Lyric Poems Made in Imitation of the Italians. Of which, many are Translations From other Languages ... By Philip Ayres |
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Metrodorus the Athenian Philosopher,
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 | Lyric Poems |  |
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Metrodorus the Athenian Philosopher,
Of the Blessings attending Mankind.
Contradicting the former.
Happy Mankind! For where we six to live,
The Gods a Blessing to that Station give;
If at the Bar it be our Lot to plead,
There Wisdom reigns, and there is Justice weigh'd;
The Gods a Blessing to that Station give;
If at the Bar it be our Lot to plead,
There Wisdom reigns, and there is Justice weigh'd;
Or if at home we would our selves maintain,
We there by Industry may Riches gain,
Of Nature's Bounty, Fields the Prospect show;
From Sea the Merchant knows his Treasures flow;
We there by Industry may Riches gain,
Of Nature's Bounty, Fields the Prospect show;
From Sea the Merchant knows his Treasures flow;
Who travels rich, with Honour does appear;
Who has least Wealth, hath still the less of fear;
If married, thou may'st rule as Lord at home;
If single, hast the Liberty to roam;
Who has least Wealth, hath still the less of fear;
If married, thou may'st rule as Lord at home;
If single, hast the Liberty to roam;
Children, the Comfort of our Lives procure;
If none, we are from thousand Cares secure;
To Exercise, and Sports, is Youth inclin'd;
Old Age does ever Veneration find:
If none, we are from thousand Cares secure;
To Exercise, and Sports, is Youth inclin'd;
Old Age does ever Veneration find:
So we may those Imprudent Fools deride,
That wish they'd ne'er been born: or soon as born had di'd.
That wish they'd ne'er been born: or soon as born had di'd.
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