Page:The Poetical Works of Thomas Parnell (1833).djvu/210

82 So for the rest, with less incumbrance hung, You walk through life, unmingled with the young; And view the shade and substance, as you pass, With joint endeavour trifling at the glass, Or Folly drest, and rambling all her days, To meet her counterpart, and grow by praise: Yet still sedate yourself, and gravely plain, You neither fret, nor envy at the vain.

'Twas thus, if man with woman we compare, The wise Athenian cross'd a glittering fair. Unmov'd by tongues and sights, he walk'd the place, Through tape, toys, tinsel, gimp, perfume, and lace: Then bends from Mars's hill his awful eyes, And—'What a world I never want!' he cries; But cries unheard; for Folly will be free. So parts the buzzing gaudy crowd, and he: As careless he for them, as they for him; He wrapt in wisdom, and they whirl'd by whim.