"Tis here the folly of the wise, Through all his art, we view; And while his tongue the charge denies, Bound on a voyage of awful length, But oars alone can ne'er prevail The breath of heav'n must swell the sail, Or all the toil is lost.. COWPER. SECTION XII. Ode to Peace. COME, peace of mind, delightful guest! Where wilt thou, dwell, if not with me, And pleasure's fatal wiles; The great, the gay, shall they partake For thee I panted, thee I priz'd, And helpless, hopeless, hear thee say-- COWPER "Tis here the folly of the wise, Through all his art, we view; And while his tongue the charge denies, Bound on a voyage of awful length, But oars alone can ne'er prevail The breath of heav'n must swell the sail, Or all the toil is lost.. COWPER. SECTION XII. Ode to Peace. COME, peace of mind, delightful guest! Once more in this sad heart: Nor hold forbidden joys in view; Where wilt thou dwell, if not with me For whom, alas! dost thou prepare The great, the gay, shall they partake e I panted, thee I priz'd, lov'd before; hee start away, less, hear thee say- COWPER SECTION XIH. Ode to Adversity. DAUGHTER of Heav'n, relentless power, Thou tamer of the human breast, Whose iron scourge, and tort'ring hour,. The bad affright, afflict the best! Bound in thy adamantine chain, The proud are taught to taste of pain, And purple tyrants vainly groan. With pangs unfelt before, unpitied and alone.. When first thy Sire to send on earth Virtue, dis darling child, design'd, To thee he gave the heav'nly birth, And bade to form her infant mind. Stern rugged nurse! thy rigid lore With patience many a year she bore; What sorrow was, thou bad'st her know; And from her own she learn'd to melt at other's WO.. Scar'd at thy frown terrific, fly Self pleasing folly's idle brood, Wild laughter, noise, and thoughtless joy, And leave us leisure to be good. Light they disperse; and with them go By vain prosperity receiv'd, To her they vow their truth, and are again believ'd. Wisdom, in sable garb array'd, Immers'd in rapt'rous thought profound, With leaden eye, that loves the ground, With justice, to herself severe, And pity, dropping soft the sadly pleasing tear. Oh, gently on thy suppliant's head; Dread pow'r, lay thy chast'ning hand! Not in thy gorgon terrors clad, Nor circled with the vengeful band, (As by the impions thou art seen,) With thund'ring voice, and threat'ning mien, With screaming horror's funeral cry, Despair, and fell disease, and ghastly poverty.' Thy form benign, propitious, wear, What others are to feel; and know myself a man. SECTION XIV. GRAY. The Creation required to praise its Author. BEGIN, my soul, th' exalted lay! Let each enraptur'd thought obey, And praise th' Almighty's name : Lo! heaven and earth, and seas and skies, To swell th' inspiring theme. Ye fields of light, celestial plains, Ye angels, catch the thrilling sound! Let ev'ry list'ning saint above And touch the sweetest string. Join, ye loud spheres, the vocal choir; |