XXVII.
‘Late as I roamed, intent on Nature’s charms,
‘I reached, at eve, this wilderness profound;
‘And, leaning where yon oak expands her arms,
‘Heard these rude cliffs thine awful voice rebound,
‘(For, in thy speech, I recognise the sound.)
‘You mourned for ruined man, and virtue lost,
‘And seemed to feel of keen remorse the wound,
‘Pondering on former days, by guilt engrossed,
‘Or in the giddy storm of dissipation tossed.
‘But say, in courtly life can craft be learned,
‘Where knowledge opens, and exalts the soul?
‘Where Fortune lavishes her gifts unearned,
‘Can selfishness the liberal heart controul?
‘Is glory there achieved by arts, as foul
‘As those which felons, fiends, and furies plan?
‘Spiders ensnare, snakes poison, tygers prowl;
‘Love is the godlike attribute of man.
‘O teach a simple Youth this mystery to scan!
XXIX.
‘Or else the lamentable strain disclaim,
‘And give me back the calm, contented mind;
‘Which, late, exulting, viewed, in Nature’s frame,
‘Goodness untainted, wisdom unconfined,
‘Grace, grandeur, and utility combined.
‘Restore those tranquil days, that saw me still
‘Well pleased with all, but most with humankind;
‘When Fancy roamed through Nature’s works at will,
‘Unchecked by cold distrust, and uninformed of ill.’
‘Wouldst thou (the Sage replied) in peace return
‘To the gay dreams of fond romantic youth,
‘Leave me to hide, in this remote sojourn,
‘From every gentle ear the dreadful truth:
‘For if my desultory strain with ruth
‘And indignation make thine eyes o’erflow,
‘Alas! what comfort could thy anguish sooth,
‘Shouldst thou the extent of human folly know?
‘Be ignorance thy choice, where knowledge leads to woe.
XXXI.
‘But let untender thoughts afar be driven;
‘Nor venture to arraign the dread decree:
‘For know, to man, as candidate for heaven,
‘The voice of The Eternal said, Be free:
‘And this divine prerogative to thee
‘Does virtue, happiness, and heaven convey;
‘For virtue is the child of liberty,
‘And happiness of virtue; nor can they
‘Be free to keep the path, who are not free to stray.