Sudden withdraws his backward grasp,
Nor dares in mind the blessing clasp.
'Twere easy his high birth to trace
From old Pisander's Spartan race; 50
For hither as he bent his course,
He from Amyclæ's walls convey'd,
With bold Orestes' friendly aid,
His brazen-arm'd Æolian force;
And by his mother near Ismenus' flood 55
From Melanippus drew his mingled blood. 47
Oft since their pristine strength renew'd
Shines forth in after times vicissitude.
Not loaded with perpetual grain,
The fields their yellow hue retain: 60
Nor trees an ample harvest bear
Of flowers and fruit through all the year;
But with just change—thus equal fate
Man's faded strength can renovate.
No sign proceeding from above 65
Makes clear the fix'd intent of Jove. 57
But swell'd by many a vain desire,
Too high our mortal thoughts aspire;
For bound in hope's adhesive chain,
The vital energies remain. 70
The foresight of the human mind
By narrow limits is confined.
Seek not unbounded wealth—nor prove
The raging pangs of hopeless love! 63
