Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 7.djvu/381

Rh 'Tis said, their course continued long; For this was active, that was strong: Till Envy, Slander, Sloth, and Doubt, Misled them many a league about. Seduc'd by some deceiving light, They take the wrong way for the right; Through slippery by-roads dark and deep, They often climb, and often creep. Desire, the swifter of the two, Along the plain like lightning flew: 'Till, entering on a broad highway, Where power and titles scatter’d lay, He strove to pick up all he found, And by excursions lost his ground: No sooner got, than with disdain He threw them on the ground again; And hasted forward to pursue Fresh objects fairer to his view; In hope to spring some nobler game; But all he took was just the same: Too scornful now to stop his pace, He spurn'd them in his rival's face. Possession kept the beaten road, And gather’d all his brother strow'd; But overcharg’d, and out of wind, Though strong in limbs, he lagg'd behind. Desire had now the goal in sight: It was a tower of monstrous height; Where on the summit Fortune stands, A crown and sceptre in her hands; Beneath a chasm as deep as Hell, Where many a bold adventurer fell. Desire in rapture gaz'd a while, And saw the treacherous goddess smile;. VII.