Page:An Essay on Man - Pope (1751).pdf/38

 Some livelier play-thing gives his youth delight, A little louder, but as empty quite: Scarfs, garters, gold, amuse his riper stage; And beads and pray'r-books are the toys of age: Pleas'd with this bauble still, as that before, 'Till tir'd he sleeps, and life's poor play is o'er! opinion gilds with varying rays Those painted clouds that beautify our days; Each want of happiness by hope supply'd, And each vacuity of sense by pride: These build as fast as knowledge can destroy; In folly's cup still laughs the bubble, joy; One prospect lost, another still we gain; And not a vanity is giv'n in vain; Ev'n mean self-love becomes, by force divine, The scale to measure other's wants by thine, See! and confess, one comfort still must rise, 'Tis this, tho' man's a fool, yet is wise.