PLEASURE, sweet power, to Nature dear! I never wish to be anstere; I seek the happiest state. PLEASURE replies with modest smile, My name the sons of sense 'Tis all a mere pretence. “ To me they boast alliance near ; As men of pleasure, men of cheer, If you will them believe. Meanwhile they are of CIRCE's crew, Wretched, defiled; with painted hue, Weak mortals to deceive. “ Circe, my rival, liarlot base! To phrensy can inflame : Lead on to guilt and shame. “ Mine is a purer, nobler rise ; Virtue, my parent, from the skies Came down to bless the earth With me, the child she bore to LOVE; And here of highest worth! “ VIRTUE, I grant, is often tried By sickness, sorrow, envy, pride; Nor is ashamed to inourn. But trial strengthens ; conscience cheers, Of death and woe prevents the fears ; . Assaults to victory turn. « Of active life the hard turmoils, In brighter triumphs end. While all the good commend. " But who can paint the heartfelt glow Of holy love, of thought the flow Reciprocal, sincere; Faith's firm repose, hope's vision bright, Of God's approving face the light, Of prayer the rapturous tear? “Nor deem such bliss an empty form; 'Tis solid, will defy the storm, And keep the breast serene; When all the merriment of vice, And leaves a void within. “ An aching void where naught can come, Earnest of future woe! True heart they do not know. 66 They dare not face rich Folly’s frown; To saucy Greatness they bow down. Held fast in Passion's chain They talk of liberty : 'tis prate; The slaves of appetite and fate, They start at every pain. “ Lest death their trembling souls should seize, Their blood with mortal horrors freeze, And all their prospects end. An everlasting friend ! “ In life, in death, I follow her; She, she alone, can joys confer, To fill the human heart: From heaven together first we came : And never, never part!” SPRING. AN ODE. BY DR. JOHNSON. Stern Wiliter now, by Spring repress’d, Forbears the long-continued strife ; And Nature, on her naked breast, Delights to catch the gales of life. Now o'er the rural kingdom roves Soft Pleasure with her laughing train, Love waibles in the vocal groves, And Vegetation paints the plain, Unhappy! whom to beds of pain Arthritic tyranny consigns; Though Rapture sings and Beauty shines. Yet though my limbs disease invades, Her wings Imagination tries, Where -'s humble turrets, rise, Here stop, my soul, thy rapid flight, Nor from the pleasing groves depart, Where first great Nature charmed my sight, Where Wisdom first inform’d my heart. Here let me through the vales pursue A guide-a father-and a friend, Once more on Wisdom's voice attend. From false caresses, cauşeless strife, Wild hope, vain fear, alike removed : Here let me learn the use of life, When best enjoy'd-when most improved, Teach me, thou venerable bower, Cool Meditation's quiet seat, The silent grandeur of retreat. When Pride by guilt to greatness climbs, Or raging factions rush to war, Here let me learn to shun, the crimes I can't prevent, and will not share. |