The Dance of Life A Poem, by the author of "Doctor Syntax;%" [i.e. William Combe] Illustrated with coloured engravings, by Thomas Rowlandson |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
 | CHAPTER IV. YOUTH. The Dance of Life |  |
One morning, when in sickly mood,
The languid Youth repentance woo'd,
The sage, grave man, before him stood.
Then took his seat, and thus address'd
The anxious feelings of his breast.
Tutor.
The languid Youth repentance woo'd,
The sage, grave man, before him stood.
Then took his seat, and thus address'd
The anxious feelings of his breast.
110
“That idle Youth, whom I have seen
“Skulking behind the shelt'ring screen,
“Let him come forth, the recreant base,
“And shew his sour, unblushing face.
“He's one of that mean, blust'ring crew
“Who wait upon, and laugh,—at You.
“What I've to say he must not hear
“With sniveling frown or silent sneer:
“I know him well.—'Tis my desire
“That he should instantly retire.
“Skulking behind the shelt'ring screen,
“Let him come forth, the recreant base,
“And shew his sour, unblushing face.
“He's one of that mean, blust'ring crew
“Who wait upon, and laugh,—at You.
“What I've to say he must not hear
“With sniveling frown or silent sneer:
“I know him well.—'Tis my desire
“That he should instantly retire.
“I seize the moment when the mind
“May to grave thoughts be more inclin'd;
“When langour o'er the body steals
“And a pale, sickly face reveals
“That o'ercharg'd Nature suffers pain
“And the blood lingers through the vein;
“When, for a while, the spirit's fled,
“Which, by intemperate folly fed,
“In its gorg'd state yields up its power
“And waits the renovating hour.
“Lost is the flow of ribbald wit
“Nerveless, in humbled guise you sit,
“While with dull thought and heavy eye,
“You to some casual page apply,
“To ease the mental lethargy.
“—'Tis at this moment I appear,
“When duty speaks and you must hear:
“'Tis at this moment I attend
“With the grave counsels of a friend:
“'Tis now, while in your present state,
“Your mind's compell'd to ruminate
“On what you must lamenting see,
“The fruits of senseless revelry;
“I come with warm but sober zeal
“To make you think—to make you feel,
“And fix, by words, with reason fraught,
“The lucid interval of thought;
“Which, when this transient evil's past,
“May, with its best impressions, last.
“May to grave thoughts be more inclin'd;
“When langour o'er the body steals
“And a pale, sickly face reveals
“That o'ercharg'd Nature suffers pain
“And the blood lingers through the vein;
“When, for a while, the spirit's fled,
“Which, by intemperate folly fed,
“In its gorg'd state yields up its power
“And waits the renovating hour.
111
“Nerveless, in humbled guise you sit,
“While with dull thought and heavy eye,
“You to some casual page apply,
“To ease the mental lethargy.
“—'Tis at this moment I appear,
“When duty speaks and you must hear:
“'Tis at this moment I attend
“With the grave counsels of a friend:
“'Tis now, while in your present state,
“Your mind's compell'd to ruminate
“On what you must lamenting see,
“The fruits of senseless revelry;
“I come with warm but sober zeal
“To make you think—to make you feel,
“And fix, by words, with reason fraught,
“The lucid interval of thought;
“Which, when this transient evil's past,
“May, with its best impressions, last.
“When I reluctant look around,
“What's in this Chamber to be found:
“What in each corner can I trace,
“As in its Owner's pallid face,
“But what his feelings must confess,
“Symbols of riotous excess,
“Of gay and frolic Idleness.
“—Those empty flasks, lay scatter'd o'er,
“And, with their heap, disgrace the floor;
“There's your disease—there Bacchus lies—
“The soul of your festivities;
“While on yon crouded board is seen;
“Where Pills and Phials intervene,
“Those Æsculapian, labell'd powers
“Which may revive your sicken'd hours.
“For Gods like these you quit the shrine
“Of Phœbus, and the Tuneful Nine:
“'Tis thus you sculk from Learning's ray
“To grovel through the sensual day;
“Hence you prefer the Tavern Bill
“To the pure Heliconian rill.
“—Those sacred Tomes which bear a name
“Seen on the brightest roll of Fame,
“Are left to moulder on the shelves,
“Huddled together by themselves;
“While, fearful that they should be seen,
“You veil them with that venal screen.
“What's in this Chamber to be found:
112
“As in its Owner's pallid face,
“But what his feelings must confess,
“Symbols of riotous excess,
“Of gay and frolic Idleness.
“—Those empty flasks, lay scatter'd o'er,
“And, with their heap, disgrace the floor;
“There's your disease—there Bacchus lies—
“The soul of your festivities;
“While on yon crouded board is seen;
“Where Pills and Phials intervene,
“Those Æsculapian, labell'd powers
“Which may revive your sicken'd hours.
“For Gods like these you quit the shrine
“Of Phœbus, and the Tuneful Nine:
“'Tis thus you sculk from Learning's ray
“To grovel through the sensual day;
“Hence you prefer the Tavern Bill
“To the pure Heliconian rill.
“—Those sacred Tomes which bear a name
“Seen on the brightest roll of Fame,
113
“Huddled together by themselves;
“While, fearful that they should be seen,
“You veil them with that venal screen.
“Your mind has been correctly taught,
“And with those seeds of virtue fraught,
“Which, though you check them in their growth,
“May still, in wiser hours branch forth,
“Throughout your life in vigour bloom,
“And form the splendour of your tomb.
“Such is my hope—and this my prayer,
“That you henceforward may forbear
“The gawdy dance where folly leads,
“The snares which foul Intemp'rance spreads;
“And, when you grieve for what is past,
“That penitence may be your last.
“—Shake off these Hangers-on, who quaff
“Your midnight bowls; and, as they laugh,
“Sneer at their Host, th'unconscious tool
“Of their ungrateful Ridicule.
“They jointly revel from your purse
“That pays for all;—but, what is worse,
“They gloss their vices with such art,
“So cunningly their thoughts impart,
“That though you do not praise their song,
“You scarce can think they're doing wrong.
“—Such is the error, the deceit,
“By which the heart itself doth cheat;
“And Solomon, who knew it well,
“Does in his solemn language tell,
“That 'tis a thing we cannot trust,
“Would we be wise, or good, or just.
“You'll say, perhaps, that you are young;
“But youthful habits may be wrong,
“And you have play'd the fool too long.
“—Seek Wisdom then, obey her calls,
“Which echo through these hallow'd walls:
“Give to those truths your list'ning powers,
“Which she unfolds in Learning's bowers.
“And with those seeds of virtue fraught,
“Which, though you check them in their growth,
“May still, in wiser hours branch forth,
“Throughout your life in vigour bloom,
“And form the splendour of your tomb.
“Such is my hope—and this my prayer,
“That you henceforward may forbear
“The gawdy dance where folly leads,
“The snares which foul Intemp'rance spreads;
“And, when you grieve for what is past,
“That penitence may be your last.
“—Shake off these Hangers-on, who quaff
“Your midnight bowls; and, as they laugh,
“Sneer at their Host, th'unconscious tool
“Of their ungrateful Ridicule.
114
“That pays for all;—but, what is worse,
“They gloss their vices with such art,
“So cunningly their thoughts impart,
“That though you do not praise their song,
“You scarce can think they're doing wrong.
“—Such is the error, the deceit,
“By which the heart itself doth cheat;
“And Solomon, who knew it well,
“Does in his solemn language tell,
“That 'tis a thing we cannot trust,
“Would we be wise, or good, or just.
“You'll say, perhaps, that you are young;
“But youthful habits may be wrong,
“And you have play'd the fool too long.
“—Seek Wisdom then, obey her calls,
“Which echo through these hallow'd walls:
“Give to those truths your list'ning powers,
“Which she unfolds in Learning's bowers.
“When you first wore a Student's gown,
“Your virtues we were proud to own,
“Nor thought to see you steer a course
“From good to bad—from bad to worse;
“Till, with ill-omen'd grief, I view
“The senseless conduct you pursue.
“Your virtues we were proud to own,
115
“From good to bad—from bad to worse;
“Till, with ill-omen'd grief, I view
“The senseless conduct you pursue.
“You know a parent's power I bear,
“Who gave you to my watchful care:
“While his cheeks felt the falling tear
“He nam'd me as his Proxy here;
“And warmly crav'd me to supply
“His full, transferr'd Authority.
“He might, in truth, I fear, complain
“That I've not held a tighten'd reign;
“That to false kindness I've resign'd
“Th'ungrateful impulse of your mind;
“That my fond care too long delay'd
“To call in rigour to its aid,
“And let you frisk in Folly's bower,
“Nor check'd you by the arm of power.
“—With you I've ever thrown aside
“Each symptom of Collegiate Pride,
“Nor wore the solemn face that awes
“Ingenuous youth to view the laws
“Which wisdom fram'd in terms severe,
“With mild and venerating fear.
“Has not my calm remonstrance strove
“To wake your gratitude and love?
“Have I not interpos'd to spare
“Those censures you deserv'd to bear?
“Nay, have I not preserv'd your name
“From the due meed of public shame?
“How oft have you the promise given,
“And call'd on all the powers in Heaven
“To witness, in repentant strain,
“That you would ne'er offend again!
“And yet your follies are renew'd,
“The same vile track has been pursu'd
“That calls on Duty to repress
“Such scenes of noisy Idleness.
“Who gave you to my watchful care:
“While his cheeks felt the falling tear
“He nam'd me as his Proxy here;
“And warmly crav'd me to supply
“His full, transferr'd Authority.
“He might, in truth, I fear, complain
“That I've not held a tighten'd reign;
“That to false kindness I've resign'd
“Th'ungrateful impulse of your mind;
“That my fond care too long delay'd
“To call in rigour to its aid,
“And let you frisk in Folly's bower,
“Nor check'd you by the arm of power.
“—With you I've ever thrown aside
“Each symptom of Collegiate Pride,
116
“Ingenuous youth to view the laws
“Which wisdom fram'd in terms severe,
“With mild and venerating fear.
“Has not my calm remonstrance strove
“To wake your gratitude and love?
“Have I not interpos'd to spare
“Those censures you deserv'd to bear?
“Nay, have I not preserv'd your name
“From the due meed of public shame?
“How oft have you the promise given,
“And call'd on all the powers in Heaven
“To witness, in repentant strain,
“That you would ne'er offend again!
“And yet your follies are renew'd,
“The same vile track has been pursu'd
“That calls on Duty to repress
“Such scenes of noisy Idleness.
“I to this moment have believ'd,
“And still I hope I'm not deceiv'd,
“That you retain, 'mid Folly's brood,
“Some sense at least of what is good:
“That all the fruits of so much care
“As did your early mind prepare;
“Though in the gusts of Passion tost,
“And for a time in Folly lost,
“Will, in Reflection's serious hour,
“Resume their renovated power:
“And now, I trust, that hour appears,
“Which will suspend my anxious fears,
“And my fond, pleasing hopes restore;—
“When you will play the fool no more.
“O strive this moment to controul
“The sickly tumults of your soul:
“From your past habitudes refrain,
“Arouse, and be yourself again:
“Be what you were when all approv'd—
“When all who knew you prais'd and lov'd.
“Horace I oft have heard you praise;
“Think, then, on what that Poet says.
“—A fugitive from Heaven and prayer,
“You've mock'd at all religious fear;
“Of wise Associates bereft,
“You liv'd to sense alone, but now
“Hoist sail, and back your voyage plow:
“To the blest Harbour which you left .
“And still I hope I'm not deceiv'd,
117
“Some sense at least of what is good:
“That all the fruits of so much care
“As did your early mind prepare;
“Though in the gusts of Passion tost,
“And for a time in Folly lost,
“Will, in Reflection's serious hour,
“Resume their renovated power:
“And now, I trust, that hour appears,
“Which will suspend my anxious fears,
“And my fond, pleasing hopes restore;—
“When you will play the fool no more.
“O strive this moment to controul
“The sickly tumults of your soul:
“From your past habitudes refrain,
“Arouse, and be yourself again:
“Be what you were when all approv'd—
“When all who knew you prais'd and lov'd.
“Horace I oft have heard you praise;
“Think, then, on what that Poet says.
“—A fugitive from Heaven and prayer,
“You've mock'd at all religious fear;
118
“You liv'd to sense alone, but now
“Hoist sail, and back your voyage plow:
“To the blest Harbour which you left .
“No harsh, pedantic Censor I,
“To preach up gloomy Sanctity;
“Youth's lively season claims its pleasure,
“But just in mode and wise in measure,
“Whose hours, by Virtue's smiles refin'd,
“Leave no regrets or pain behind.
“Court the gay Muse to whom belong
“The chasten'd jest, the pleasing song;
“But would you nobler thoughts inspire,
“The Masters of the Grecian Lyre,
“Or Latian Bards, by Phœbus taught,
“Will please and elevate the thought.
“Nor ask their powerful aid alone;—
“Join those we proudly call our own:
“Immortal Shakespeare—Milton's rhyme,
“That soars beyond the bounds of Time;
“With Dryden, in whose verse we trace
“A blended energy and grace;
“And Pope, whose sweet harmonious lays
“The mind delights in, and obeys;
“With Gray, in Elegiac pride,
“And the free verse of Akenside.
“—These, as they charm, with taste refin'd
“Will decorate the expanding mind;
“And thus a secret grace convey
“To all you do, and all you say;
“Smooth the dull brow of wrinkling care,
“And chase the thought that may ensnare.
“—Nor these alone, th'historic page,
“Of ev'ry race, of every age,
“Displays the long and various story:
“Heroes that liv'd or died in glory,
“Patriots, who their country sav'd,
“Tyrants, who mankind enslav'd,
“Sages, whose high-gifted powers
“That knowledge taught which now is ours,
“The Pictures form of human kind,
“Of every feeling of the mind,
“As in social man we see,
“Or the wide range of Policy;—
“Hence they a sage experience give,
“E'en to the times in which we live;
“And frame a Lesson to supply
“The Ages of Posterity.
“—With these Instructors may be join'd
“To strengthen and enrich the mind,
“Science, whose powers profound impart,
“Whate'er of nature and of art
“Presents to th'intellectual eye,
“In all the vast variety:
“While Philosophic Lore combines
“The various Labour, and confines
“In their due regulated sphere
“The essential parts of Character;
“And, as the Mistress of the Soul,
“Let mild Religion crown the whole:—
“That power, which commands the thought
“To think the very thing we ought;
“And holds up to our solemn view
“What we should shun, and what pursue.
“—O let not Sloth depress to earth
“Those early blossoms in their birth,
“Which to your ripening mind is given,
“To bloom through time, then rise to heaven!
“Awake your nature and expand
“Its powers; with attentive hand
“Prune its Luxuriance; and prepare
“Each branch the expected Fruit to bear.
“But think not in your jovial hours,
“When Riot rules and Reason lours,
“That time is actively employ'd:
“'Tis then, I say, that Time's destroy'd,
“At least, e'en Truth itself may say,
“'Tis wasted, squander'd, thrown away:
“For Folly's vigour and excess
“Is nought but active Idleness.
“To preach up gloomy Sanctity;
“Youth's lively season claims its pleasure,
“But just in mode and wise in measure,
“Whose hours, by Virtue's smiles refin'd,
“Leave no regrets or pain behind.
“Court the gay Muse to whom belong
“The chasten'd jest, the pleasing song;
“But would you nobler thoughts inspire,
“The Masters of the Grecian Lyre,
“Or Latian Bards, by Phœbus taught,
“Will please and elevate the thought.
119
“Join those we proudly call our own:
“Immortal Shakespeare—Milton's rhyme,
“That soars beyond the bounds of Time;
“With Dryden, in whose verse we trace
“A blended energy and grace;
“And Pope, whose sweet harmonious lays
“The mind delights in, and obeys;
“With Gray, in Elegiac pride,
“And the free verse of Akenside.
“—These, as they charm, with taste refin'd
“Will decorate the expanding mind;
“And thus a secret grace convey
“To all you do, and all you say;
“Smooth the dull brow of wrinkling care,
“And chase the thought that may ensnare.
“—Nor these alone, th'historic page,
“Of ev'ry race, of every age,
“Displays the long and various story:
“Heroes that liv'd or died in glory,
“Patriots, who their country sav'd,
“Tyrants, who mankind enslav'd,
120
“That knowledge taught which now is ours,
“The Pictures form of human kind,
“Of every feeling of the mind,
“As in social man we see,
“Or the wide range of Policy;—
“Hence they a sage experience give,
“E'en to the times in which we live;
“And frame a Lesson to supply
“The Ages of Posterity.
“—With these Instructors may be join'd
“To strengthen and enrich the mind,
“Science, whose powers profound impart,
“Whate'er of nature and of art
“Presents to th'intellectual eye,
“In all the vast variety:
“While Philosophic Lore combines
“The various Labour, and confines
“In their due regulated sphere
“The essential parts of Character;
“And, as the Mistress of the Soul,
“Let mild Religion crown the whole:—
121
“To think the very thing we ought;
“And holds up to our solemn view
“What we should shun, and what pursue.
“—O let not Sloth depress to earth
“Those early blossoms in their birth,
“Which to your ripening mind is given,
“To bloom through time, then rise to heaven!
“Awake your nature and expand
“Its powers; with attentive hand
“Prune its Luxuriance; and prepare
“Each branch the expected Fruit to bear.
“But think not in your jovial hours,
“When Riot rules and Reason lours,
“That time is actively employ'd:
“'Tis then, I say, that Time's destroy'd,
“At least, e'en Truth itself may say,
“'Tis wasted, squander'd, thrown away:
“For Folly's vigour and excess
“Is nought but active Idleness.
122
“O let not Alma Mater grieve,
“That when her sacred walls you leave,
“The presage sad of ill to come
“Will follow to your native home.
“Let not each reverend Sage rejoice
“He hears no more your clam'rous voice,
“And that a bad example's fled,
“With all its mischief on its head.
“—It is from hence, that to the world
“Learning's rich standard is unfurl'd,
“Which those emblazon'd types displays
“That call on Wisdom's eye to gaze.
“'Tis from this favour'd seat she darts
“Those beams which light the youthful hearts,
“And form, on Truth's propitious plan,
“The virtues of the future man.
“—Forsake then, these untoward ways,
“And once again your virtues raise
“To Alma Mater's honour'd praise;
“That, when you are to manhood grown,
“She may rejoice her Son to own.
“That when her sacred walls you leave,
“The presage sad of ill to come
“Will follow to your native home.
“Let not each reverend Sage rejoice
“He hears no more your clam'rous voice,
“And that a bad example's fled,
“With all its mischief on its head.
“—It is from hence, that to the world
“Learning's rich standard is unfurl'd,
“Which those emblazon'd types displays
“That call on Wisdom's eye to gaze.
“'Tis from this favour'd seat she darts
“Those beams which light the youthful hearts,
“And form, on Truth's propitious plan,
“The virtues of the future man.
“—Forsake then, these untoward ways,
“And once again your virtues raise
“To Alma Mater's honour'd praise;
“That, when you are to manhood grown,
“She may rejoice her Son to own.
123
“Fear not the mockery of those,
“Who may with sneers your change expose:
“Employ the wit and lively vein,
“Which oft have gladden'd Folly's train,
“To vindicate the better cause
“Of Reason and her sober Laws.—
“I do not wish you to assume
“Looks darken'd by fanatic gloom:
“Rebuke their taunts who would beguile,
“With gentle words and winning smile;
“And prove, that to be blithe and gay
“Youth is not call'd to go astray.
“Reform then all your Follies past,
“For know, these Counsels are my last:
“But, e'er my warnings I conclude,
“Let me be clearly understood.
“—Were I to rigid Duty just,
“I now should yield my solemn trust:
“What I've long known, and what I see,
“Might ask for that severity.
“But still I've seen a generous heart
“In all your follies bear a part.
“E'en when our mandates you've assail'd,
“No low-bred habits have prevail'd:
“Thus, though with much foreboding fear,
“My anxious hopes still persevere:—
“Nay, while I view thee in thy chair
“And see thee sit and suffer there,
“I think Reflection, back'd by pain,
“May bring thee to thyself again.
“But, Sir, if these my Counsels fail,
“If your wild errors still prevail,
“I must, in sorrow and despair,
“Return you to a Father's care:
“To him my power I shall resign,
“Which, then, shall never more be mine.”
“Who may with sneers your change expose:
“Employ the wit and lively vein,
“Which oft have gladden'd Folly's train,
“To vindicate the better cause
“Of Reason and her sober Laws.—
“I do not wish you to assume
“Looks darken'd by fanatic gloom:
“Rebuke their taunts who would beguile,
“With gentle words and winning smile;
“And prove, that to be blithe and gay
“Youth is not call'd to go astray.
“Reform then all your Follies past,
“For know, these Counsels are my last:
“But, e'er my warnings I conclude,
“Let me be clearly understood.
“—Were I to rigid Duty just,
“I now should yield my solemn trust:
“What I've long known, and what I see,
“Might ask for that severity.
“But still I've seen a generous heart
“In all your follies bear a part.
124
“No low-bred habits have prevail'd:
“Thus, though with much foreboding fear,
“My anxious hopes still persevere:—
“Nay, while I view thee in thy chair
“And see thee sit and suffer there,
“I think Reflection, back'd by pain,
“May bring thee to thyself again.
“But, Sir, if these my Counsels fail,
“If your wild errors still prevail,
“I must, in sorrow and despair,
“Return you to a Father's care:
“To him my power I shall resign,
“Which, then, shall never more be mine.”
| CHAPTER IV. YOUTH. The Dance of Life | |