3763 
 W7e
 
 / 
 
 / 
 
 v^ /' 
 
 EDUCATION, 
 
 A 
 
 POEM: 
 
 In TWO CANTOS. 
 
 Written in Imitation of the S t y l e and M a n n ea 
 
 O F 
 
 SPENSER'S Fairy Queen. 
 
 By GILBERT WEST, E/^, 
 
 CANTO the Firft. 
 
 Unum ftudium vere liberale eft, quod liberum facit. Hoc Sapientiae 
 ftudium eft, fublime, forte, magnanimum : Coetera pufilla & puerilia 
 
 funt. Plus fcire velle quam fit fatis intemperantias genus eft. Quid, 
 
 quod ifta liberalium Artium Confedatio moleftos, verbofos, intempefti- 
 vos, fibi placentes facit, & ideo non difcentes neceflaria, quia fuperva- 
 ;ua didicerunt. Sen. Ep. 88. 
 
 L IV D N : 
 Printed for R. D o d s l e y in Pall-mall ; 
 And fold by M. C o o p e r in Pater-no ft er-Roiso. 1 75 1. 
 [ Price One Shilling and Six-pence. ]
 
 iCill jO
 
 ( 3 ) ^r>^ 
 
 ED U C A T I O N, 
 
 A 
 
 ,'i'. 
 
 p O E M. 
 
 7vi. H/j-J**-'— '- 
 
 ,J*/VV**- -'■"• 
 
 Infcrib'd to Lady L a n g h a m, 
 Widowof Sir John LANGHAM,Bt. 
 
 Goodly Discipline ! from Heavn y-fprong! 
 Parent of Science ! Queen of Arts refin d ! 
 To whom the Graces, and the Ni7je belong : 
 O ! bid thofe. Gr^m, in fair Chorus join'd . . 
 With each bright T^/r/z^^ that adorns xhe Mind ! 
 O bid the Mufes, thine harmonious ^Train, - 
 . Who by thy Aid erft humaniz'd Mankind, ttr^ JiMJ 
 - ', Infpire, dired, and moralize the Strain, 
 That doth efiay to teach thy Treafures how t6 gain 1 
 
 A 2 ^"^^ 
 
 959413
 
 [ 4 ] 
 
 And Thou, whofe pious and maternal Care, 
 
 Tlic Subftitute of heav'nly Providence, 
 With tendereft Love my Orphan Life did rear, 
 And train me up to manly Strength and Senfe ; 
 With mildeft Awe, and virtuous Influence, 
 Diredling my unpradlic'd wayward Feet 
 To the finooth Walks of Truth and Innocence ; 
 Where Happinefs heart-felt, Contentment fweet, 
 Philofophy divine aye hold their bleft Retreat, 
 
 Thou, moft beIov*d, moft honour'd, moft rever*d \ 
 Accept this Verfe, to thy large Merit due ! 
 And blame me not, if by each Tye endear'dj 
 Of Nature, Gratitude, and Friendfliip true, 
 The whiles this moral Thtjis I purfue, 
 And trace the Plan of goodly i* Nurture o'er, 
 I bring thy modefi Virtues into View ; 
 And proudly boaft that from thy precious Store, 
 Which erft enrich'd my Heart, I drew this facred Lore. 
 
 And 
 
 •f NurturCy EducatioEfc.
 
 [ s .1 
 
 And thus, I ween, thus fliall I beft repay 
 The vahied Gifts, thy careful Love beftow'd ; 
 If hnitating Thee, well as I may, 
 I labour to difFufe th' important Good ; 
 'Till this great Truth by all be underftood ; 
 " That all the pious Duties which we owe, 
 
 Our Parents, Friends, our Country and our God i 
 The Seeds of every Virtue here below, 
 f* From Difcipline alone, and early Culture grow» 
 
 « 
 
 <c 
 
 CANTO
 
 [ 6 ] 
 
 
 j) 
 
 C A N T O L 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 77je Knight^ as to -f P^dia'j Houfe 
 He his young Eon conveys^ 
 
 Is Jlaid ^ Custom J with him JighfSy 
 And his vain Pride difmays. 
 
 A Gentle Knight there was, whofe noble Deeds 
 O' ev Fairy Land hy Fame were blazon'd round: 
 For War like Enterprize, and fage f areeds 
 Emong the chief alike was he renown'd ; 
 Whence with the Marks of higheft Honours crown'd 
 By Gloria N A, in Domeftick Peace, 
 That Port, to which the Wife are ever bound, 
 He anchor'd was, and chang'd the toffing Seas 
 Cf buftling bufy Life, for calm fequefter'd Eafe. 
 
 II. There 
 
 * P^dia is a Greek Word, fignifying Education. 
 ■\ Areeds, Counfels.
 
 [ 7 ] 
 
 ir. 
 
 There in domefl"ick Virtue rich and great 
 As crft in puWick, 'mid his wide Domain, 
 Long in primaeval Patriarchal State, 
 The Lord, the Judge, the Father of the Plain, 
 ■ He dwelt ; and with him, in the golden Chain 
 Of wedded Faith y-link'd, a Mat?~on lage 
 Aye dwelt ; fweet Partner of his Joy and Pain, 
 Sweet Charmer of his Youth, Friend of his Age, 
 Skill'd to improve his Blifs, his Sorrows to affuage. 
 
 in. 
 
 From this fair Union, not of fordid Gain, 
 But Merit fmiilar and mutual Love, 
 True Source of lineal Virtue, fprung a Train 
 Of Youths and Virgins ; like the beauteous Grove, 
 Which round the Temple of Ohmpick yove^ 
 Begirt with youthful Bloom the -f Parent Tree, 
 Th.^ f acred Olive ; whence old Elis wove 
 Her verdant Crowns of peaceful Victory, 
 The * Guerdons of bold Strength, and fivift Adivity. 
 
 t Parent Trec^ the [acred Qlive\ This Tree grew in thcyf/z/i, or facrecl Grove 
 of Olympick Jupiter at Otympia, having, as th' Eleans pretended, been originally 
 planted there by Hercules. It ^yas eftceni'd facred, and from that were taken 
 the Olympick Crowns. See Paufanias, Eliac, and ih.^ Dijfertaiicn en the Olyni.Gama, 
 
 * Guerdo/ii, Rewards,
 
 [ 8 ] 
 IV. 
 
 So round their noble Parents goodly rofe 
 
 Thefe generous Scyons ; they with watchful Care 
 
 Still, as the fwelling Paflions gan difclofe 
 
 The Buds of future Virtues, did prepare 
 
 With prudent Culture the young Shoots to rear : 
 
 And aye in this endearing pious Toil 
 
 / ^ They by a -f* Palmer fage inftrudled were, 
 
 Who from deep Thought and ftudions Search erewhile 
 
 Had learnt to mend the Heart, and till the Human Soil. 
 
 V. 
 For by ccEleftial Wifdom whilom led 
 Through all th' Apartments of th' immortal Mind, 
 He view'd her fecret Stores, and mark'd the % Sted 
 To Judgment, Wit, and Memory aflign'd ; 
 And how Senfation and Refledion join'd 
 To fill with Images her darkfome Grotte^ 
 Where varioufly disjointed or combin'd, 
 As Reafon, Fancy, or Opinion wrought. 
 
 Their variousMasksthey play'djand fed her penfiveThought. 
 
 VI. Alfe 
 
 ■f Palmer, Pilgrim. The Perfon here fignified is Mr. Locke, charadteriz'd by 
 his Works. 
 
 X Stedt Place, Station.
 
 [ 9 ] 
 VI. 
 
 * Alfe through the Fields of Science had he ftray'd 
 
 With eager Search ; and fent his piercing Eye 
 
 Through each learn'd School^ each Philojophkk Shade, 
 
 Where T'ruth and Fir t tie erft were deem'd to He ; 
 
 It haply the fair Vagrants he f mote Ipy, 
 
 Or hear the Mufick of their charming Lore : 
 
 But all unable there to fatisfy 
 
 His curious Soul, he turn'd him to explore 
 
 'Ihtfacred Writ of Faith ; to learn, believe, adore. 
 
 VII. 
 Thence Foe profefs'd of FalJJjood and Deceit, 
 Thofe fly Artificers of Tyranny, 
 + Aye holding up before uncertain Feet 
 His faithfull Light, to K?tO'wledge, Liberty, 
 Mankind he led, to Civil Policy, 
 And mild Religioji\ charitable Lav/ ; 
 That fram'd by Mercy and Benig?iity 
 The perfecuting Sword forbids to draw, 
 
 And free-created Souls with penal Terrours awe. 
 
 B Vin. Ne 
 
 * Alfe., alfo, further, f Mate, might. X Jye, ever.
 
 [ lo ] 
 VIII. 
 
 * Ne with thefe glorious Gifts elate and vain 
 Lock'd he his Wifdom up in churlifh Pride ; 
 But, ftooping from his Height, would even deign 
 The feeble Steps of hifancy to guide. 
 / Eternal Glory Him therefore betide ! 
 
 Let every generous Youth his Praife proclaim ! 
 Who, wand'ring through theWorld's rude Foreft wide, 
 By him hath been y-taught his Courfe to frame 
 
 To Virtues fweet Abodes, and Heav'n-afpiring Fa7?ie / 
 
 IX. 
 For this the Fairy Knight with anxious Thought, 
 And fond paternal Care his Counfel pray'd ; 
 And him of gentleft Courtefy befought 
 His Guidance to vouchfafe and friendly Aid ; 
 The while his tender Offspring he convey'd, 
 Through devious Paths to that fecure Retreat ; 
 Where fage P^edia, with each tuneful Maid, 
 On a wide Mount had fix'd her rural Seat, 
 
 'Mid flowery Gardens placed, untrod by vulgar Feet. 
 
 X. And 
 
 * jV^, nor.
 
 [ II ] 
 
 X. 
 
 And now forth-pacing with his blooming Heir, 
 
 And that fame virtuous Palmer them to guide ; 
 
 Arm'd all to point, and on a Courfer fair 
 
 Y-mounted high, in military Pride, 
 
 His little Train before he flow did ride. 
 
 Him eke behind a gentle Squire * enfues. 
 
 With his young Lord aye marching fide by fide, 
 
 His Counfellour and Guard, in goodly -f Thews, 
 
 Who well had been up-brought, and nurs'd by every Mufe. 
 
 XL 
 
 Thus as their pleafing Journey they purfued, 
 
 With chearful Argument beguiling Pain ; 
 
 Ere long defcending from an Hill they view'd 
 
 Beneath their Eyes out-ftretch'd a fpacious Plain, 
 
 That fruitful fhew'd, and apt for every Grain, 
 
 For Paftures, Vines and Flow'rs ; while Nature fair 
 
 Sweet-fmiling all around with Count'nance % fain 
 
 Seem'd to demand the Tiller's Art and Care, 
 
 Her Wildnefs to corred, her lavifh Wafle repair. 
 
 B 2 XII. Right 
 
 * Enfues, follows, f Theisms, Manners. X Fain, earned, eager.
 
 [ 12 ] 
 
 XII. 
 
 Right good, I ween, and bounteous was the Soil, 
 Aye wont in happy Seafons to repay 
 With tenfold Ufury the Peafant's Toil. 
 But now 'twas Ruin all, and wild Decay j 
 Untill'd the Garden and the Fallow lay, 
 'I heSheep-fhorneDown with barren*Brahes o'ergrown; 
 The whiles the merry Peafants fport and play, 
 All as the publick Evil were unknown. 
 Or every publick Care from every Breaft was flown. 
 
 XIII. 
 Aftonifh'd at a Scene at once fo fair 
 And fo deform'd ; with Wonder and Delight 
 At Man's negleft, and Nature's Bounty rare. 
 In ftudious Thought a- while the Fairy Knight, 
 Bent on that goodly X Lond his eager Sight : 
 Then forward rufli'd, impatient to defcry 
 What Towns or Caflles there-in were -f- empight ; 
 For Towns him feem'd, and Caftles he did fpy, 
 As to th' Horizon round he ftretch'd his roaming Eye. 
 
 XIV. Nor 
 
 * Bribes, Briars. J Lond, Land. -^ Empight., placed.
 
 [ 13 ] 
 XIV. 
 
 Nor long way had they travelFd, crc they came 
 
 To a wide Stream, that with tumultuous Roar 
 
 Emongfl: rude Rocks it's windiiio; Courfe did frame. 
 
 Black was the Wave and fordid, cover'd o'er 
 
 With angry Foam, and ftain'd with Infant's Gore. 
 
 Thereto along th' unlovely margin ftood 
 
 A Birchen Grove, that waving from the Shore, 
 
 Aye caft upon the Tide it's falling Bud, 
 
 And with- it's bitter Juice empoifon'd all the Flood. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Right in the Centre of the Vale empight, 
 
 Not diftant far a forked Mountam rofc ; 
 
 In outward Form prelcnting to the Sight 
 
 That fam'd P arnajfia7i Hill, on whofe fair Bro\^•s 
 
 The Nme Aonian Sifters wont repoie ; 
 
 Lift'ning to fweet Caf-alia\ founding Stream, 
 
 Wliich throuD:h the Plains of Cirrha murm'rino- flow^. 
 
 But This to That compar'd mote juftly fecm 
 
 Ne fitting Haunt for Gods, ne worthy Man's Efteem. 
 
 XVI. For
 
 [ H ] 
 XVI. 
 
 For This nor founded deep, nor fpredden wide, 
 
 Nor high up-rais'd above the level Plain, 
 
 By toiling Art through tedious Years applied. 
 
 From various Parts compil'd with ftudious Pain, 
 
 Was * erft up-thrown ; if fo it mote attain, 
 
 Like that Poetick Mountain^ to be -f- hight 
 
 The noble Seat of Learning's goodly Train. 
 
 Thereto, the more to captivate the Sight, 
 
 It like a Garden fair moft curioufly was % dight. 
 
 XVII. 
 In figur'd Plots with leafy Walls inclcs'd, 
 By Meafure and by Rule it was out-lay'd ; 
 With Symmetry fo regular difpos'd, 
 That Plot to Plot ftill anfwer'd, Shade to Shade ; 
 Each correfpondent Twain alike array'd 
 With like Embellifhments of Plants and Flow'rs, 
 Of Statues, Vafes, fpouting Founts, that play'd 
 Through Shells of Tritons their afcending Show'rs, 
 
 And Labyrinths involv'd and Trelice-woven Bow'rs. 
 
 XVIII. There 
 
 * Erfty formerly, -f Hight, called, named. X Dight, dreft.
 
 [ M ] 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 There likewife mote be fcen on every fide 
 
 The Yew obedient to the Planter's will, 
 
 And iliapely Box of all their branching Pride 
 
 Ungently fhorne, and with prepofterous Skill 
 
 To various Beafts and Birds of fund ry Quill 
 
 Transform'd, and Human Shapes of monftrous Size ; 
 
 Huge as that Giant-Race, who. Hill on Hill 
 
 High-heaping, fought with impious vain * Emprize, 
 
 Defpight of thund'ring ^ove^ to fcale the fteepy Skies. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Alfe other Wonders of the Iportive Shears 
 
 Fair Nature mif-adorning there were found ; 
 
 -Globes, fpiral Columns, Pyramids and Piers 
 
 With fprouting Urns and budding Statues crown'd ; 
 
 And horizontal Dials on the Ground 
 
 In living Box by cunning Artifls trac'd ; 
 
 And Gallies trim^ on no long Voyage bound. 
 
 But by their Roots there ever anchor'd faft, 
 
 f All were their bellying Sails out-fpread to every Blall. 
 
 XX. O'er 
 
 * Emprize, Enterprize, Attempt, -f AH, ufed frequently by the old EngHjh 
 Poets tor ail-though.
 
 [ ^6 ] 
 
 XX. 
 O'er all appear'd the Mountain's forked Brows 
 With Terraffes on TerrafTes up-thrown ; 
 And all along arrang'd in order 'd Rows, 
 And Viftos broad, the velvet Slopes ad own 
 The ever-verdant Trees of Daphte flione. 
 But aliens to the Clime, and brought of old 
 From Latian Plains, and Grecian Helicon, 
 They ihrunk and languilli'd in a foreign Mold, 
 By changeful Summers ftarv'd, and pinch'd by Winter's Cold- 
 
 XXI. 
 Amid this verdant Grove with folemn State, 
 On golden Thrones of antique Form reclin'd, 
 In mimick Majefty JVine Virgins fate. 
 In Feature various, as unlike in Mind : 
 Alfe boafted they themfelves of heav'nly kind. 
 And to the fwect Pariiajftan Nymphs allied ; 
 Thence round their Brows t}\QDelphickBay they twin'd, 
 And matching with high Names their apifli Pride, 
 O'er every learned School aye claim'd they to prefide. 
 
 XXII. In
 
 [ 17 ] 
 XXII. 
 
 In antique Garbs, for modern they dirdain'd, ^ 
 
 By Greek and Roman Artifls -f whilom made, 
 
 Of various Woofs, and varioufly diftain'd 
 
 With Tints of ev'ry Hue, were they array'd ; 
 
 And here and there ambitioufly difplay'd 
 
 A Purple Shred of fome rich Robe prepared 
 
 Erft by the Mufes or th' Athenian Maid 
 
 To deck great Tullius or the Mantuan Bard ; 
 
 Which o'er each motley Veft with uncouth Splendor glared. 
 
 xxiir. 
 
 And well their outward Vefture did exprefs 
 The Bent and Habit of their inward Mind, 
 Affeding Wifdom's antiquated Drefs, \/ 
 
 And Ufages by Time caft far behind. 
 Thence, to the Charms of younger Science blind, 
 The Cuftoms, Laws, the Learning, Arts, and Phrafc X 
 Of their own Countries, they with fcorn declin'd ; 
 ^t f acred Truth herfelf would they embrace, 
 Unwarranted, unknown in their Fore- fathers Days. 
 
 C XXIV. Thus 
 
 ■fPFhilcm, formerly.
 
 J 
 
 I i8 ] 
 XXIV. 
 
 Thus ever backward cafting their Survey ; 
 
 To Rome\ old Ruins and the Groves forlorn 
 
 Of elder Athens^ which in profped lay 
 
 Stretch'd out beneath the mountain, would they turn 
 
 Their bufy Search, and o'er the Rubbifli mourn. 
 
 Then gathering up with fuperftitious Care, 
 
 Each little Scrap, however foul or torn, 
 
 In grave Harangues they boldly would declare, 
 
 This EnfiiuSy Varro ; This the Stagirite did wear. 
 
 XXV. 
 Yet, under Names of venerable Sound, 
 Wide o'er the World they ftretch'd their awful Rod ; 
 Through all the Provinces of Learning own'd 
 For Teachers of whate'er is Wife and Good. 
 Alfe from each Region to their -f drad Abode 
 Came Youths unnumber'd, crouding all to tafte 
 The Streams of Scie?ice \ which united flow'd 
 A down the Mount ^ from Nine rich fources caft; 
 
 And to the Vale below in one rude Torrent pafs'd. 
 
 XXVI. O'er 
 
 t Drad^ dreadful.
 
 [ 19 ] 
 XXVI. 
 
 O'er every Source, Protedrers of the Stream, 
 
 One of thofe Virgin Sijlers did prefide ; 
 
 Who, dignifying with her noble Name 
 
 Her proper Flood, aye pour'd into the Tide 
 
 The heady Vapours of Scholajlick Pride 
 
 Defpotical and abjedl, bold and blind, 
 
 Fierce in Debate, and forward to decide ; 
 
 Vain Love of Praife, with Adulation join'd. 
 
 And diiingenuous Scorn, and Impotence of Mind. 
 
 XXVII. 
 Extending from the Hill on every fide, 
 In Circuit vaft a verdant Valley fpread ; 
 Acrofs whofe uniform flat Bofom glide 
 Ten thoufand Streams, in winding mazes led, 
 By various Sluces from one common Head; 
 A turbid Mafs of Waters, vaft, profound, 
 Hight of Philology the Lake ; and fed ^ 
 
 By that rude Torrent, which with roaring Sound 
 
 Came tumbling from the Hill, and flow'd the Level round. 
 
 C 2 XXVIII. And
 
 [ 20 ] 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 And every where this fpacious Valley o'er. 
 Fad by each Stream was feen a numerous Throng 
 Of beardlefs Striplings^ to the birch-crown*d Shore, 
 By Nurfes, Guardians, Fathers dragg'd along r 
 ^J Who helplefs, meek, and innocent of Wrong, 
 Were torn relu(9:ant from the tender fide 
 Of therr fond Mothers, and by f Faitours ftrong. 
 By Pow'r niade Infolent, and hard by Pride 
 Were diiv'n with furious Rage, and laili'd into the Tide. 
 
 XXIX. 
 On the rude Bank with trembling Feet they flood,. 
 And cafling round their oft-reverted Eyes, 
 If haply they mote 'fcape the hated Flood, 
 Fill'd all the Plain with lamentable Cries ; 
 But far away th' unheeding Father flies, 
 Conftrain'd his flrong Compimdlions to reprefs j 
 While clofe behind, afluming the Difguife 
 Of nurturing Care, and fmiling Tendernefs, 
 With fecret Scourges arm'd thofe griefly Faitours prefs. 
 
 XXX. As 
 
 + Fahour, Doer, horn f aire, to do znd fail Deed, commonly ufed by Spenfer 
 in a bad Senle.
 
 [ 21 J 
 
 XXX. 
 
 As on the fleepy Margin of a Brook, 
 When the young Sun with flowery Maia rides,, 
 With innocent Difmay a bleating Flock 
 Croud back, affrighted at the rolling Tides - 
 The Shepherd-Swain at firft exhorting chides. 
 Their f feely Fear ; at length impatient grown, 
 With his rude Crook he wounds their tender Sides ; 
 And all regardlefs of their piteous moan. 
 
 Into the dafliing Waves compells them furious down* 
 
 XXXI. 
 Thus urg'd by maft'ring Fear and dol'rous r)^ 'Tee?i 
 Into the Current plung'd that Infant Croud, 
 Right piteous was the Spedacle, I ween,''* hrj". 
 Of tender Striplings, ftain'd with Tears and Blood, 
 Perforce conflidting with the bitter Flood ; 
 And labouring to attain the diftant Shore, hr^h 
 Where holdings forth the Gown of Manhood ftood 
 The Siren Liberty, and ever-more 
 
 Sollicited their Hearts with her inchanting Lore. r: MV7 
 
 XXXII. Irk- 
 f Seek, fimple. • Teen., Pain, Grief.
 
 [ 22 ] 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 Irkfome and long the PafTage was, perplex' d 
 With rugged Rocks on which the raving Tide 
 By fudden Burfts of angry Tempefts vex'd 
 Oft dafli'd the Youth, whofe Strength mote ill abide 
 With Head up-lifted o'er the Waves to ride. 
 Whence many wearied ere they had o'er-paft 
 The middle Stream (for they in vain have tried) 
 Again return' d f aftounded and aghafl: ; 
 
 Ne one regardful Look would ever backward caft. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 Some, of a rugged, more enduring Frame, 
 Their toilfom Courfe with patient Pain purfu'd ; 
 And tho' with many a Bruife and * muchel Blame, 
 Eft hanging on the Rocks, and eft embru'd 
 Deep in the muddy Stream, with Hearts fubdu'd 
 And quail'd by Labour, gain'd the Shore at laft. 
 But in Life's pradlick || Lear unfkill'd and rude, 
 Forth to that Forked Hill they filent paced ; 
 
 Where hid in ftudious Shades their fruitlefsHours they wafte. 
 
 XXXIV. Others 
 
 •f JJlotinded, aftonifh'd, * Mttchely much. |I Lear., Learning.
 
 [ .^ ] 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Others of rich and noble Lineage bred, 
 Though with the Croud to pafs the Flood conftrain'd, 
 Yet o'er the Craggs with fond Indulgence led ^y^ 
 
 By hireling Guides and in all Depths fuftain'd, 
 Skimm'd lightly o'er the Tide, undipt, unftain'd, 
 Save with the fprinkling of the wat'ry Spray :: • 
 And aye their proud Prerogative maintain'd, 
 Of Ignorance and Eafe and wanton Play, 
 
 Soft Harbingers of Vice, and premature Decay. 
 
 XXXV. 
 A Few, alas, how few ! by Heav'n's high Will- ^-^ 
 With fubtile Spirits endow'd and Sinews ftrong, 
 *Albe fore -f- mated by the Tempefts fhrill^ 
 That bellow'd fierce and rife the Rocks among, 
 By their own Native Vigour borne along y^ 
 
 Cut brifkly through the Waves ; and Forces new 
 Gathering from Toil, and Ardor from the Throng 
 Of rival Youths, outftript the labouring Crew, 
 
 And to the true % Parnajfe^ and Heav'n-thron'd Glory flew. 
 
 XXXVLDire 
 
 *Alhei although. -[Mated, amazed, feared, i Parnajfe, Parnafllis.
 
 C ^4 ] 
 XXXVI. 
 
 Dire was the Tumult, and frofti every Shore 
 
 • Difborda'tif^Ecdib^s ftruck tQ'i3^alferi'a Ear,'' ' 
 
 Heart-thrilling Cries, with Sobbs and f Singults fore 
 
 Short-interrupted, the imploring Tear, 
 
 •And furious Stripes, and angry Threats fevere,' 
 
 Confus'dly mingled with the jarring Sound 
 
 Of all the various Speeches that * while-ear 
 
 On Sh77iar\ wide-fpread Champain did aftound 
 
 High Babefz Builders v^ain, and their proud Works confound. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 Much was the Knight empaflion'd at the Scene, 
 
 But more his blooming Son ; whofe tender Breaft 
 
 Empierced deep with fympathizing Teen 
 
 On his pale Cheek the Signs of Dread imprefs'd, 
 
 And fiird his Eyes with Tears, which fore diflrefs'd 
 
 Up to his Sire he rais'd in mournful wife ; 
 
 i "■'Who with fweet Smiles paternal foon redrcfs'd 
 
 His troublous Thoughts, and clear' d each fad Surmife; 
 
 Then turns his ready Steed, and on his Journey hies. 
 
 XXXVIII. But 
 
 t Singulis, fighs. * JVbik-ear, formerly.
 
 s< 
 
 [ 25 ] 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 But far he had not march'd ere he was ftay'd 
 By a rude Voice, that like th'united Sound 
 Of fhouting Myriads, through the Valley bray'd, 
 And ihook the Groves, the Floods, and folid Ground i 
 The diftant Hills rebellow'd all around. 
 " Arreft, Sir Knight^ it cried, thy fond Career, 
 ^* Nor with prefumptuous Difobedience wound 
 " That aweful Majefty, which all revere ! 
 * In my Commands, Sir Knight^ the Voice of Nations hear! 
 
 XXXIX. 
 Quick, turn'd the Knight, and faw upon the Plain 
 Advancing towards him with impetuous Gate, V 
 And Vifage all inflamed with fierce Difdaih, ^X y 
 A monftrous Giant, on whofe Brow elate \tf^ 
 Shone the bright Enlign of imperial State ; 
 Albeit lawful Kingdom had he none ; A 
 
 But Laws and Kingdoms wont he oft create, . , 
 And oft'times over both eredt his Throne, 
 While Senates, Priefls and Kings his tf9vran Sceptre own. 
 
 D XL. Custom 
 
 t Sovran, for Sovereign.
 
 [ 26 ] 
 
 XL. 
 
 Custom he hight ; and aye in every Land 
 Ufurp'd Dominion with defpotick Sway 
 O'er all he holds ; and to his high Command 
 Conftrains even ftubborn Nature to obey ; 
 Whom difpoffefling oft, he doth aflay 
 To govern in her Riglit : and with a Pace 
 So foft and gentle doth he win his Way, 
 That £he unwares is caught in his Embrace, 
 
 And tho' deflowr'd and thrall'd nought feels her foulDilgrace» 
 
 XLL 
 For nurt'ring, even from their tend'reft Age, 
 The docile Sons of Men, withouten Pain, 
 By Difciplines and Rules to every Stage 
 Of Life accommodate, he doth them train 
 Infenfibly to wear and hug his Chain. 
 Alfe his Behefts or gentle or fevere, 
 Or good or noxious, rational or vain, 
 He craftily perfuades them to revere, 
 
 As Inftitutions fage, and venerable Lear. 
 
 XLIL Pro-
 
 [ 27 ] 
 XLII. 
 
 Protedor therefore of that Forked Hill, 
 
 And mighty Patron of thofe Sifters Nme, 
 
 Who there enthron'd, with many a copious Rill 
 
 Feed the full Streams, that through the Valley fhine, 
 
 He deemed was ; and aye with Rites divine, 
 
 •f Like thofe, which Spartan hardy Race of yore 
 
 Were wont perform at fell Dianas Shrine, 
 
 He doth conftrain his Vaffals to adore 
 
 Perforce their aweful Names, and learn their facred Lore, 
 
 XLIIL 
 And to the Fairy Knight now drawing near, 
 With Voice terrifick, and imperious Mien, 
 (All was he wont lefs dreadful to appear. 
 When known and pradifed than at Diftance feen) 
 And Kingly ftretching forth his Sceptre fheen, 
 He him commandeth, upon threatned Pain 
 Of his Difpleafure high and Vengeance keen. 
 From his rebellious Purpofe to refrain, 
 
 And all due Honours pay to Learnings rev'rend Train. 
 
 t The Lacedemonians in order to make their Children hardy and endure Pain 
 with Conftancy and Courage, were accuftomed to caufe them to be fcourg.:d 
 very feverely. And I mylelf (iays Plutarch, in his Lile oi" Lycurgiis) have 
 feen feveral of them endure whipping to Death, at the Foot of the Altar ol 
 Diana furnamed Orthia,
 
 L 28 J 
 
 XLIV, 
 
 So faying and foreftalling all Reply, 
 His peremptory Hand without Delay, 
 As one who little cared to juftify 
 His princely Will, long us'd. to boundlefs Sway,, 
 Upon the Fairy Youth with great Difmay 
 In every quaking Limb convulsed, he lay'd : 
 And proudly ftalking o'er the verdant * Lay, 
 / Him to thofe fcientijick Streams convey'd. 
 With many his young Compeers therein to be f embay' d. 
 
 XLV, 
 The Knight his tender Son's diftrefsful :{;Stour 
 Perceiving, fwift to his Ailiftance flew : 
 Ne vainly ftay'd to deprecate that Pow'r, 
 Which from Submiffion aye more haughty grew^ 
 For that proud Giant's Force he wifely knew. 
 Not to be meanly dreaded, nor defy'd 
 With rafli Prefumption ; and with Courage true,. 
 Rather than ftep from Virtue's Paths aflde. 
 Oft had he Singly fcorn'd his all-difmaying Pride. 
 
 XL VI. And 
 
 *Lay, Mead. + Embafd^ bathed, dipt. X Stoiir, Trouble, Misfortune, &c.
 
 ( 29 ) 
 XLVI. 
 
 And now, difdaining Parle, his Courfcr hot 
 
 He fiercely prick'd, and couch'd his vengeful Spear • 
 
 Where- with the Giant he fo rudely fmot, 
 
 That him perforce conftrain'd to -f- wend arrear. 
 
 Who, much abadi'd at fuch Rebuke fevere, 
 
 Yet his accuftom'd Pride recov'ring foon, 
 
 Forth-with his mafly Sceptre gan up -rear • 
 
 For other warlike Weapon had he none, 
 
 Ne other him behoved to quell his boldefl: J Fone. 
 
 XLVII. 
 With that enormous M"^*:^ the Fairy Knight 
 So fore he * bet, that all his Armour bray'd, 
 To pieces well-nigh riven with the Might 
 Of fo tempeftuous Strokes : but He was ftaid, . 
 And ever with deliberate Valour weigh'd 
 The fudden Changes of the doubtful Fray ; 
 From cautious Prudence oft deriving Aid, 
 When Force unequal did him hard affay : 
 
 So lightly from his Steed he leapt upon the Lay. 
 
 XL VIII. Then 
 
 ■f IVend anear, move backwards. X Fene, Foes. * Bet, beat, iray^d, refounded.
 
 [ 30 ] 
 XLVIII. 
 
 Then fwiftly drawing forth his * trenchant Blade, 
 High o'er his Head he held his fenceful Shield ; 
 And warily fore carting to evade 
 The Giant's furious Arm, about him wheel'd, 
 With reftlcfs Steps aye traveriing the Field. 
 And ever as his Foe's intemperate Pride, 
 Through Rage defencelefs, mote advantage yield, 
 With his fliarp Sword fo oft he did him f gride, 
 That his gold-fandal'd Feet in crimfon floods were dyed, 
 
 XLIX. 
 His bafer Parts he maim'd with many a Wound ; 
 But far above his utmoft Reach were | pight 
 The Forts of Life; ne ever to confound 
 With utter Ruin, and abolifh quite 
 A Power fo puifTant by his fingle Might 
 Did he prefume to hope : Himfelf alone 
 From lawlefs Force to free, in bloody Fight 
 He ftood ; content to bow to Custom's Throne, 
 
 So Reason mote not bluHi his fovran Rule to own, 
 
 L. So 
 
 * Trenchant, cutting, f Gride, cut, hack. X Pight^ placed.
 
 [ 31 ] 
 L. 
 
 So well he warded, and fo fiercely prelVd 
 
 His Foe, that weary wex'd he of the Fray ; 
 
 Yet * noiild he algates lower his haughty Creft ; 
 
 But mafking in Contempt his fore Difmay, 
 
 Difdainfully rekas'd the trembling Prey, 
 
 As one unworthy of his princely Care : 
 
 Then proudly carting on the warlike f Fay 
 
 A fmile of Scorn and Pity, through the Air 
 
 Gan blow his fhrilling Horn ; the Blaft was heard afaio 
 
 LI. 
 Eftfoons aftonifh'd at th' alarming Sounds 
 The Signal of Diftrefs and hoftile Wrong, 
 Confufedly trooping from all Quarters round, 
 Came pouring o'er the Plain a numerous Throng; 
 Of every Sex and Order, old and young ; 
 The Vaffals of great Custom's wide Dom.ain, 
 Who to his Lore inur'd by Ufage long. 
 His every Summons heard with Pleafure fain. 
 
 And felt his every Wound with fympathetick Pain. 
 
 LIL They, 
 
 * NouU he algales^ would no: by any ineans. f Fay^ Fairy.
 
 J 
 
 C 32 ) 
 Lir. 
 
 They, when their bleedmg KJng they did behold. 
 And faw an armed Knight him {landing near, 
 Attended by that Pahner fage and bold ; 
 Whofe vent'rous Search of devious Truth while-ear 
 Spread through the Realms oi Learning Horrors drear, 
 Y-feized were at firft with Terrors great ; 
 And in their boding Hearts began to fear, 
 DilTention fadious, controverfial Hate, 
 
 And Innovations llrange in Custom's peaceful State, 
 
 LilL 
 But when they "faw the Knight his Fauchion fheathe, 
 And climbing to his Steed march thence away. 
 With all his hoftile Train, they gan to breathe 
 With freer Spirit, and with Afpedl gay 
 Soon chaced the gathering Clouds of black Affray. 
 Alfe their great Monarch, cheared with the View 
 Of Myriads, who confefs'd his fovran Sway, 
 His ruffled Pride began to plume an^w ; 
 
 And on his Bugle clear a Strain of Triumph blew. 
 
 LIV. There-
 
 [ 33 ] 
 LIV. 
 
 There-at the Multitude, that flood around, 
 
 Sent up at once a univerfal Roar 
 
 Of boifterous Joy : the fudden-burfthig Sound, 
 
 Like the Exploiion of a warUke Store 
 
 Of nitrous Grain, th' afHided * Welkin tore. 
 
 Then turning towards the Knight, with Scoffings lewd, 
 
 Heart-piercing Infults, and ReviUngs fore. 
 
 Loud Burfls of Laughter vain, and Hiffes rude, 
 
 As through the Throng he pafs'd, his parting Steps purfued* 
 
 LV. 
 Alfe from that Forked Hill the boafted Scat 
 Of ftudious Peace^ and mild Philofopby, 
 Indignant Murmurs mote be heard to threat, 
 Muftering their Rage ; eke baleful Infa?ny, 
 Rouz'd from her Den of bafe Obfcurity 
 By thofe fame Maide?is Nine, began to found 
 Her brazen Trump of black'ning Obloquy ; 
 While Satire, with dark Clouds encompaft round, ^ 
 
 Sharp, fecret Arrows fhot, and aim'd his Back to wound. 
 
 *Weikin, Sky. 
 
 E LVI. But
 
 [ 3+ ] 
 LVI. 
 
 But the brave Fairy Knight no whit difmay'd 
 
 Held on his peaceful Journey o'er the Plain ; 
 
 With curious Eye obferving, as he ftray'd 
 
 Through the wide Provinces of Custom's Rei^-n. 
 
 What mote afrefli admonifli him remain 
 
 Fail by his virtuous Purpofe ; all around 
 
 So many Objects mov'd his juft Difdain : 
 
 Him feem'd that nothing ferious, nothing found 
 
 In City, Village, Bow'r, or Caftle mote be found. 
 
 LVII. 
 In Village, City, Caftle, Bow'r and Hall, 
 Each Sex, each Age, each Order and Degree, 
 To Vice and idle Sport abandon'd all. 
 Kept one perpetual general Jubilee. 
 Ne fuffered ought difturb their merry Glee ; 
 Ne Senfe of private Lofs, ne publick Woes, 
 Rcilraint of Law, Religion's drad Decree, 
 Inteftine Defolation, Foreign Foes, fThrows 
 
 Nor Heav'n's tempeftuous Threats, nor Earth's convulfive 
 
 LVIII. But
 
 [ 35 ] 
 LVIII. 
 
 But chiefly They whom Heav'n's difpofing Hand, 
 
 Had featcd high on Fortune's upper Stage ; 
 
 And plac'd within their Call the facred Band 
 
 That waits on Nurture and Inftru6lion fage, 
 
 If haply their wife f Hefts mote them engage 
 
 To climb through Knowledge to more noble Praife ; 
 
 And as they mount, enlighten every Age 
 
 With the bright Influence of fair Virtue's Rays ; 
 
 Which from the aweful Heights of Grandeur brighter blaze. 
 
 LIX. 
 They, O perverfe and bafe Ingratitude ! 
 Defpiflng the great Ends of Providence, 
 For which above their Mates they were endued 
 With Wealth, Authority, and Eminence, 
 To the low Services of brutal Senfe 
 Abufed the Means of Pleafures more refin'd, 
 Of Knowledge, Virtue, and Beneficence ; 
 And fettering on her Throne th' immortal Mind, 
 
 The Guidance of her Realm to Paflions wild reflgn'd. 
 
 E 2 LX. Hence 
 
 * Hejis, Bebejis, Precepts, Commands,
 
 [ 36 ] 
 LX. 
 
 Hence thoiiglitlcfs, Hiamelefs, recklefs, fpiritlcTs, 
 
 Nought worthy of then- Kind did they afl'ay : 
 
 But or benumb'd with pallied Idlcnefs 
 
 In meerjy living loiter'd Life away. 
 
 Or by falfc Tafte of Pleafure led aftray, 
 
 For-ever wand'ring in the fenfual Bow'rs 
 
 Of feverifli Debauch, and luftful Play, 
 
 Spent on ignoble Toils their adive Pow'rs, 
 
 And with untimely Blafts difeas'd their vernal Hours. 
 
 LXI. 
 Ev'n They, to whom kind Nature did accord 
 A Frame more delicate, and purer Mind, 
 Though the foul Brothel and the wine-ftain'd Board 
 Of beaftly Comus loathing they declin'd, 
 Yet their foft Hearts to idle Joys reiign'd ; 
 Like painted Infed;s, through the Summer-Air 
 Witli random Flight aye ranging uncontin'd j 
 And tailing every Flow'r and Bloffom fair, 
 
 Withouten any Choice, withouten any Care. 
 
 LXIL For
 
 [ 37 } 
 LXII. 
 
 For Choice them needed none, who only fought 
 
 With vain Amufements to beguile the Day ; 
 
 And wherefore fliould they take or Care or Thought, 
 
 Whom Nature prompts, and Fortune calls to play ? 
 
 ** Lords of the Earth, be happy as ye may ! y' 
 
 So learn'd, fo taught thefe Leaders of Mankind ; 
 
 'I'll' unreas'ning Vulgar willingly obey, 
 
 And leaving Toil and Po\^erty bcliind, 
 
 Ran forth by different Ways the blifsful Boon to find. 
 
 LXIIL 
 Nor tedious was the Search ; for every where, 
 As nigh great Custom's royal Tow'rs the Knight 
 Pafs'd through th' adjoining Hamlets, mote he hear 
 The merry Voice of feftival Delight 
 Saluting; the return of Mornino: bri<Tht 
 With Matin-Revels, by the Mid-day Hours 
 Scarce ended ; and again with dewy Night, 
 In cover'd Theatres, or leafy Bow'rs 
 
 Offering her Evening- Vows to Pleafures joyous Pow'rs. 
 
 LXIV. And
 
 [ 38 ] 
 LXIV. 
 
 And ever on the Way mote he efpy 
 
 Men, Women, Children, a promifcuous Throng 
 
 Of rich, poor, wife and fimple, low and high, 
 
 By Land, by Water, pafTmg aye along 
 
 With Mummers, Anticks, Muiick, Dance and Song, 
 
 To Pleafii7"e\ numerous Temples, that belide 
 
 The gliftening Streams, or tufted Groves among, 
 
 To every idle Foot ftood open vi^ide. 
 
 And every gay Deiire with various Joys fupplied. 
 
 LXV. 
 For there each Heart with diverfe Charms to move. 
 The fly Inchantrefs fummoned all her Train : 
 Alluring Ve7iiis^ Queen of vagrant Love, 
 The boon Companion Bacchus loud and vain, 
 And tricking Hermes, God of fraudful Gain, 
 Who, when blind Fortune throws, dire6ts the Die, 
 And Phoebus tuning his foft Lydia?z Strain 
 To wanton Motions, and the Lover's Sigh, 
 
 And Thought-beguiling Shew, and mafking Revelry. 
 
 LXVL Un-
 
 [ 39 3 
 LXVI. 
 
 Unmeet Aflbciates thefe for noble Youth, 
 
 Who to true Honour meaneth to afpire ; 
 
 And for the Works of Virtue, Faith, and Truth 
 
 Would keep his manly Faculties entire. 
 
 The which avizing well, the cautious Sire 
 
 From that foft Sire?i-Land of Pleafaunce vain 
 
 With timely Hafte was minded to retire. 
 
 Or ere f the fweet Contagion mote attain 
 
 His Son's unpradlic'd Heart, yet free from vicious Stain. 
 
 LXVII. 
 So turning from that beaten Road afide, 
 Through many a devious Path he gently paced. 
 As that experienc'd Palmer did him guide, 
 'Till to a Mountain hoare they come at laft ; 
 Whofe high-rais'd Brows with filvan Honours graced, 
 Majeftically frown'd upon the Plain, 
 And over all an aweful Horrour caft. 
 Seem'd as thofe Villas gay it did difdain, 
 
 Which fpangled all the Vale like Florae painted Train. 
 
 LXVIII. The 
 
 ■}■ Or ere, before.
 
 [ 40 ] 
 LXVIII. 
 
 Ihe Hill afcending ftrait, ere while they came 
 
 To a tall Gro\^e, whofe thick embow'ring Shade, 
 
 Impervious to the Sun's meridian Flame 
 
 Ev'n at mid-noon a dubious Twilight made ; 
 
 Like to that fobcr Light, which difarray'd 
 
 Of all it's gorgeous Robe, with blunted Beams, 
 
 Through Windows dim with Holy Ads pourtray'd, 
 
 Along fome cloifter'd Abby faintly gleams, 
 
 Abftrading the raptThought from vain earth-mufmgT hemes. 
 
 LIX. 
 
 Beneath this high o'er-arching Canopy 
 
 C f cluft'ring Oaks, a Silvan Colonnade, 
 
 Aye lift'ning to the native Melody 
 
 Of Birds fweet-ecchoing through the lonely Shade, 
 
 On to the Centre of the Grove they ftray'd ; 
 
 Which, in a fpacious Circle opening round. 
 
 Within it's fhelt'ring Arms fecurely laid, 
 
 Difclofed to fudden View a Vale profound, 
 
 With Nature's artlefs Smiles and tranquil Beauties crown'd. 
 
 LXX. There,
 
 [ 41 ] 
 LXX. 
 
 There, on die Bafis of an ancient Pile, 
 
 Whofc crofs furmounted Spire o'erlook'd the Woodj 
 
 A venerable Matron they ere- while 
 
 Difcover'd have, belide a murm'ring Flood 
 
 Reclining in right fad and penilve Mood. 
 
 Retir'd vi^ithin her own abflradcd Breaft, 
 
 She feem'd o'er various Woes by turns to brood ; 
 
 The which her changing Chear by Turns expreft, 
 
 Now glowing with Difdain, with Grief now X over-keft, 
 
 LXXI. 
 Her thus immers'd in anxious Thought profound 
 When-as the Knight perceiv'd, he nearer drew j 
 To weet what bitter Bale did her aftound. 
 And whence th' Occafion of her anguifh grew. 
 For that right noble Matron well he knew ; 
 And many Perils huge, and Labours fore 
 Had for her fake endured ; her Vafl'al true, 
 Train'd in her Love, and pradliced evermore 
 
 Her Honour to refped, and reverence her Lore. 
 
 P LXXIL O 
 
 * Over-kejl^ for over-caft.
 
 t 42 ] 
 LXXIL 
 
 O deareft Drad ! he cried, fair IJJa?td-^een / 
 
 Mother of Heroes ! E/nprefs of the Main ! 
 
 What means that ftormy Brow of troublous Teen ? 
 
 * Sith heav'n-born Peace^ with all her fmiiino; Train 
 
 of Sciences and Arts, adorns thy Reign 
 
 With Weakh and Knowledge, Splendour and Renown? 
 
 Each Port how throng'd ! how fruitful every Plain ! 
 
 How blithe the Country ! and how gay the Town ! 
 
 While Liberty feeures and heightens every Boon' ! 
 
 Lxxiir. 
 
 Awaken' d from her Trance of penllve Woe 
 By thefe fair flattering Words, flie rais'd her Head ; 
 And bending on the Knight her frowning Brow, 
 Mock'ft thou my Sorrows ? Fairy s So7t^ fhe faid,. 
 Or is thy Judgment by thy Heart mifled 
 To deem that certain, which thy Hopes fliggefl: ? 
 To deem them full of Life and f Luftihead, 
 Whofe Cheeks in Hebeh vivid Tints are drefl:, 
 And with "Joy^ carelefs Mien, and dimpled Smiles impreft?" 
 
 LXXIV. Thy 
 
 * ^ith., fince. '\ Liijlihead, ftrong Health, Vigour.
 
 [ 43 ] 
 LXXIV. 
 
 Thy unfufpedting Heart how nobly good 
 
 I know, how fanguine in thy Country's Caufc ! 
 
 And mark'd thy Virtue, fingle how it jflood 
 
 Th' Afiaults of mighty Custom, which o'er-awcs 
 
 The faint and tirnourous mind, and oft with-draws 
 
 From Reafon\ Lore th' ambitious and the vain, 
 
 By the fweet Lure of Popular Applaufe, 
 
 Againft their better Knowledge, to maintain 
 
 The lawlefs Throne of Vke^ or FoUy\ childifh Reign. 
 
 LXXV. 
 
 How vaft his Influence ! how wide his Sway ! 
 
 Thy felf ere-while by proof didft underftand : 
 
 And faw'ft, as through his Realms thou took'fl: thy Way, 
 
 How Vice and Folly had o'er-fpread the Land. / 
 
 And canft Thou then, O Fairy s Son^ demand 
 
 The Reafon of my Woe ? or hope to cafe 
 
 The Throbbings of my Heart with Speeches bland. 
 
 And Words more apt my Sorrows to increafc, rp p 
 
 The once- dear Names of Wealth-^ and Liberty^ and 
 
 F 2 LXXVLP-^/-.:,
 
 [ 44 ] 
 LXXVI. 
 
 Peace^ Wealthy and Liberty^ that noblefl Booii^ 
 
 Are Blciiings only to the Wife and GoocL 
 
 To weak and vicious Minds their Worth unknown 
 
 And thence abufed but ferve to furnifh Food 
 
 For Riot and Debauch, and fire the Blood 
 
 / With high-fpiced Luxury ; whence Strife, Debate, 
 
 Ambition, Envy, Faction's vip'rous Brood, 
 
 Contempt of Order, Manners profligate ; 
 
 The Symptoms of a foul, difeafed, and bloated State^ 
 
 LXXVII. 
 
 Ev'n Wit and Gejiius^ with their learned Train 
 
 Of Arts and Mufes, though from Heav'n above 
 
 Defcended, when their Talents they prophane 
 
 / To varnifli Folly, kindle wanton Love, 
 
 And aid excentrick Sceptick P7''icle to rove 
 
 Beyond Ccelefiial Truths attradive Sphere, 
 
 This Moral Syfiem\ Central Sun, aye prove 
 
 To their fond Votaries a Curfe fevere. 
 
 And only make Mankind more obftinately err. 
 
 LXXVIIL And 
 
 V
 
 •r 45 ] 
 
 LXXVIII. 
 
 And ftand my Sons herein from Cenfiire clear ? 
 Have They confider'd well, and underftood 
 The Ufe and Import of thofe BlefTmgs dear, 
 Which the great Lord of Nature hath beftow^d 
 As well to prove, as to reward the Good ? 
 Whence are thefe Torrents then, thefe billowy Seas 
 Of Vice, in which, as in his proper Flood, 
 The fell Leviathafi licentious plays. 
 
 And upon Ihip-wreck'd Faith, and linking Virtue preys ? 
 
 LXXIX. 
 To you, ye Noble, Opulent and Great ! 
 With friendly Voice I call, and honeft Zeal I 
 Upon your vital Influences wait 
 The Flealth and Sicknefs of the Common-weal j 
 The Maladies you caufe, yourfelves muft heal. 
 In vain to the unthinkino; harden'd Croud 
 Will Truth and Reafon make their juft Appeal ; 
 In vain will facred Wifdom cry aloud ; 
 
 And Jujiice drench in vain her vengeful Sword in Blood. 
 
 LXXX. WitU
 
 [ 46 '] 
 LXXX. 
 
 With You muft Reformation firft take place : 
 
 You are the Head, the Intelledual Mind 
 
 Of this vaft Body PoHtick ; whofe bale, 
 
 And vulgar Limbs, to Drudgery conlign'd, 
 
 All the rich ftores of Science have refign'd 
 
 r To You ; that, by the Craftfman's various Toil, 
 
 The fea-worn Mariner, and fweating Hind, 
 
 In Peace and Affluence maintain'd, the while 
 
 You, for Yourfelves and Them, may drefs the Mental Soil, 
 
 LXXXI. 
 Bethink you then, my Children, of the Truft 
 In you repos'd ; ne let your Heav'n-born Mind 
 Confume in Pleafure, or unaclive Ruft ; 
 But nobly rowfe you to the Tafk affign'd, 
 The Godlike Tafk to teach and mend Mankind : 
 Learn that ye may inftrud : to Virtue lead 
 Yourfelves the Way ; the Flerd will croud behind, 
 And gather Precepts from each worthy Deed : 
 
 " Example is a Lefibn, that all Men can read. 
 
 LXXXII. But
 
 [ 47 ] 
 LXXXII. 
 
 But if (to All or Moft I do not fpeak) 
 
 In vain and fenfual Habits now grown old, / 
 
 The ftrong Circcean Charm you cannot break^ 
 
 Nor re-ailiime at Will your native -f Mould, 
 
 Yet envy not the State, you could not hold • 
 
 And take Compaffion on the rifing Age : 
 
 In them redeem your Errours manifold ; 
 
 And, by due Difcipline and Nurture fage, 
 
 In Virtue's Lore betimes your docile Sons engage. 
 
 LXXXill. 
 
 You chiefly, v/ho like me in fecret mourn ^ 
 
 The Prevalence of Custom lewd and vain ; 
 
 And you, who, though by the rude Torrent borne 
 
 Unwillingly along you yield with Pain 
 
 To his Behefts, and ad: what you difdain, 
 
 Yet nourifh in your Hearts the gen'rous Love 
 
 Of Piety and Truth, no more reftrain 
 
 The manly Zeal ; but all your Sinews move 
 
 The prefent to reclaim, the future Race improve ! 
 
 LXXXIF. -Ek(oom 
 
 '\ Mould, Shape, Form,
 
 [ 48 ] 
 LXXXIV, 
 
 Eftfoons by your joint Efforts fKall be quell'd 
 Yon haughty Giant, who fo proudly fways 
 A Sceptre by Repute alone upheld; 
 Who where he cannot dictate ftrait obeys. 
 Accuftom'd to conform his flattering Fhrafe 
 To Numbers and high-plac'd Authority, 
 Your Party he will join, your Maxims praife, 
 And drawing after all his menial Fry, 
 
 Soon teach the general Voice your Adl to ratify. 
 
 LXXXV. 
 Ne for th' Atchievment of this great Emprize 
 The Want of Means or Counfel may ye dread. 
 From my Twin-Daughters fruitful Wombs fhall rife 
 A Race of letter'd Sages, deeply read 
 ■ In Learnings various Writ : by whom y-led 
 Through each well cultur'dPlot, each beauteous Grove, 
 Where antique Wifdom whilom wont to tread, 
 With mingled Glee and Profit may ye rove. 
 
 And cull each virtuous Plant, each Tree of Knowledge prove. 
 
 LXXXVI. Your-
 
 [ 49 ] 
 LXXXVI. 
 
 Yoiirfelves with Virtue thus and Knowledge fraught 
 
 Of what, in ancient Days of Good or Great 
 
 Hiftorians, Bards, Philofophers have taught ; ^^ 
 
 [oin'd with whatever clfe of modern Date 
 
 Maturer Judgment, Search more accurate 
 
 Difcover'd have of Nature, Man, and God, 
 
 May by new Laws reform the Time-worn State 
 
 Of cell-bred Difcipline, and fmoothe the Road f-"^ 
 
 That leads through Learning ^Ao. to WiJdom% bright Abode. 
 
 LXXXVII. 
 By you invited from her fecret Bow'rs 
 Then fhall P^edia reafcend her Throne 
 With vivid Laurels girt and fragrant Flow'rs ; 
 While from their Forked Mount defcending down 
 Yon fupercihous pedant Train fhall own 
 Her Empire paramount, ere long by Her 
 Y-taught a Leflbn in their Schools unknown, 
 " To Learnings richeft Treafures to prefer 
 ** The Knowledge of the Worlds and Man s greatBiiJinefsthere^ 
 
 G LXXXVIil. On
 
 [ 50 ] 
 LXXXVIII. 
 
 On this prime Science, as the Final End 
 Of all her Difciplinfe, and nurturing Care, 
 Her Eye P^dia fixing aye fhall bend 
 Her every Thought and Effort to prepare 
 Her tender Pupils for the various War, 
 Which Vice and Folly fhall upon them wage, 
 As on the perilous March of Life they fare 
 With prudent Lore fore-arming every Age 
 
 ^GainftP/^^r^'s treacherous Joy s,andP^/>2's embattledRage. 
 
 LXXXIX. 
 Then fhall my youthful Sons, to Wifdora led 
 By fair Example and ingenuous Praife, 
 With willing Feet the Paths of Duty tread ; 
 Through the World's intricate or rugged Ways 
 / Conduced by Religions facred Rays; 
 Whofe Soul-invigorating Influence 
 Shall purge their Minds from all impure Allays 
 Of fordid Selfifhnefs and brutal Senfe, 
 
 And fvvell th' ennobled Heart with bleft Benevolence. 
 
 XC. Then
 
 [ 51 1 
 XC. 
 
 Then alfo Hiall this Einblematick Pile^ ^ 
 
 By Magick whilom fram'cl to fympathizc 
 
 With all the Fortunes of this changeful ]llc^ 
 
 Still, as my Sons in Fame and Virtue rife, 
 
 Grow with their Growth, and to th' applauding Skies 
 
 Its radiant Crofs up-lift j the while, to grace 
 
 The multiplying niche s^ freOi Supplies- 
 
 Of Worthies fhall fucceed, with equal Pace 
 
 Aye following their Sires in Virtue's glorious Race, 
 
 XCI. 
 Fir'd with th' Idea of her future Fame 
 She rofe majeflick from her lowly fted ; 
 While from her vivid Eyes a fparkling Flame 
 Out-beaming, with unwonted Light o'erfpread 
 That monumental Pile , and as her Head 
 To every Front fhe turn'd, difcover'd round 
 The venerable Forms of Heroes dead ; 
 Who for their varions Merit erfl renown'd. 
 
 In this bright Fane of Glory Shrines of Honour found. 
 
 XCIT. On
 
 i 52 J 
 
 XCII. 
 
 On 'Thcfe that Royal Dame her ravifh'd Eyes 
 Would often feaft ; and ever as flie fpy'd 
 ^rth from the Ground the lengthning StruSiure rife 
 "With ?iew-placd Statues deck'd on every Side, 
 Her Parent- Bread would fwell with gen'rous Pride. 
 And How with her in that fequefter'd Plain, 
 The Knight a while conftraining to abide. 
 She to the Fairy Youth with Pleafure fain 
 T\\o{Q.fculpturd Chiefs did lhew,and their great Lives explain. ][ 
 
 -j- Great Lives explain.'] I cannot forbear taking occafion from thefe Words 
 to make my Acknowledgments to the Writers of Biographia Britamica, for the 
 Pleafure and Profit i have lately received from perufing the two firft Volumes 
 of that ufeful and entertaining Work, of which the monumental Stru^ure above 
 mentioned, decorated with the Statues of ^r^^,/ and gocd Men, is no improper 
 Emblem. This Work, which contains the Lives of the mcji eminent Per [on s, 
 ■who havefiouripcd in Great Britain and Ireland, from the earliefi Ages^ down to 
 . y the prefent 'Time, appears to me, as far as ic has hitherto gone, to be execut- 
 ^ ,ed with great 5/'/r/V, Accuracy., and Judgment ', and defer ves, in my Opinion, 
 to be en<:ouraged by all, who have at Heart the Honour of their Country, 
 nnd that of their particular Families and Friends ; and who can any ways af- 
 fill the ingenious and laborious Authors, to render ,s perfcd as poffible, a 
 DeCo-n fo apparently calculated to ferve the Publick, by fetting in the truefl 
 and fulleft L.ight the Charafters of Perfons already generally, tho' perhaps too 
 indiftindly knov^'n •, and reviving from Obfcurity and Oblivion, Examples of 
 private and retired Merit, Which, tho' lefs glaring and oftentatious than the 
 former, are not, however, of a lefs extenfive or lefs beneficial Influence. To 
 tiiufe, who may happen not to have feen this Rcpofitoiy of Britifh Glory, 'I 
 cannot.givc abetter Idea of it, than in the following Lines oiVirgil: 
 Hie manus ob Patriam pugnando viilnera paffi; 
 Sluiaue Sacerdotes cafti, dum Vita manebat ; 
 Sluiqiie pa Vates 6f PhcEbo digna locuti ; 
 Inventas aut i^^ti vitam excoluere/'(?r Artes j 
 f^ulque fui memores alios fecere merendo, Virg- ■'^ii- L. 6, 
 
 The E ND of the Fir .rr CANTO. 
 
 f. R RA TA. Stanza XII. L. (J. for Brabes, read Braiei. Stanza XXXV. L. 4.. for rife read rife. 
 
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