Page:The Art of Preserving Health - A Poem in Four Books.djvu/121

B. IV. And in the hardy camp and toilsome march Forget all softer and less manly cares.


 * But most too passive, when the blood runs low,

Too weakly indolent to strive with pain, And bravely by resisting conquer Fate, Try Circe's arts; and in the tempting bowl Of poison'd Nectar sweet oblivion drink. Struck by the powerful charm, the gloom dissolves In empty air; Elysium opens round. A pleasing phrenzy buoys the lighten'd soul, And sanguine hopes dispel your fleeting care; And what was difficult, and what was dire, Yields to your prowess and superior stars: The happiest you, of all that e'er were mad, Or are, or shall be, could this folly last. But soon your heaven is gone; a heavier gloom Rh