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A curious web, as finely wrought
as genius can inspire,
From a black bag of poison spun,
with horror we admire.
as genius can inspire,
From a black bag of poison spun,
with horror we admire.
Mean as it is, if this is read
with a disdainful air,
I can't forgive so great a foe
to my dear friend V—taire:
with a disdainful air,
I can't forgive so great a foe
to my dear friend V—taire:
Early I knew him, early prais'd,
and long to praise him late;
His genius greatly I admire,
nor would deplore his fate;
and long to praise him late;
His genius greatly I admire,
nor would deplore his fate;
A fate how much to be deplor'd!
at which our nature starts;
Forbear to fall on your own sword,
to perish by your parts:
at which our nature starts;
Forbear to fall on your own sword,
to perish by your parts:
"But great your name"—To feed on air
were then immortals born?
Nothing is great, of which more great,
more glorious is the scorn.
were then immortals born?
Nothing is great, of which more great,
more glorious is the scorn.
Can fame your carcase from the worm
which gnaws us in the grave,
Or soul from that which never dies,
applauding Europe, save?
which gnaws us in the grave,
Or soul from that which never dies,
applauding Europe, save?
But
