261 LYRIC POEMS. 2 He spreads the balance wide to hold His manors and`his farms, 'And cheats the beam with loads of gold He hugs between his arms. So might the plough-boy climb a tree, When Crcesus mounts his throne, And both stand up, and smile to see How long their shadow's grown. Alas ! how vain their fancies be To think that shape their own ! 3 Thus mingled still withwealthand state Crcesus himselfcan never know; His true dimensions and his weight Are far inferior to their show. Were I no tall to reach the pole, Or grasp the ocean with my span, I must be measur'd by my soul The mind's the standard of the man. To SARISSA. An Epistle. BEARup,Sarissa,thro' the ruffling stones Of a vain vexing world: Tread down the Cares Those ragged thorns that lie across the road, Nor spend a tear upon them. Trust the muse, She sings experienc'd truth: This briny dew, The rain of eyes, will make the briers grow We travel thro' a dosart, and our feet Have measur'd a fair space, have left be- hind Athousand dangers,and a thousand snares Well scap'd. Adieu, ye horrors of the dark, Ye finish'd labours, and ye tedious toils Of days and hours : The twinge of real smart, And the false terrors of ill-boding dreams Vanish together, be alike forgot, . For ever blended in one common grave. Farewei, ye waxing and ye waning moons, That we have watch'd behind the flying clouds [ing On night's dark hill, or setting or ascend - Or in meridian height , Then silence reign'd O'er half the world ; then ye beheld our tears, Ye witness'd our complaints, ourkindred groans (Sad harmony !) while with your beauty horns, Or richer orb, ye silver'd o'er the green Where trod our feet, and lent a feeble light To mourners. Now ye have fulfil'd your round, Those hours are fled,. farewel. Months that are gone, Are gone for even and haveborne away Bach Jus own load. Our woes and sor- e ewspast, tin io,ironswo.c shill lasses as they fly Far off. So billows in a stormy see, Wave after wave( a long succession) roll -[safe Beyond the ken of sight : The sailors Lookfar a-stern till they have lost the storm, And shout their boisterous joys. A gentler muse [thy cares Sings thy dear safety, and commands' To dark oblivion ; bury'd deep in night Lose them, Sarissa, and assist my song. Awake thy voice, sing how the sleg-. der line Of fate's immortal now dividesthe past From all thefuture, with eternal bars Forbidding a return. The pasttempta- tiens [feel No more shall vex us every grief we Shortens the destin'd number; every pulse Beats asharpmoment ofthe painaway,' And the last stroke will come. By swift degrees [arrive Time sweeps us off, and we shall soon At life's sweetperiod : O celestial point That ends bis mortal story But if a glimpse of light, with flat - Cring ray Breaks thro' the close of life, or wan - d'ring fire [feet, Amidstthe shades invite your doubtful Beware the dancingmeteor ; faithless guide, [astray That leads the lonesome pilgrim wide To bogs, and fens, and pits, and cer- tain death ! [form Should vicious pleasure take an angel - And at a distance rise, by slow degrees, Treacherous to wind herself into your heart, Stand firm aloof; nor let the gaudy phantom Too long allure your gaze : The just delight That beav'n indulgeslawfnl,mustobey Superior powers ; nor tempt your thoughts too far In slaveryto sense, nor swell yonr hope To dang'rous size : If approach your feet And court your hand, forbid th' in- truding joy To sit too near your heart : Still may our sduls Claim kindred with the skies, nor mix with dust ,[globe Our better -born affections ; leave the A nest for worms, and hasten to our home. O there are gardens of th' immortal kind [bills That crown the heav'nly Eden's rising. With beauty and with sweets ; no Lurking mischief Dwells in the fruit, nor serpent twines the boughs The branches bend laden with life and bliss - [ascent i Ripe for the taste, but 'Lis a steep
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