Yet Reason frowns on War's unequal game, Where wasted nations raise a single name, 185 And mortgag'd states their grandsires' wreaths regret, Wreaths which at last the dear-bought right convey To rust on medals, or on stones decay. 190 On what foundation stands the warrior's pride, How just his hopes, let Swedish Charles decide: A frame of adamant, a soul of fire, No dangers fright him, and no labours tire; 195 War sounds the trump, he rushes to the field; And one capitulate, and one resign: Peace holds his hand, but spreads her charms in vain; "Think nothing gain'd," he cries, "till naught remain, "On Moscow's walls till Gothic standards fly, 66 200 And all be mine beneath the polar sky." The march begins in military state, 205 And nations on his eye suspended wait; Stern Famine guards the solitary coast, And Winter barricades the realms of Frost: He comes; nor want nor cold his course delay;— Hide, blushing Glory, hide Pultowa's day: 210 The vanquish'd hero leaves his broken bands, But did not Chance at length her error mend? He left the name, at which the world grew pale, All times their scenes of pompous woes afford, 215 220 From Persia's tyrant to Bavaria's lord. In gay hostility and barb'rous pride, 225 230 The waves he lashes, and enchains the wind; New pow'rs are claim'd, new pow'rs are still bestowed, The daring Greeks deride the martial show, 235 And heap their valleys with the gaudy foe. Th' insulted sea with humbler thoughts he gains; A single skiff to speed his flight remains; 240 Th' encumb'red oar scarce leaves the dreaded coast 250 And steals to death from anguish and from shame. In health, in sickness, thus the suppliant prays; That life protracted is protracted woe. Time hovers o'er, impatient to destroy, And shuts up all the passages of joy: 260 In vain their gifts the bounteous seasons pour, With listless eyes the dotard views the store: 265 No sounds, alas! would touch th' impervious ear, Though dancing mountains witness'd Orpheus near; 270 Nor lute nor lyre his feeble pow'rs attend, Nor sweeter musick of a virtuous friend; Improve his heady rage with treach'rous skill, Lay siege to life, and press the dire blockade; But unextinguish'd Av'rice still remains, 285 And dreaded losses aggravate his pains: He turns, with anxious heart and crippled hands, His bonds of debt and mortgages of lands; Or views his coffers with suspicious eyes, 290 But grant, the virtues of a temp'rate prime 295 Such age there is, and who shall wish its end? 300 A sister sickens, or a daughter mourns. 305 310 But few there are whom hours like these await, Who set unclouded in the gulfs of Fate. From Lydia's monarch should the search descend, In life's last scene what prodigies surprise 315 Fears of the brave, and follies of the wise! From Marlb'rough's eyes the streams of dotage flow, And Swift expires a driv'ler and a show. The teeming mother, anxious for her race, Begs for each birth the fortune of a face: 320 Yet Vane could tell what ills from beauty spring; 325 By day the frolick, and the dance by night; What care, what rules, your heedless charms shall save, Each nymph your rival, and each youth your slave? 330 Against your fame with fondness hate combines, 335 340 Here Beauty falls betray'd, despis'd, distress'd, And hissing Infamy proclaims the rest. Where then shall Hope and Fear their objects find? Must dull Suspense corrupt the stagnant mind? Must helpless man, in ignorance sedate, Roll darkling down the torrent of his fate? Must no dislike alarm, no wishes rise, 345 No cries invoke the mercies of the skies? Which heav'n may hear; nor deem religion vain. 350 But leave to heav'n the measure and the choice; Safe in his pow'r, whose eyes discern afar 355 360 For love, which scarce collective man can fill; Counts death kind Nature's signal of retreat : These goods for man the laws of heav'n ordain; 365 These goods he grants, who grants the pow'r to gain; With these celestial Wisdom calms the mind, And makes the happiness she does not find. |