And now my eyes with transport rove Unbroken by a cloud! And now beneath delighted pass, Where, winding through the deep-green grass, A full brimm'd river flow'd. I stop, I gaze; in accents rude, Burst forth th' unbidden lay; "Begone, vile world, the learn'd, the wise, The great, the busy I despise, And pity e'en the gay. "These, these are joys alone, I cry; 'Tis here, divine Philosophy, Thou deign'st to fix thy throne! "Adieu, ye vain low-thoughted cares, A stoic stillness reigns. The tyrant passions all subside; Fear, anger, pity, shame, and pride, Of universal love. When lo! a voice, a voice I hear! 'Twas Reason whisper'd in my ear These monitory strains : "What mean'st thou, man? would'st thou unbind The ties which constitute thy kind, The pleasures and the pains? "The same Almighty Power unseen, Fix'd every movement of the soul, "He-bids the tyrant passions rage, And happiness from woe. "Art thou not man, and dar'st thou find A bliss which leans not to mankind? Presumptuous thought and vain! Each bliss unshar'd is unenjoy'd, Each power is weak unless employ'd Some social good to gain. "Shall light and shade, and warmth and air, With those exalted joys compare, Which active Virtue feels! "As rest and labour still succeeds Are merely life's refreshing springs, "Enthusiast, go, unstring thy lyre, Enthusiast, go, try every sense, Thou yet hast learn'd to scan; At least thy wants, thy weakness know, And see them all uniting show, That man was made for man." ODE V. THE MAN OF SORROW. BY MR. GREVILLE. АH! what avails the lengthening mead, By Nature's kindest bounty spread Along the vale of flowers! Ah! what avails the darkening grove, Or Philomel's melodious love, That glads the midnight hours! For me (alas!) the god of day I have no pleasure in the rose: See how the sturdy peasants stride, By gay Contentment drest. |