Watts - BX5200 .W3 1813 v.9

a 268 URIC lyOEyIS.' This is the man whom storms could never make [gale Meanly complain ; nor can a flatt'ring Blake him talk proudly; he hathno de- sire To read his secretfate; yet nnconcern'd And calm could meetliisupborn destiny, In alias charming,or itsfrightful shapes. He that nnshrinking, and without a groan, Bears the first wound, may finish all the war With mere courageous silence, and come off Conqueror : for the man that well con- ceals The heavy strokes of fate, he bears 'em well. He, tho' th' Atlantic and the Midland seas With adverse surges meet, and rise on hi h [amain Suspended 'twixtthe winds, then rush Mingled with flames, upon, his single head; (he stands, And clouds, and stars, and thunder, firm Secure of his best life; unhurt, un- mov'd; [death. And drops his lower nature, born for Then from the lofty castle of bis mind Sublime looks down, exulting, and sur- veys The ruins of -creation; (Soils alone Are heirs of dying worlds ;) a piercing glance Shoots upwards from between his closing lids, To reach his birth-place, and without a sigh He bids hisbatter'd flesh Iie gently down Amongst its native rubbish; whilst the spirit [guest Breathes and flies upward, an undoubted Of thethird heav'n, th' unruinable sky. To the mach honoured Mr. THOMAS ROWE, the Director of my youth- ful Studies. Free Philosophy. i CUSTOM, that tyranness of fools, That leads the learned round the schools, Inmagic chains of forms and rules! My genius storms her throne:, Nomore,ye slaves, with awe profound, Beat the dull track, nor dance the round; [ground: Loose hands, and quit th' enchanted Knowledge invites us each alone_. 2 I hate these shackles of the mind Forg'd by the lnughty wise Souls were not born to be confin'd, And led, like Sampson, blind amt.. bound - But when his native strength he found He well averg'd his eyes. I love thy gentle influence, Rowe, Thy gentle influence, like the sua,. Only dissolves the frozen snow, Then bids our thoughts like rivera flow, [run. And choose the channels where they 3 Thoughts should be free as five or wind;, The pinions of a single mind Will tiro' all nature fly s But who can shag up to the poles Long fetter'd ranks of leaden souls. A genius whichno chain controls Roves with delight, or deep, or high, Swift I sutvey the globe around, Dive to the centre thro' the sold ground, Or travel o'er the sky. To the Rev. Mr. BENONI ROWE. The Way of the Multitude, i ROWE, if we make the crowd our guide Thro' life's uné'ertain road, Meait is the chase; and wand'ring wide We miss th' immortal-good; Yet if my thoughts could beennfin'd To follow any leader -mind, [same: I'd mark thy steps, and tread the Drest in thy notions I'd appear Not like a soul of mortal frame, - Nor with a vulgar air. 2 Men live at random and by chance, Bright reason' never lead sthe dance Whilst in the broad and beaten way O'er dales and-hills fromtruthwe stray, To ruinwgdescend, to ruin we advance. Wisdom retires; she hates the crowd, And with adecent scorn Aloof she climbs her steepy seat, Where not the grave and giddy feet, Of the learn'd vulgar or the rude, Iieve e'er a passage worn. 3 Mere hazard first beganthe track, Where customleadsherthousandsb ind. In willing chains and strong; There'sssarcoonebold,oneiroblemihd, Thither when fate has brought our willing souls, No matter whether 'tins a sharp disease, Or a sharp sword, thathelp'd the travel- lers on, And push'd us to our home. Bear up, my friend, Serenely, and break thro' the stormy brine [arrive With steady prow; know,. we shall once At the fair haven of eternal bliss, To which we ever steer; whether as kings Of wide command we've spread the spa - doss sea With a broad painted fleet, or row'd along In a thin cock -boat with a little oar. Therelet my native plank shift meto land And I'll be happy : Thus I'll leap ashore Joyful and fearless on the immortal coast, [be lost. Claee all I lave is mortal, and it mutt

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