While equal good an am'rous couple find, She makes him conftant, and he makes her kind. 35 Both heav'n and earth would our defires confine;' For love the mifer will his gold despise, And if their heads but any substance hold, ૩૦ 40 43 In Heav'n's great work thy part is fuch, And finishest what Nature but began: And grow but greater children ev'ry day: So, Reason, how can we be faid to rife? From fenfe to reafon unimprov'd we move; 50 55 } 60 We only then advance when reason turns to love. Thou reigneft o'er our earthly gods; Uncrowh'd by thee their other crowns are loads; One beauty's fmile their meanest courtier brings 65 Rather to pity than to envy kings; His fellow flaves he takes them now to be, Favour'd by love perhaps much less than he. Of nothing but denying is afraid; For love fhe overcomes her shame, Forfakes her fortune, and forgets her fame; Thanks Heav'n for that, and never minds the rest. V. Love is the falt of life; a higher taste It gives to pleasure, and then makes it last. 70 79 Those flighted favours which cold nymphs difpense, Mere common counters of the sense, Defective both in metal and in measure, A lover's fancy coins into a treasure. How vast the subject! what a boundless store 80 Of bright ideas fhining all before! The Mufe's fighs forbid me to give o'er; But the kind god incites us various ways, 86 ODE ON BRUTUS. I. 'Tis faid that favourite mankind Was made the lord of all below; But yet the doubtful are concern'd to find But how abfurdly we may fee with shame : Or the leaft prejudice can weigh it down; ΤΟ IS How weak at best is Reason! yet the grave Impofe on that fmall judgment which we have. II. In all those wits whofe names have spread fo wide, Some failings yet may be descry'd. That Brutus is admir'd for Cæfar's death, 20 By which he yet furvives in Fame's immortal breath. Brutus! ev'n he, of all the rest, In whom we should that deed the most deteft, 25 Is of mankind esteem'd the best. As fnow, defcending from fome lofty hill, Is by its rolling course augmenting still, So from illuftrious authors down have roll'd 30 And gild their cloquence with praife of him, In vain 't is urg'd by an illuftrious wit, (To whom in all befides I willingly fubmit) That Cæfar's life no pity could deferve From one who kill'd himself rather than ferve. Than any mafter to obey, 35 40 Happy for Rome had been that noble pride; [dy'd. The world hadthen remain'd in peace, and only Brutus For he whose foul difdains to own And his own life would rather end, 45 Would fure much rather kill himself than only hurt To his own fword in the Philippian field [his friend. Brutus indeed at last did yield; But in those times felf-killing was not rare, And his proceeded only from defpair: He might have chofen elfe to live, In hopes another Cæfar would forgive; Then, for the good of Rome, he could once more Conspire against a life which had spar'd his before. IV. Our country challenges our utmost care, And in our thoughts deferves the tenderest share; Yet not betray them tho' it be for her. A mistress or a friend to love Above whate'er he does befides enjoy, 50 55 60 But may he, for their fakes, his fire or fons destroy? For facred juftice, or for public good, Scorn'd be our wealth, our honour, and our blood: Ev'n low disgrace would be a glorious fate; K 65 |