POEMS.
21
The Hermit, with Man and with Nature at strife,
Shunning pleasure, and careless who sink or who swim,
Leads alone and inactive a dull selfish life,
Neither useful to others, nor pleasing to him:
Nor e'er by such cold flinty hearts can be proved
That sunshine, which chears his benevolent breast,
Who by loving his neighbours has made himself loved,
And by blessing another, can make himself blest.
Shunning pleasure, and careless who sink or who swim,
Leads alone and inactive a dull selfish life,
Neither useful to others, nor pleasing to him:
Nor e'er by such cold flinty hearts can be proved
That sunshine, which chears his benevolent breast,
Who by loving his neighbours has made himself loved,
And by blessing another, can make himself blest.
The Rake, from all conscience and prejudice freed,
God and Man in pursuit of enjoyment defies:
Though Prudence may warn him, though Virtue may plead,
Invited by Pleasure, still onward he flies.
But ne'er tastes the Libertine's lip that sweet stream,
Unsullied which flows in life's chrystalline bowl,
When Love joins with Nature, with Passion Esteem,
And the senses in ecstasy yield to the soul.
God and Man in pursuit of enjoyment defies:
Though Prudence may warn him, though Virtue may plead,
Invited by Pleasure, still onward he flies.
But ne'er tastes the Libertine's lip that sweet stream,
Unsullied which flows in life's chrystalline bowl,
When Love joins with Nature, with Passion Esteem,
And the senses in ecstasy yield to the soul.
