That deed, which covers even Vice with shame,
While outraged Nature reddens at the name.
[How truly fair was bounteous Nature's plan!
How wisely suited to the state of man!

For him her hand had traced a flowery way;
Mild was her reign, and gentle was her sway:
But fury passions, owning no control,
Seized on her empire, and usurp'd the soul.
Then simple Nature charm'd mankind no more,
Her pleasures vanish'd, and her power was o'er :
Then, undistinguish'd, crowded on the view
The smiling forms her magic pencil drew :
Her hand then clothed the naked woods in vain,
Or threw the flowery mantle o'er the plain,

Gave form and order to the world below,

And show'd the source whence thought and being flow. Unmark'd we see succeeding seasons roll,

Revolving stars illume the glowing pole;

Unmark'd behold the glorious sun arise,

Tinging with purple light the orient skies;

Unmark'd the spring, on wings of zephyrs borne,

Hangs the wild rose upon the scented thorn;
Unmark'd the cluster bends the curling vine;
Unmark'd the tempest rocks the mountain pine.
All-powerful habit the enchantment breaks;
While wonder sleeps, attention scarcely wakes,
Each soft indulgence blunts the edge of joy ;
And every pleasure has, or finds alloy.

Vivitur hoc pacto: sic novimus. Ilia subter
Cæcum vulnus habes: sed lato balteus auro
Prætegit: ut mavis, da verba, et decipe nervos,
Si potes. Egregium cum me vicinia dicat,
Non credam? Viso si palles improbe nummo,
Si facis, in penem quicquid tibi venit amarum,
Si Puteal multa cautus vibice flagellas:
Nequicquam populo bibulas donaveris aures.
Respue quod non es: tollat sua munera cerdo :
Tecum habita: noris quam sit tibi curta supellex.

Unhappy man takes passion for his guide,
And sighs for bliss to sated sense denied ;
Untamed desires impel the vicious mind,
To God, to Virtue, and to Nature blind.]
But dost thou hope thy crimes shall rest unknown,
Hid by the splendour of thy golden zone?
Think not that rigid Virtue frames her laws
In vile compliance with a mob's applause.
If o'er his lusts the wretch cannot prevail,
But in the sordid search of wealth grows pale;
If to our scorn he can himself expose,
In drunken riot at the midnight shows;
Not all the splendour of a noble name
Shall hide the folly, or conceal the shame.
Look at thyself, examine well thy mind,
To pride, to sloth, to luxury, resign'd;
Vicious, yet weak, and arrogant, yet mean,
Retire, unequal to this troubled scene;
Live not of power the tyrant and the fool,
Nor scourge that empire which thou canst not rule."