Like the first foe, he sought th’ abode of Joy

Grieved to behold, but eager to destroy;

Round blooming beauty, like the wasp, he flew,

Soil’d the fresh sweet, and changed the rosy hue;

The wise, the good, with anxious heart he saw,

And here a failing found, and there a flaw;

Discord in families ’twas his to move,

Distrust in friendship, jealousy in love;

He told the poor, what joys the great possess’d;

The great, what calm content the cottage bless’d: