 | The Works of Thomas Love Peacock |  |
157
ANSWER TO THE QUESTION “Is History or Biography the more improving Study?”
With bright examples the young mind to fire,
And Emulation's gen'rous flame inspire,
Biography her modest page displays,
And follows one alone thro' life's uncertain ways.
'Tis hers, alike, with faithful pen t' impart
The virtues, or the failings, of his heart;
She tells of all the talents he possesst,
She makes us Virtue love, or Vice detest;
She makes our hearts espouse the former's cause,
And 'twixt the two a glowing contrast draws.
Thus does Biography: but Hist'ry too
Oft holds out bright examples to the view,
And to abhorrence oft, in colours bright,
Brings Vice's black deformity to light.
But more than this: Time's wasting hand she braves,
And former days from dark Oblivion saves;
She can recal full many a long past age,
Can fill with great events th' instructive page;
Can “deeds of days of other years” unfold,
And tell the actions of “the times of old”;
Can make, in pleasing characters, appear,
What now we are, and our forefathers were.
And Emulation's gen'rous flame inspire,
Biography her modest page displays,
And follows one alone thro' life's uncertain ways.
'Tis hers, alike, with faithful pen t' impart
The virtues, or the failings, of his heart;
She tells of all the talents he possesst,
She makes us Virtue love, or Vice detest;
She makes our hearts espouse the former's cause,
And 'twixt the two a glowing contrast draws.
Thus does Biography: but Hist'ry too
Oft holds out bright examples to the view,
And to abhorrence oft, in colours bright,
Brings Vice's black deformity to light.
But more than this: Time's wasting hand she braves,
And former days from dark Oblivion saves;
She can recal full many a long past age,
Can fill with great events th' instructive page;
Can “deeds of days of other years” unfold,
And tell the actions of “the times of old”;
Can make, in pleasing characters, appear,
What now we are, and our forefathers were.
She oft, in glowing accents, tells how War
“Yokes the red dragons of his iron car,”
When, with his train of mis'ries at his hand,
He comes to waste and desolate the land,
Then, as she shifts the gloomy scene with ease,
She tells the blessings of returning Peace.
“Yokes the red dragons of his iron car,”
158
He comes to waste and desolate the land,
Then, as she shifts the gloomy scene with ease,
She tells the blessings of returning Peace.
Without her aid, how many a mighty name
Would now be totally unknown to Fame!
E'en Philip's son, who once so bravely fought,
The Prince of Vict'ries, would be quite forgot!
Titus' good deeds were in Oblivion thrown,
And Cæsar's great ones now no longer known!
Would now be totally unknown to Fame!
E'en Philip's son, who once so bravely fought,
The Prince of Vict'ries, would be quite forgot!
Titus' good deeds were in Oblivion thrown,
And Cæsar's great ones now no longer known!
Hail then to thee, fair Hist'ry! 'tis for thee
To wear the golden crown of Victory!
Like as the morning star, with humble ray,
Throws a faint glimmer at the dawn of day,
Soon as the sun begins his beams to shed,
He shrinks away to nought, and hides his head:
'Tis thus Biography, whose humble pace
Pursues one only through life's eager race;
Before bright Hist'ry's open, daring ray,
She dwindles into nought, and shrinks away!
Hail then to thee, fair Hist'ry! 'tis for thee
To wear the golden crown of Victory!
To wear the golden crown of Victory!
Like as the morning star, with humble ray,
Throws a faint glimmer at the dawn of day,
Soon as the sun begins his beams to shed,
He shrinks away to nought, and hides his head:
'Tis thus Biography, whose humble pace
Pursues one only through life's eager race;
Before bright Hist'ry's open, daring ray,
She dwindles into nought, and shrinks away!
Hail then to thee, fair Hist'ry! 'tis for thee
To wear the golden crown of Victory!
| The Works of Thomas Love Peacock | |