Tir'd with contempt, fhe quits the flipp'ry reign,
And Pride and Prudence take her feat in vain.
In crowd at once, where none the pafs defend,
The harmless Freedom, and the private Friend.
The guardians yield, by force fuperior ply'd;
By Int'reft, Prudence; and by Flatt'ry, Pride.
Now Beauty falls betray'd, defpis'd, diftrefs'd,
And hiffing Infamy proclaims the reft.

Where* then shall Hope and Fear their objects find?
Muft dull Suspense corrupt the stagnant mind?
Must helpless man, in ignorance fedate,
Roll darkling down the torrent of his fate?
Muft no dislike alarm, no wishes rise,
No cries attempt the mercies of the skies?
Inquirer, cease, petitions yet remain,

Which heav'n may hear, nor deem religion vain.
Still raise for good the fupplicating voice,
But leave to heav'n the measure and the choice.
Safe in his pow'r, whofe eyes difcern afar
The fecret ambush of a fpecious pray'r.
Implore his aid, in his decifions rest,
Secure whate'er he gives, he gives the beft.
Yet when the fenfe of facred prefence fires,
And strong devotion to the skies afpires,
Pour fourth thy fervours for a healthful mind,
Obedient paffions, and a will refign'd;

*Ver. 346.

— ვ66.

D 2

For

For love, which scarce collective man can fill;
For patience, fov'reign o'er tranfmuted ill;
For faith, that panting for a happier feat,
Counts death kind Nature's fignal of retreat:
Thefe goods for man the laws of heav'n ordain,
Thefe goods he grants, who grants the pow'r to gain;
With thefe celestial Wisdom calms the mind,

And makes the happiness fhe does not find.

PROLOGU E.

YE

E glitt'ring Train! whom lace and velvet blefs,
Sufpend the foft folicitudes of dress;
From grov'ling business and superfluous care,
Ye fons of Avarice! a moment spare:
Vot'ries of Fame and worshippers of Pow'r!
Difmifs the pleasing phantoms for an hour.
Our daring bard, with spirit unconfin❜d,
Spreads wide the mighty moral of mankind.
Learn here how Heav'n fupports the virtuous mind,
Daring, tho' calm; and vigorous, tho' refign'd.
Learn here what anguish racks the guilty breast,

In pow'r dependent, in fuccefs depreft.
Learn here that Peace from Innocence must flow;
All else is empty found, and idle show.

If truths like these with pleafing language join; Ennobled, yet unchang'd, if Nature shine: If no wild draught depart from Reason's rules, Nor gods his heroes, nor his lovers fools: Intriguing wits! his artless plot forgive; And spare him, beauties; tho' his lovers live.

Be this at least his praife; be this his pride; To force applaufe no modern arts are try’d. Shou'd partial cat-calls all his hopes confound, He bids no trumpet quell the fatal found. Shou'd welcome fleep relieve the weary wit, He rolls no thunders o'er the drowsy pit.