Page:Modern poets and poetry of Spain.djvu/97

Rh The rapid fortune too you will admire

Which eloquence and valour there acquire;

Nor power to rob has wealth or noble birth

The premiums due to learning and to worth.

You will observe the hive-like multitude

Of diligent and able islanders,

Masters of commerce they have well pursued,

Which ne'er to want or slothfulness defers;

All in inventions useful occupied,

In manufactures, roads, schools, arsenals,

Experiments in books and hospitals,

And studies of the liberal arts to guide.

There you will know in fine what may attain

An education wise; the skilful mode

Of patriotic teaching, so to train

Private ambition, that it seek the road

Of public benefit alone to gain:

The recompense and acceptation just,

On which founds learning all its hope and trust;

And a wise government, whose constant aim

Is general good, and an eternal fame.

Midst others my reflections I would fain,

In some description worthy of the theme,

(If it were not beyond my powers) explain,

The varied scenes, enchantment all that seem,