Page:Modern poets and poetry of Spain.djvu/98

52 Which the Parisian court on your return

Prepares, and offers you surprised to learn.

Polish'd emporium of Europe's courts,

The which with noble spectacles invites,

With public recreations and resorts,

That give to life its solace and delights;

Brilliant assemblages! and these among,

The chief and most acceptable to gain,

Of all to this new Athens that belong,

To enjoy the fellowship of learned men;

With useful science, or with taste alone,

Who enlighten foreign nations, and their own.

But I, who from this narrow corner write,

In solitude, while shaking off the dust

From military archives, ill recite

What I, O travelling Secretary! trust

Yourself will better practically see,

Whilst I can only know in theory.

Continue then your journey on in health;

From tongue to tongue, from land to land proceed:

To be a statesman eminent your meed.

Acquire each day with joy your stores of wealth,

Of merit and instruction; I the while,

As fits my mediocrity obscure,

Will sing the praise of quiet from turmoil;

Saying, as Seneca has said of yore;—