To gain dominion, or to keep it gain'd. Witness those ancient empires of the earth, In height of all their flowing wealth dissolv'd: But men endu'd with thefe, have oft attain'd In lowest poverty to highest deeds;
GIDEON and JEPHTHA, and the shepherd lad, Whofe off-spring on the throne of JUDAH fat 440 So many ages, and shall yet regain
That feat, and reign in ISRAEL without end. Among the heathen, (for throughout the world To me is not unknown what hath been done Worthy memorial) canft thou not remember 445 QUINTUS, FABRICIUS, CURIUS, REGULUS? For I efteem thofe names of men fo poor, Who could do mighty things, and could contemn Riches, though offer'd from the hand of kings. And what in me seems wanting, but that I May alfo in this poverty as foon Accomplish what they did, perhaps and more? Extol not riches then, the toyl of fools,
The wife man's cumbrance, if not fnare, more apt
To flacken virtue, and abate her edge,
Than prompt her to do aught may merit praise.
What if with like aversion I reject
Riches and realms; yet not for that a crown, Golden in fhew, is but a wreath of thorns, Brings dangers, troubles, cares, and fleepless nights To him who wears the regal diadem,
When on his shoulders each man's burden lies; For therein stands the office of a king,
His honour, virtue, merit, and chief praise, That for the publick all this weight he bears. 465 Yet he who reigns within himself, and rules Paffions, defires, and fears, is more a king;
Which ev'ry wife and virtuous man attains: And who attains not, ill afpires to rule Cities of men, or head-strong multitudes; Subject himself to anarchy within,
Or lawless paffions in him which he serves. But to guide nations in the way of truth By faving doctrine, and from error lead To know, and knowing worship GoD aright, 475 Is yet more kingly; this attracts the foul, Governs the inner man, the nobler part; That other o'er the body only reigns, And oft by force, which to a gen'rous mind
So reigning can be no fincere delight. Besides, to give a kingdom hath been thought Greater and nobler done, and to lay down Far more magnanimous, than to affume. Riches are needless then, both for themselves, And for thy reason why they should be fought, To gain a scepter, oftest better mifs'd.
The end of the fecond book.
the Son of GOD; and SATAN flood
A-while as mute, confounded what to say,
What to reply, confuted and convinc'd
Of his weak arguing, and fallacious drift: At length collecting all his Serpent wiles, With foothing words renew'd, him thus accosts.
I fee thou know'ft what is of use to know, What best to say canst say, to do canst do ; Thy actions to thy words accord, thy words To thy large heart give utterance due; thy heart 10 Contains of good, wife, juft, the perfect shape.
Should kings and nations from thy mouth confult, Thy counfel would be as the oracle URIM and THUMMIM, thofe oraculous gems On. AARON's breast, or tongue of feers old Infallible; or wert thou fought to deeds That might require th' array of war, thy skill Of conduct would be fuch, that all the world Could not sustain thy prowefs, or subsist In battel, though against thy few in arms. These god-like virtues wherefore doft thou hide, Affecting private life, or more obfcure In favage wilderness? wherefore deprive All earth her wonder at thy acts, thy felf The fame and glory? glory, the reward That fole excites to high attempts, the flame Of most erected fpirits, most temper'd pure Etherial, who all pleasures elfe despise, All treasures and all gain esteem as drofs, And dignities and pow'rs, all but the higheft. 30 Thy years are ripe, and over-ripe; the fon Of MACEDONIAN PHILIP had ere these Won Asia, and the throne of CYRUS held At his dispose; young SCIPIO had brought down
« السابقةمتابعة » |