Page:The poetical works of William Cowper (IA poeticalworksof00cowp).pdf/156

72 The squire once bashful is shamefaced no more, But teems with powers he never felt before: Whether encreased momentum, and the force With which from clime to clime he sped his course, As axles sometimes kindle as they go, Chafed him and brought dull nature to a glow; Or whether clearer skies and softer air That make Italian flow'rs so sweet and fair, Fresh'ning his lazy spirits as he ran, Unfolded genially and spread the man, Returning he proclaims by many a grace, By shrugs and strange contortions of his face, How much a dunce that has been sent to roam, Excels a dunce that has been kept at home. Accomplishments have taken virtue's place, And wisdom falls before exterior grace; We slight the precious kernel of the stone, And toil to polish its rough coat alone. A just deportment, manners graced with ease Elegant phrase, and figure formed to please, Are qualities that seem to comprehend Whatever parents, guardians, schools intend; Hence an unfurnished and a listless mind, Though busy, trifling; empty, though refin'd, Hence all that interferes, and dares to clash With indolence and luxury, is trash; While learning, once the man's exclusive pride, Seems verging fast towards the female side. Learning itself received into a mind By nature weak, or viciously inclin'd, Serves but to lead philosophers astray Where children would with ease discern the way. And of all arts sagacious dupes invent To cheat themselves and gain the world's assent The worst is scripture warped from it's intent. The carriage bowls along and all are pleas'd If Tom be sober, and the wheels well greas'd, But if the rogue have gone a cup too far, Left out his linch-pin or forgot his tar, It suffers interruption and delay, And meets with hindrance in the smoothest way. When some hypothesis absurd and vain Has filled with all its fumes a critic's brain, The text that sorts not with his darling whim, Though plain to others, is obscure to him. The will made subject to a lawless force, All is irregular, and out of course, And judgment drunk, and bribed to lose his way, Winks hard, and talks of darkness at noon day. A critic on the sacred book, should be Candid and learn'd, dispassionate and free; Free from the wayward bias bigots feel,