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Modern aristocracy

or the bard's reception; the fragment of a poem, written in March 1830

Brydges, Egerton (1762-1837)

[section]

Yellow Leaves.

MODERN ARISTOCRACY,

POETS AND MODERN POETRY.

STANZAS

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STANZAS

ON INDEPENDENCE.

[_]

Reprinted from Gnomica, 1824. 8o.

1

If the calm wisdom, which in sober age
Teaches the mazy paths of life to thread,
In youth were ours, we by a gradual stage
Should gently journey to our mortal bed!

2

False faith, false hopes, false pleasures lead us on;
Till deep entangled in delusion's net,
(The moment of escape forever gone,)
In lasting chains of ruin we are set!

3

For wild desires, which, when possess'd, bestow
Scarce a short moment of uncertain joy,
We pay long lingering years of certain woe,
Which patience cannot soothe, nor prayer destroy!

4

To catch the favour, that will never come;
To win the praise, that is an idle sound,
On others' wanton will we fix our doom;
And in the yoke of servitude are bound!

5

There is no bliss, but on ourselves depends;
There is no mercy in another's heart;
No anchor-ground in breasts of fickle friends;
No fountain, that will aid in need impart!

6

The feeblest power in hand, (which prudence heeds
Too lightly the most humble wish to fill,)
In true substantial value far exceeds
The chance of empires at another's will!
etc. etc.

See Southey's Letter to me of 16 June 1830.