The critic, that with plodding head By midnight lamp, religion's ftores; And ev'ry bard, that ftrays along The fylvan fhade, intent on facred fong; Shall all to thee thofe various praises give, Which, through thy friendly aid, themfelves receive: Where loud applaufe proclaims the honour'd name; Each nobler work that fwells the voice of Fame. W HILE Saturn's a fane with folemn ftep we trod, a This temple was probably in the city of Thebes, for Cebes was a Theban. Devout offerings, for the most part in discharge of vows. A pictur'd A pictur'd tablet, o'er the portal rais'd, The pencil there fome ftrange device had wrought, Nor camp it feem'd, nor city: the defign, Like fome great teacher who with urgent tongue, From doubt to doubt we wander'd; when appear'd Strangers, that allegoric scene, I guess, Learning's best culture to strong genius join'd, He rear'd this dome to Saturn's aweful name, And gave that portrait to eternal fame. Such wisdom flowing from a mouth but young Him oft I heard this moral piece expound, With nervous eloquence and fenfe profound. 1 Father, if leifure with thy will confpire, Field, yield that comment to our warm defire. 35 Free to bestow, I warn you first, beware: Danger impends, which fummons all your care. Wife, virtuous, bleft, whofe heart our precepts gain, Abandon'd, blind, and wretched, who difdain. 40 For know, our purpos'd theme resembles best The fam'd Enigma of the Theban peft: 45 From day to day our reasoning part she wounds, Devours its ftrength, its noblest pow'rs confounds : 50 The mind with pangs which guilty life prepares, With oppofite effect, where thoughtful skill Difcerns the boundaries of Good and Ill, Folly muft perish; and th' illumin'd breaft 55 To Virtue fav'd, is like th' immortals bleft. The Cafelian and Salmafian editions read πονηροί wicked, inftead of winpo bitter. • Vid. y. 186. JOHNSON. Give Give audience, then, with no unheeding ear. 60 The numbers thronging into mortal state.. Which danger's path, and which to fafety bears, 65 See him aloft, benevolent he bends, One hand is pointing, one a roll extends With skin of borrow'd fnow, and blush of art, With hypocritic fawn, and eyes afkance Whence foft infection steals in every glance, 75 Her faithlefs hand presents a crystal bowl, Muft all drink Error who appear on earth? G 4 80 The i e Th' Opinions, and Defires, and Pleasures rife Behind the gate, thick-glitt'ring on our eyes; Thick as bright atoms in the folar ray, Diverse their drap'ry and profufely gay. 85 These tempting forms, each like a mistress drest, 90 Of dalliance they affail th' unguarded heart. Who on that globe ftands ftretching to her flight? The first court, or the fenfual life. 95 ICO 105 Flings |