110 In ev'ry place is sought, but sought in vain : With such a prize no mortal must be blessed, So heav'n decrees! with heav'n who can contest? Some thought it mounted to the lunar sphere, Since all things lost on earth are treasured there. 115 There heroes' wits are kept in pond'rous vases, And beaus' in snuff-boxes and tweezer-cases. There broken vows, and death-bed alms are found, And lovers' hearts with ends of ribbon bound, The courtier's promises, and sick man's pray'rs, 120 The smiles of harlots, and the tears of heirs, Cages for gnats, and chains to yoke a flea, Dried butterflies, and tomes of casuistry. But trust the muse she saw it upward rise, Though marked by none but quick, poetic eyes: 125 (So Rome's great founder to the heav'ns withdrew, To Proculus alone confessed in view) A sudden star, it shot through liquid air, And pleased pursue its progress through the skies. 135 This the bless'd lover shall for Venus take, And send up vows from Rosamonda's lake; When next he looks through Galileo's eyes; And hence th' egregious wizard shall foredoom The fate of Louis, and the fall of Rome. When cease, bright nymph! to mourn thy ravished hair, Which adds new glory to the shining sphere! Not all the tresses that fair head can boast, Shall draw such envy as the lock you lost. 140 145 When, after millions slain, yourself shall die; And 'midst the stars inscribe Belinda's name. 150 ELEGY TO THE MEMORY OF AN UNFORTUNATE LADY WHAT beck'ning ghost, along the moonlight shade 5 10 For those who greatly think, or bravely die? Why bade ye else, ye pow'rs! her soul aspire Dim lights of life, that burn a length of years And sep'rate from their kindred dregs below; But thou, false guardian of a charge too good, 35 Thus, if eternal justice rules the ball, Thus shall your wives, and thus your children fall: On all the line a sudden vengeance waits, And frequent hearses shall besiege your gates; There passengers shall stand, and pointing say, (While the long fun'rals blacken all the way) "Lo! these were they, whose souls the furies steeled, And cursed with hearts unknowing how to yield." Thus unlamented pass the proud away, The gaze of fools, and pageant of a day! 40 So perish all, whose breast ne'er learned to glow 45 For others' good, or melt at others' woe. What can atone, oh ever-injured shade! To midnight dances, and the public show? What though no sacred earth allow thee room, There the first roses of the year shall blow; So peaceful rests, without a stone, a name, 75 A heap of dust alone remains of thee; 'Tis all thou art, and all the proud shall be! Poets themselves must fall like those they sung, Deaf the praised ear, and mute the tuneful tongue. Ev'n he, whose soul now melts in mournful lays, Shall shortly want the gen'rous tear he pays; Then from his closing eyes thy form shall part, 80 And the last pang shall tear thee from his heart, Life's idle business at one gasp be o'er, The muse forgot, and thou beloved no more! FROM AN ESSAY ON MAN EPISTLE I * * * * * * * III. Heav'n from all creatures hides the book of fate, All but the page prescribed, their present state; From brutes what men, from men what spirits know; 80 Or who could suffer being here below? The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to-day, |