 | Poems on several grave and important subjects (1719) |  |
To FORTUNE.
I
Capricious Fortune, play thy Game;Assault my Mind, my State and Fame,
Or strive to raise my Circumstances high:
In spite of thee I'll rest secure,
Despite thy Bounty, scorn thy Pow'r,
While wrap'd in Virtue unconcern'd I lie.
II
If Thou shalt seek my humble Seat,And shed thy Treasure at my Feet,
103
Yet never trust thy fickle Hand,
Or reckon I unmoved stand,
Upon a Throne that's rear'd by such as you.
III
If humorous, Thou take awayThe Gifts bestow'd the former Day,
I can with ease thy glitt'ring Toys resign.
Why should I feel an inward Pain,
When I return thy own again?
Virtue's sufficient Store, and that's not thine.
IV
Thou hast of late my Virtue prov'd,By taking from me what I lov'd;
A Friend and Brother, dearer far than Life.
Perhaps at such a Stroke thou smil'd,
And joy'd to see my Virtues yield;
But now I'll shew thee a more generous Strife.
104
V
Altho' thy Darts without be thrown,And hurt me too, I'll gain Renown
By ruling well the Passions of my Soul:
When all within is calm and clear,
In vain thou tries to be severe.
Philosophy 's a Guard you can't controul.
| Poems on several grave and important subjects (1719) | |