As well to prove, as to reward the good? Whence are these torrents then, these billowy feas Of vice, in which, as in his proper flood, The fell leviathan licentious plays, And upon fhip-wreck'd faith, and finking virtue preys To you, ye Noble, Opulent and Great! The health and sickness of the common-weal; And Justice drench in vain her vengeful fword in blood, With You must reformation first take place: You are the head, the intellectual mind Of this vaft body politic; whofe base, And vulgar limbs, to drudgery confign'd, All the rich stores of Science have refign'd To You, that by the craftsman's various toil, The fea-worn mariner, and sweating hind, and affluence maintain'd, the while You, for yourselves and them, may drefs the mental foil. In peace ? LXXXI. Be LXXXI. Bethink you then, my children, of the truft But nobly roufe you to the task affign'd, Example is a leffon, that all men can read." But if (to All or Moft I do not fpeak) You chiefly, who like me in fecret mourn The prevalence of CUSTOM lewd and vain ; And you, who, though by the rude torrent borne Unwillingly along you yield with pain & Mould, shape, form. D 2 Το To his behefts, and act what you difdain, The manly zeal; but all your finews move The present to reclaim, the future race improve! Eftfoons by your joint efforts shall be quell'd Who where he cannot dictate strait obeys. Ne for th' atchievement of this great emprize In Learning's various writ: by whom y-led Thro' each well-cultur'd plot, each beauteous grove, Where antique Wisdom whilom wont to tread, With mingled glee and profit may ye rove, [prove. And cull each virtuous plant, each tree of knowledge LXXXVI. Your LXXXVI. Yourselves with virtue thus and knowledge fraught Of what, in ancient days of good or great Historians, bards, philosophers have taught; Join'd with whatever elfe of modern date Maturer judgment, search more accurate Discover'd have of Nature, Man, and God, May by new laws reform the time-worn state Of cell-bred discipline, and smoothe the road That leads thro' Learning's vale to Wifdam's bright abode. LXXXVII. By you invited to her fecret bow'rs, Then fhall PÆDÎA reascend her throne "To Learning's richest treasures to prefer "The knowledge of the world, and man's great business LXXXVIII. On this prime science, as the final end Of all her difcipline, and nurturing care, Her every thought and effort to prepare [there." Her tender pupils for the various war, Which Vice and Folly fhall upon them wage, As on the perilous march of life they fare, With prudent lore fore-arming every age 'Gainft Pleafure's treacherous joys, and Pain's embattled LXXXIX. Then shall my youthful fons, to Wisdom led By fair example and ingenuous praise, Shall purge their minds from all impure allays [rage. And fwell th' ennobled heart with bleft benevolence. XC. Then alfo fhall this emblematic pile, By magic whilom fram'd to fympathize With all the fortunes of this changeful ifle, Still, as my fons in fame and virtue rise, Grow with their growth, and to th' applauding skies Of worthies fhall fucceed, with equal pace Aye following their fires in virtue's glorious race. XCI. Fir'd |