 | Miscellanies in Prose and Verse |  |
37
To MARCUS.
Unhappy those whom fame and pow'r
To hazard and to toil impell,
Whose cares pollute the social hour,
Who trembling stand where others fell.
To hazard and to toil impell,
Whose cares pollute the social hour,
Who trembling stand where others fell.
Inconstant fortune in a day,
May change the monarch to the slave;
Or though he pass a pleasant way,
'Tis still a passage to the grave.
May change the monarch to the slave;
Or though he pass a pleasant way,
'Tis still a passage to the grave.
Rely not then on fortune's smiles,
Nor place thy hopes in tow'rs of air;
The goddess full of wanton wiles,
Derides the schemes of human care.
Nor place thy hopes in tow'rs of air;
The goddess full of wanton wiles,
Derides the schemes of human care.
If thou pursue the call of fame,
Let virtue lead the dangerous way;
'Tis goodness makes a noble name,
The praise of worth shall ne'er decay.
Let virtue lead the dangerous way;
'Tis goodness makes a noble name,
The praise of worth shall ne'er decay.
| Miscellanies in Prose and Verse | |