Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/466

424 Let every book that suits your theme be read,

So shall you trace it to the fountain-head.

He who has learned the duty which he owes

To friends and country, and to pardon foes;

Who models his deportment as may best

Accord with Brother, Sire, or Stranger-guest;

Who takes our Laws and Worship as they are,

Nor roars reform for Senate, Church, and Bar;

In practice, rather than loud precept, wise,

Bids not his tongue, but heart, philosophize:

Such is the man the Poet should rehearse,

As joint exemplar of his life and verse.

Sometimes a sprightly wit, and tale well told,

Without much grace, or weight, or art, will hold

A longer empire o'er the public mind

Than sounding trifles, empty, though refined.

Unhappy Greece! thy sons of ancient days

The Muse may celebrate with perfect praise,

Whose generous children narrowed not their hearts

With Commerce, given alone to Arms and Arts.

Our boys (save those whom public schools compel

To "Long and Short" before they're taught to spell)

From frugal fathers soon imbibe by rote,

"A penny saved, my lad, 's a penny got."