University of Virginia Library

OF SOLITUDE.

[Dear to the Gods Ambrosia prov'd]

Dear to the Gods Ambrosia prov'd,
As dear are Books where they're belov'd;
They're still the Mind's delicious Treat,
Its healthful, most substantial Meat;
The Soul's ennobling, sprightly Wine,
Like Nectar sweet, and as Divine:
Castalian Springs did ne'er produce
A richer, more spirituous Juice.
When by't inspir'd, we fearless rise,
And, like the Giants, brave the Skies.
Pelion on Ossa boldly lay,
From thence both Earth and Sea survey:
On them the huge Olympus throw,
Then to the tow'ring Summet go,
Thence take a View of Worlds on High,
From Orb to Orb with Pleasure fly;
Still upward soar, until the Mind
Effects do's in their Causes find,
And them pursue till they unite
In the bless'd Source of Truth and Light.

[Where new and brighter Objects I shall see]

Where new and brighter Objects I shall see,
Objects which with my intellectual Sight agree:
Find Wonders greater than these here below,
And what I see shall with Exactness know:
Shall then no more be to my self confin'd,
But live with Crouds of Spirits ever kind,
Cœlestial Forms from every Passion free,
But Love, blest Bond of their Society;
That sacred Bond, which do's their Hearts unite,
Do's them to Friendship's pleasing Sweets invite,
To Sweets which we can never here possess,
To Joys which only separate Souls can bless;
When freed from Earth, and all its base Alloy,
They taste such Pleasures as shall never cloy;
Pleasures, whose Gust is much too high for Sense,
Too strong, too pure, too lasting, too intense;
Joys to exalted Reason only known,
Of which not here the smallest Glimpse is shown:
What we call Friendship does from Interest rise,
'Tis mean, 'tis vile, 'tis what the Good despise;
Is but a Trade, a Trafficking for Gain.
How few are they who little Tricks disdain,
Scorn wheedling Arts, and uncorrupted Truth maintain?
But those Above, those wise, those spotless Minds,
Are still sincere, it there the noblest welcome finds,
Love reigns supreme, and its diffusive Fire,
Warms every Breast, do's every Heart inspire;
Its Flames still rise, till that dear happy Day,
When Heav'nly Glories all their Pomp display;
When new Delights shall bless their wond'ring Eyes,
And they in shining Bodies mount the Skies,
Shall meet their God in Extasies Divine,
And to his Love each meaner Bliss resign.