That his own business he might quite forget,
They’ amused him with the sports of wanton wit; 20
With the deserts of poetry they fed him,
Instead of solid meats to’ increase his force;
Instead of vigorous exercise they led him
Into the pleasant labyrinths of ever-fresh discourse:
Instead of carrying him to see 25
The riches which do hoarded for him lie
In Nature’s endless treasury,
They chose his eye to entertain