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Courage to look bold Danger in the face;
No fear, but only to be proud or base;
Quick to advise, by an emergence prest,
To give good counsel, or to take the best:
I'd have th'expression of her thoughts be such,
She might not seem reserv'd, nor talk too much;
That shews a want of judgment and of sense;
More than enough is but impertinence:
Her conduct regular, her mirth refin'd,
Civil to strangers, to her neighbours kind;
Averse to vanity, revenge, and pride,
In all the methods of deceit untry'd ;
So faithful to her friend, and good to all,
No censure might upon her actions fall:
Then would ev'n Envy be compell'd to say—
She goes the least of woman-kind astray.

To this fair creature I'd sometimes retire,
Her conversation would new joys inspire,
Give life an edge so keen, no surly care
Would venture to assault my soul, or dare
Near my retreat, to hide one secret snare.
But so divine, so noble, a repast
I'd seldom, and with moderation taste;
For highest cordials all their virtue lose
By a too frequent and too bold a use;
And what would cheer the spirits in distress
Ruins our health when taken to excess.

I'd be concern'd in no litigious jar;
Belov'd by all, not vainly popular.

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Whate'er assistance I had pow'r to bring,
T'oblige my country, or to serve my king,
Whene'er they call'd, I'd readily afford

My tongue, my pen, my counsel,

or my sword.
Law-suits I'd shun with as much studious care 146
As I would dens were hungry lions are,
And rather put up injuries than be

A plague to him who'd be a plague to me.
I value quiet at a price too great
To give for my revenge so dear a rate;
For what do we by all our bustle gain
But counterfeit delight for real pain;

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If Heav'n a date of many years would give, Thus I'd in pleasure, ease, and plenty, live; And as I near approach'd the verge of life, Some kind relation (for I'd have no wife) Should take upon him all my worldly care, Whilst I did for a better state prepare: Then I'd not be with any trouble vex'd, Nor have the ev'ning of my days perplex'd, But, by a silent and a peaceful death, Without a sigh resign my aged breath: And when committed to the dust, I'd have Few tears, but friendly, dropp'd into my grave : Then would my exit so propitious be,

All men would wish to live and die like me.→ 167

THO'gloomy thoughts disturb'd my anxious breast
All the long night, and drove away my rest,
Just as the dawning day began to rise
A grateful slumber clos'd my waking eyes;
But active fancy to strange regions flew,
And brought surprising objects to my view."

Methought I walk'd in a delightful grove,"
The soft retreat of gods, when gods make love;
Each beauteous object my charm'd soul amaz’d,
And I on each with equal wonder gaz'd,
Nor knew which most delighted; all was fine,
The noble product of some Pow'r divine :
But as I travers'd the obliging shade,
Which myrtle, jessamine, and roses, made,
I saw a person whose celestial face

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At first declar'd her goddess of the place; But I discover'd, when approaching near, An aspect full of beauty, but severe : Bold and majestic, ev'ry awful look Into my soul a secret horror struck : Advancing farther on she made a stand, And beckon'd me; I kneeling, kiss'd her hand; Then thus began" Bright Deity! (for so "You are, no mortals such perfections know) "I may intrude; but how I was convey'd "To this strange place, or by what pow'rful aid,

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"I'm wholly ignorant; nor know I more, "Or where I am, or whom I do adore : "Instruct me, then, that I no longer may "In darkness serve the goddess I obey."

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"Youth!" she reply'd, "this place belongs to one "By whom you'll be, and thousands are, undone. "These pleasant walks, and all these shady bow'rs, "Are in the government of dang'rous pow'rs. "Love's the capricious master of this coast, "This fatal labyrinth, where fools are lost. "I dwell not here amidst these gaudy things, "Whose short enjoyment no true pleasure brings, "But have an empire of a nobler kind; "My regal seat's in the celestial mind, "Where, with a godlike and a peaceful hand, “I rule, and make those happy I command "For while I govern all within's at rest ; "No stormy passion revels in my breast: "But when my pow'r is despicable grown, "And rebel appetites usurp the throne, "The soul no longer quiet thoughts enjoys, "But all is tumult and eternal noise. "Know, Youth! I'm Reason, which you've oft' de"I am that Reason which you never priz'd; "And tho' my argument successless prove,

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[spis'd;

(For reason seems impertinence in love) "Yet I'll not see my charge (for all mankind "Are to my guardianship by Heav'n assign'd) "Into the grasp of any ruin run

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"That I can warn 'em of, and they may shun.

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"Fly, youth! these guilty shades; retreat in time, "Ere your mistake's converted to a crime; "For ignorance no longer can atone

"When once the error and the fault is known. 60 "You thought, perhaps, as giddy youth inclines, "Imprudently, to value all that shines, "In these retirements freely to posses" "True joy, and strong substantial happiness : "But here gay Folly keeps her court, and here, 65 "In crowds, her tributary fops appear, "Who, blindly lavish of their golden days, "Consume them all in her fallacious ways. "Pert Love with her, by joint commission, rules "In this capacious realm of idle fools, "Who, by false arts and popular deceits,

"The careless, fond, unthinking mortal cheats. "'Tis easy to descend into the snare,

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"By the pernicious conduct of the fair; "But safely to return from this abode "Requires the wit, the prudence, of a god; "Tho' you, who have not tasted that delight, "Which only at a distance charms your sight, "May, with a little toil, retrieve your heart, "Which lost, is subject to eternal smart. "Bright Delia's beauty, I must needs confess, "Is truly great, nor would I make it less; "That where to wrong her where she merits most; "But dragons guard the fruit, and rocks the coast; "And who would run, that's moderately wise, 85 "A certain danger for a doubtful prize?