Where, next, his steps? He measures back his way, 435 Conducted by the Virtues, to furvey His first abode. The giddy crowd, below, 445 The clear inftruction blotted from their mind 450 Which the Good Genius gave; Guilt's gloomy fears Becloud their funs and sadden all their years. I ftand convinc'd, but yet perplex'd in thought Why to review a well-known fcene he's brought. Scene rudely known. Uncertain and confus'd, His judgment by illufions was abus'd. 455. His evil was not evil, nor his good This retrofpection ended, where fucceeds His courfe? Where'er his wife volition leads. Where'er it leads, fafety attends him ftill: Among the Nymphs, among the vocal Pow'rs, Awake his fears, nor trouble his repofe? 460 465 470 475 Never. In righteous habitude inur'd, In 1 In each enticing fcene, each inftant hard, 480 Like him, who, of fome virtuous drug poffeft, Grafps the fell viper coil'd within her nest, Yon troops in motion from the mount explain, 485 Various to view; for there a goodly train, With garlands crown'd, advance with comely pace, Joy Sparkles: others, a bare-headed throng, Batter'd and gaf'd, drag their flow steps along, 490 Captives of fome ftrange female crew. The crown'd, Long feeking, fafe arriv'd at Wisdom's bound, 495 Those too, who Difficulty's hill had gain'd, There bafely stopp'd, by daftard floth detain'd: Apoftate now, in thorny wilds they rove, Pursuing furies fcourge the caitiff drove ; 500 h Apoftates. Sorrows Sorrows which gnaw, remorseful Thoughts which tear, With all the contumelious rout of Shame, 505 Relaps'd to Lewdness, and her fenfual Queen, Dull mopes, weak dupes of philofophic lies, 510 Pleasures of the ftews, Pleasures which Riot's frantic bowls infufe. The bleffings of the last arriv'd they fing. 515 520 i The distinction between Opinion and Knowledge. Why ingrefs yielded to their favour'd ward Where Knowledge dwells, 'tis interdicted ground, To diftant climes convey their precious load, 525 530 Then turn their prow, light bounding o'er the main, And with new traffic ftore their keels again. Thus far is clear. But yet untold remains * He bids them hold A spirit with erected courage bold. Never (he calls) on Fortune's faith rely, Nor grasp her dubious gifts as property. Let not her smile transport, her frown difmay, 535 Nor praise, nor blame, nor wonder at her fway 540 Bad bankers, vain of treasure not their own, * The inftructions of the Genius. Impatient, |