Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 18.djvu/412

398 Who, like hard masters, taught the sun Through many a needless sphere to run, Many an eccentrick and unthrifty motion make, And thousand incoherent journies take, Whilst all th' advantage by it got, Was but to light earth's inconsiderable spot. The herd beneath, who see the weathercock of state Hung loosely on the church's pinnacle, Believe it firm, because perhaps the day is mild and still; But when they find it turn with the first blast of fate, By gazing upward giddy grow, And think the church itself does so; Thus fools, for being strong and numerous known, Suppose the truth, like all the world, their own; And holy Sancroft's motion quite irregular appears, Because 'tis opposite to theirs.

In vain then would the Muse the multitude advise, Whose peevish knowledge thus perversely lies In gath'ring follies from the wise; Rather put on thy anger and thy spight, And some kind pow'r for once dispense Through the dark mass, the dawn of so much sense, To make them understand, and feel me when I I write; The Muse and I no more revenge desire, Each lie shall stab, shall blast, like daggers and like fire; Ah, Britain, land of angels! which of all thy sins, (So hapless isle, although It's a bloody list we know) Has given thee up a dwelling place to fiends? Sin