IV.

But, O, the Laurel'd Fool! that doats on Fame,

Whose Hope's Applause, whose Fear's to want a Name;

Who can accept for Pay

Of what he does, what others say;

Exposes now to hostile Arms his Breast,

To toylsome Study then betrays his Rest;

Now to his Soul denies a just Content,

Then forces on it what it does resent;

And all for Praise of Fools: for such are those,

Which most of the Admiring Crowd compose.

O famisht Soul, which such Thin Food can feed!

O Wretched Labour crown'd with such a Meed!

Too loud, O Fame! thy Trumpet is, too shrill,

To lull a Mind to Rest,

Or calme a stormy Breast,

Which asks a Musick soft and still.

'Twas not _Amaleck_'s vanquisht Cry,

Nor _Israels_ shout of Victory,

That could in _Saul_ the rising Passion lay,

'Twas the soft strains of _David_'s Lyre the Evil Spirit chace't away.

Poems (1686) · 第 23 / 52 题