University of Virginia Library

There is no Kind of a fragmental Note
That pleases better than an Anecdote
Or Fact unpublish'd, when it comes to rise,
And give the more agreeable Surprise.
From long Oblivion sav'd, an useful Hint
Is doubly grateful, when reviv'd in Print.
A late and striking Instance of this Kind
Delighted many an attentive Mind;
This Anecdote my Task is to rehearse,
As highly fit to be consign'd to Verse.

There liv'd a Bishop, once upon a Time,—
Where, is not said, but Italy the Clime,—
An honest, pious Man, who understood
How to behave as a true Bishop should;
But thro' an Opposition, form'd to blast
His good Designs by Men of diff'rent Cast,
He had some tedious Struggles and a Train
Of rude Affronts and Insults to sustain,—
And did sustain; with calm, unruffled Mind
He bore them all, and never once repin'd.
An intimate Acquaintance, one who knew
What Difficulties he had waded thro'
Time after Time, and very much admir'd
A Patience so provok'd and so untir'd,
Made bold to ask him, if he could impart
Or teach the Secret of his happy Art.
“Yes,” said the good old Prelate, “that I can;
And 'tis a plain and practicable Plan.
For all the Secret that I know of, lies
In making a right Use of my own Eyes.”
Begg'd to explain himself, how that should be,
“Why, in whatever State I am,” said he,
“I first look up to Heav'n, as well aware,
That to get thither is my main Affair.
I then look down upon the Earth and think,
In a short space of Time how small a Chink
I shall possess of its extensive Ground;
And then I cast my seeing Eyes around,
Where more Distress appears on ev'ry Side
Amongst Mankind than I myself abide.
So that, reflecting on my own Concern,
First,—where true Happiness is plac'd, I learn;
Next,—let the World to what it will pretend,
I see where all its Good and Ill must end;
Last,—how unjust it is, as well as vain,
Upon a fair Discernment, to complain.
Thus, looking up and down and round about,
Right use of Eyes may find my Secret out:
‘With Heav'n in view,—his real Home, in fine,—
Nothing on Earth should make a Man repine.’”