Can she not tell us, as she looks around,
Of good and evil, which the most abound?
Alas! and what is earthly good? ’tis lent
Evil to hide, to soften, to prevent,
By scenes and shows that cheat the wandering eye,
While the more pompous misery passes by— 20
Shifts and amusements that awhile succeed;
And heads are turn’d, that bosoms may not bleed.
For what is Pleasure, that we toil to gain?
’Tis but the slow or rapid flight of Pain.