The boisterous ocean, from on shore to view

The toiling mariner; not that the pain

Of others gives us pleasure, but for that

To see what ills we ’scape ourselves is sweet:

And it is sweet, when armies on the plain

Array’d for battle join in mortal strife,

To stand aloof from danger and look on:

But nothing sweeter is, than all serene

In the strong towers of wisdom high to dwell,

And thence look down upon the wandering race