But small the bliss that sense alone bestows,
And sensual bliss is all the nation knows;

In florid beauty groves and fields appear-
Man seems the only growth that dwindles here!
Contrasted faults through all his manners reign:
Though poor, luxurious; though submissive, vain;
Though grave, yet trifling; zealous, yet untrue-
And even in penance planning sins anew.

All evils here contaminate the mind,

That opulence departed leaves behind;

For wealth was theirs-nor far removed the date
When commerce proudly flourish'd through the state.
At her command the palace learn'd to rise,
Again the long-fallen column sought the skies,
The convass glow'd beyond even nature warm,
The pregnant quarry teem'd with human form;
Till, more unsteady than the southern gale,

Commerce on other shores display'd her sail,
While nought remain'd, of all that riches gave,
But towns unmann'd and lords without a slave-

And late the nation found, with fruitless skill,

Its former strength was but plethoric ill.