Can we reverse the general plan, Nor be what all in turn must be?
12.
No; for myself, so dark my fate Through every turn of life hath been; Man and the World so much I hate, I care not when I quit the scene.
13.
But thou, with spirit frail and light, Wilt shine awhile, and pa.s.s away; As glow-worms sparkle through the night, But dare not stand the test of day.
14.
Alas! whenever Folly calls Where parasites and princes meet, (For cherish"d first in royal halls, The welcome vices kindly greet,)
15.
Ev"n now thou"rt nightly seen to add One insect to the fluttering crowd; And still thy trifling heart is glad To join the vain and court the proud.
16.
There dost thou glide from fair to fair, Still simpering on with eager haste, As flies along the gay parterre, That taint the flowers they scarcely taste.
17.
But say, what nymph will prize the flame Which seems, as marshy vapours move, To flit along from dame to dame, An ignis-fatuus gleam of love?
18.
What friend for thee, howe"er inclin"d, Will deign to own a kindred care?
Who will debase his manly mind, For friendship every fool may share?
19.
In time forbear; amidst the throng No more so base a thing be seen; No more so idly pa.s.s along; Be something, any thing, but--mean.
August 20th, 1808. [First published, 1809.]
[Footnote 1: Stanzas 8-9 are not in the _MS_.]
[Footnote i:
"To Sir W. D., on his using the expression, "Soyes constant en amitie.""
[MS. L.] ]
[Footnote ii:
"Twere well my friend if still with thee Through every scene of joy and woe, That thought could ever cherish"d be As warm as it was wont to glow.
[MS. L] ]
[Footnote iii:
_And yet like me._
[MS. L.] ]
[Footnote iv:
_Forget they ever._
[MS. L. _Imit. and Transl_., p. 185.] ]
[Footnote v:
_So short._
[MS. L.] ]
[Footnote vi:
_...a day Will send my friendship back again._
[MS. L.]
[Footnote vii:
_Each fool whose vices are the same Whose faults with ours may blend._
[_MS. L._]]