"Thus let the wiser make the rest obey: V. Great Nature spóke; observant man obey'd; Here rose one little state; another near Grew by like means, and join'd through love or fear. 200 205 And he return'd a friend, who came a foe. Converse and love, mankind might strongly draw, Thus states were form'd; the name of king unknown, 210 'Twas virtue only (or in arts or arms, Diffusing blessings, or averting harms,) The same which in a sire the sons obey'd, A prince the father of a people made. 214 VI. Till then, by nature crown'd, each patriarch sate King, priest, and parent, of his growing state: On him, their second providence, they hung, 220 225 Or plain tradition, that this All begun, 230 235 That was but love of God, and this of man. 240 Who first taught souls enslav'd, and realms undone, Th' enormous faith of many made for one; That proud exception to all nature's laws, T'invert the world, and counter-work its cause? Force first made conquest, and that conquest, law; 245 Till superstition taught the tyrant awe. Then shar'd the tyranny, then lent it aid, And gods of conqu❜rors, slaves of subjects made: She, 'midst the lightning's blaze, and thunder's sound, 251. When rock'd the mountains, and when groan'd the ground, 255 Whose attributes were rage, revenge, or lust 260 265 So drives self-love, through just, and through unjust, 270 To one man's power, ambition, lucre, lust; What serves one will, when many wills rebel, 275 E'en kings learn'd justice and benevolence : 280 Self-love forsook the path it first pursu❜d, And found the private in the public good. "Twas then the studious head, or gen'rous mind, Follower of God, or friend of human kind, Poet or patriot, rose but to restore 285 The faith and moral nature gave before; Relum'd her ancient light, not kindled new; Taught power's due use to people and to kings, 290 That touching one must strike the other too; Such is the world's great harmony, that springs 295 From order, union, full consent of things: Where small and great, where weak and mighty, made To serve, not suffer, strengthen, not invade; More powerful each as needful to the rest, And, in proportion as it blesses, blest; Draw to one point, and to one centre bring 300 For forms of government let fools contest; 305 In faith and hope the world will disagree, But all mankind's concern is charity: All must be false that thwarts this one great end, And all of God, that bless mankind, or mend. 310 Man, like the gen'rous vine, supported lives; The strength he gains is from th' embrace he gives. Yet make at once their circle round the sun; Bo two consistent motions acts the soul; 815 And one regards itself, and one the whole. Thus God and nature link'd the general frame, And bade self-love and social be the same. EPISTLE IV. O Happiness! our being's end and aim; Good, pleasure, ease, content! whate'er thy name: Which still so near us, yet beyond us lies, Where grows?-where grows it not?—if vain our toil, Fix'd to no spot is happiness sincere, 'Tis nowhere to be found, or ev'ry where: 10 15 "Tis never to be bought, but always free, And, fled from monarchs, St. John! dwells with thee. Ask of the learn'd the way? The learn'd are blind; This bids to serve, and that to shun mankind; 20 Some place the bliss in action, some in ease, To trust in every thing, or doubt of all. Who thus define it, say they more or less Than this, That happiness is happiness? 25 |