Stones from The Quarry | ||
THE GOLDEN MEAN.
He wise is who being rich can be as poorNot poor in spirit, but, with wise desires,
No more than genial Nature asks requires;
Who for her unbought grace would love and woo her,
Not outward tricks and toys, and gilded lure.
She kindles, then, pure virgin! holy fires;
And temperate loves, not hasty flames inspires;
And bears true issue, pleasures that endure.
Therefore he waves aside the harlotry,
The Sirens would enchain him; stops his ears:
No Lotus-eater he! Humanity
Doth call him; and, so long as toils and tears
Are human, on base down he will not lie,
Nor bask in Fortune's smiles or Pleasure's leers.
Stones from The Quarry | ||