Page:The Pleasures of Imagination - Akenside (1744).djvu/89

Rh Of pomp and pow'r. Be prudent in your zeal, Ye grave associates! let the silent grace Of her who blushes at the fond regard Her charms inspire, more eloquent unfold The praise of spotless honour: let the man Whose eye regards not his illustrious pomp And ample store, but as indulgent streams To chear the barren soil and spread the fruits Of joy, let him by juster measures fix The price of riches and the end of pow'r.


 * Another tribe succeeds; deluded long

By fancy's dazzling optics, these behold The images of some peculiar things With brighter hues resplendent, and portray'd With features nobler far than e'er adorn'd Their genuine objects. Hence the fever'd heart Pants with delirious hope for tinsel charms; Hence oft obtrusive on the eye of scorn, Untimely zeal her witless pride betrays; And serious manhood from the tow'ring aim Of wisdom, stoops to emulate the boast Of childish toil. Behold yon mystic form, Bedeck'd with feathers, insects, weeds and shells! Not with intenser brow the Samian sage Rh