62
EPISTLES.
Such manly thoughts in ev'ry infant rise,
Who daily for some tinsel trinket cries.
Who daily for some tinsel trinket cries.
Go on, and prosper, Sir: but first from me
Learn your own temper; for I know you free. 44
You can be honest; but you cannot bow,
And cringe, beneath a supercilious brow:
You cannot fawn; your stubborn soul recoils
At baseness; and your blood too highly boils. 48
From nature some submissive tempers have;
Unkind to you, she form'd you not a slave.
A courtier must be supple, full of guile,
Must learn to praise, to flatter, to revile, 52
The good, the bad, an enemy, a friend,
To give false hopes, and on false hopes depend.
Go on, and prosper, Sir: but learn to hide
Your upright spirit: 'twill be construed pride. 56
The splendor of a court is all a cheat;
You must be servile, 'e're you can be great.
Besides, your ancient patrimony wasted,
Your youth run out, your schemes of grandeur blasted, 60
You may perhaps retire in discontent,
And curse your patron, for no strange event:
Learn your own temper; for I know you free. 44
You can be honest; but you cannot bow,
And cringe, beneath a supercilious brow:
You cannot fawn; your stubborn soul recoils
At baseness; and your blood too highly boils. 48
From nature some submissive tempers have;
Unkind to you, she form'd you not a slave.
A courtier must be supple, full of guile,
Must learn to praise, to flatter, to revile, 52
The good, the bad, an enemy, a friend,
To give false hopes, and on false hopes depend.
Go on, and prosper, Sir: but learn to hide
Your upright spirit: 'twill be construed pride. 56
The splendor of a court is all a cheat;
You must be servile, 'e're you can be great.
Besides, your ancient patrimony wasted,
Your youth run out, your schemes of grandeur blasted, 60
You may perhaps retire in discontent,
And curse your patron, for no strange event:
The
