyes
From
offer'd
light
:
in
self-sufficience
wise
,
Altho'
unknowing
,
they
presume
to
know
:
Clogg'd
with
that
vain
conceit
they
creep
below
,
Nor
can
mount
up
to
yon
exalted
bound
,
True
Wisdom's
mansion
,
by
the
humble
found
.
Not
found
by
these
,
till
the
vain
visions
spread
,
By
False
Opinion
,
in
the
learned
head
,
Repentance
scatter
;
and
deceiv'd
no
more
,
They
own
th'
illusion
which
deceiv'd
before
,
That
for
True
Wisdom
they
embrac'd
her
shade
,
And
hence
the
healing
of
their
souls
delay'd
.
Strangers
,
these
lessons
,
oft
revolving
,
hold
Fast
to
your
hearts
,
and
into
habit
mould
:
To
this
high
scope
life's
whole
attention
bend
,
Despise
aught
else
as
erring
from
your
end
.
Do
thus
,
or
unavailing
is
my
care
,
And
all
th'
instruction
dies
away
in
air
.