For grim religion some, and some for pride, 115

Have lost their reason: some for fear of want

Want all their lives; and others every day

For fear of dying suffer worse than death.

Ah! from your bosoms banish, if you can,

Those fatal guests: and first the Demon Fear; 120

That trembles at impossible events,

Lest aged Atlas should resign his load

And heaven’s eternal battlements rush down.

Is there an evil worse than fear itself?