Page:Poems of Nature and Life.djvu/342

 332 CONSOLATIONS OF SOLITUDE

As thou from prowling thief neecl'st ne'er conceal, Nor moth, nor rust, nor Time himself shall steal.

Next, be thou cheerful, nor let sullen eyes Scatter black clouds to darken all life's joy ;

The proud, the envious, and the seeming-wise. By frowns their own and others' peace destroy.

But cherish Hope, of placid Temperance born.

Who reins life's sun within a lingering morn.

Next, be humane, and with no evil eye

Look on thy fellows ; hatred's glance can chill

The warmest sunbeam of life's morning sky ; While love care's darkest day with light can fill.

And 'gainst the night of age make sure defence

With the soft moonlight of benevolence.

Nor ever wander far from Reason's side,

But walk with Truth as with a bosom friend ;

With these and Love divine thy life divide. And wait ii;i blest tranquillity thine end,

Not hurried madly on by passion's blast.

But warmed with virtue's sunshine to the last.

So mayst thou live undazzled by the light Of vain delusion ; Fancy near shall stand

But as thy handmaid, ever in thy sight

To wait and serve thee, never to command.

Thus shalt thou quite surmount men's foolish fears,

Lord of thy pleasures, passions, smiles, and tears.

In short, be perfect ; for the race of men Shall ne'er o'ermaster evil till that day

When God it copies ! 'Twill discover then, No tyrant's will hath forced it to obey.

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