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But fame you lose; good sense alone
your idol, praise can claim;
When wild wit murders happiness,
it puts to death our fame;
your idol, praise can claim;
When wild wit murders happiness,
it puts to death our fame;
Nor boast your genius, talents bright
e'en dunces will despise,
If in your western beams is miss'd
a genius for the skies;
e'en dunces will despise,
If in your western beams is miss'd
a genius for the skies;
Your taste too fails; what most excels
true taste must relish most;
And what, to rival palms above,
can proudest laurels boast?
true taste must relish most;
And what, to rival palms above,
can proudest laurels boast?
Sound heads salvation's [1]helmet seek,
resplendent are its rays,
Let that suffice; it needs no plume
of sublunary praise.
resplendent are its rays,
Let that suffice; it needs no plume
of sublunary praise.
May this enable couch'd V—taire
to see that—[2]All is right,
His eye, by flash of wit struck blind,
restoring to its sight;
to see that—[2]All is right,
His eye, by flash of wit struck blind,
restoring to its sight;
If so, all's well: who much have err'd,
that much have been forgiv'n;
I speak with joy, with joy he'll hear,
"V—taires are, now, in heav'n."
that much have been forgiv'n;
I speak with joy, with joy he'll hear,
"V—taires are, now, in heav'n."
- ↑ Ephes. vi. 17.
- ↑ Which his romance ridicules.
Nay