What pain to quit the world, just made their own, What are they? smiling wretches of to-morrow! Is this a sketch of what thy soul admires ?- 215 220 225 230 235 The boy has virtue by his mother's side: Yes, on Florello look: a father's heart Is tender, though the man's is made of stone; 240 The truth, through such a medium seen, may make Impression deep, and fondness prove thy frier.d. Florello! lately cast on this rude coast 245 A helpless infant, now a heedless child. 1o poor Clarissa's throes thy care succeeds; Care full of love, and yet severe as hate! O'er thy soul's joy how oft thy fondness frowns' 250 As thorus fence in the tender plant from harm. As yet, his Reason cannot go alone, But asks a sterner nurse to lead it on. His little heart is often terrified; The blush of morning, in his cheek, turns pale, 255 260 265 270 275 For who receives him into public life? (Which glitter'd long, at distance, in his sight,) And in their hospitable arms enclose; 280 Men who think nought so strong as the romance, So rank knight-errant, as a real friend; Men that act up to Reason's golden ¡ule, Men that would blush at being thought sincere, 285 Lorenzo! canst thou bear a shocking sight? Such, for Florello's sake, 'twill now appear. See the steel'd files of season'd veterans, peace, Train'd to the world, in burnish'd falsehood bright; His foes implacable-when worth their while'; 290 295 At war with every welfare but their own; As wise as Lucifer, and half as good; And by whom none, but Lucifer, can gain— 300 Naked through these, (so common Fate ordains) Naked of heart, his cruel course he runs, Stung out of all most amiable in life, Prompt truth, and open thought, and smiles unfeign'd; Affection, as his species wide diffused, 305 Noble presumptions to mankind's renown, Ingenious trust, and confidence of love. These claims to joy (if mortals joy might claim) Will cost him many a sigh, till time and pains, From the slow mistress of this school, Experience, 310 Purchase a dear-bought clew to lead his youth And the dark labyrinth of human hearts. And happy! if the clew shall come so cheap. 315 For while we learn to fence with public guilt, Full oft we feel its foul contagion too, 320 325 Where brighter Reason prompts to bolder crimes, And heavenly talents make infernal hearts, Poor Machiavel! who labour'd hard his plan, His plan had practised long before 'twas writ. A man I knew, who lived upon a smile, And well it fed him; he lock'd plump and fair, 330 335 While rankest venom foam'd through every vein. 340 And, dying, cursed the friend on whom he lived. 345 350 Stoop to mean wiles that would disgrace a fool; Why so much cover? it defeats itself. Ye that know all things! know ye not men's hearts Are therefore known, because they are conceal'd? For why conceal'd?-the cause they need not tell. 360 I give him joy that's awkward at a lie ; Whose feeble nature Truth keeps still in awe; 'T'is great, 'tis manly, to disdain disguise. It shows our spirit, or it proves our strength. 365 370 Is dirty-yet allow that dirt its due, It makes the noble mind more noble still. 375 The world 's no neuter; it will wound or save; Our virtue quench, or indignation fire. You say the world, well known, will make a man.— The world, well known, will give our hearts to Heaven, Or make us demons, long before we die. 380 To show how fair the world, thy mistress, shines, Take either part; sure ills attend the choice; Virtue has her relapses, conflicts, foes; 385 Foes that ne'er fail to make her feel their hate. True friends to virtue, last and least complain; But if they sigh, can others hope to smile? If Wisdom has her miseries to mourn, 390 How can poor Folly lead a happy life ? And if both suffer, what has earth to boast, Where he most happy who the least laments? Where much, much patience, the most envied state, And some forgiveness, needs, the best of friends? 395 For friend or happy life, who looks not higher, Of neither shall he find the shadow here. The world's sworn advocate, without a fee, Thus far thy song is right, and all inust own 400 |