Page:An Essay on Man - Pope (1751).pdf/34

 A mightier pow'r the strong direction sends, And sev'ral men impels to sev'ral ends. Like varying winds, by other passions tost, This drives them constant to a certain coast. Let pow'r or knowledge, gold or glory, please, Or oft (more strong than all) the love of ease; Thro' life 'tis followed, ev'n at life's expence; The merchant's toil, the sage's indolence, The monk's humility, the hero's pride, All, all alike, find reason on their side. Th' eternal art educing good from ill, Grafts on this passion our best principle: 'Tis thus the mercury of man is fix'd, Strong grows the virtue with his nature mix'd; The dross cements what else were too refin'd, And in one int'rest body acts with mind. fruits, ungrateful to the planter's care, On savage stocks inserted learn to bear; The surest virtues thus from passions shoot, Wild nature's vigour working at the root. What crops of wit and honesty appear From spleen, from obstinacy, hate, or fear! See anger, zeal and fortitude supply; Ev'n av'rice, prudence, sloth, philosophy; Lust, thro' some certain strainers well refin'd, Is gentle love, and charms all womankind: Envy, to which th' ignoble mind's a slave, Is emulation in the learn'd or brave: