292 CONSOLATIONS OF SOLITUDE
And, while his countenance betrays No signs of restless nights and days, While in his pomp vain worldlings see The bright smiles of prosperity, Thou, lurking 'neath that outside gay, Wilt lie concealed, and day by day Gnaw peace, and hope, and health away.
��Thou wilt even search that dullard out Who of his error lives in doubt, — Whose empty, undistinguished life Is spent afar from noise and strife, — Who deems himself of saintly kind, Since evil, lurking in his mind, Ne'er into world-wide action grew, Rejoicing that his crimes are few ; Yet who, by sophistry acquitted.
Long did such evil as he durst ; A tyrant where the law permitted.
His enmities in secret nursed. And, shrinking from the open blow, Sought but to undermine his foe ; A wretch who fain from danger's face would flee, But never spared a prostrate enemy. He did not murder, nor at midnight steal, He ne'er rebelled against the common weal, Was no adulterer, and detested dice ; Yet each mock virtue, gendered of some vice, Can claim no ancestor save cowardice. This man thanks God that he hath been No profligate, like other men, Since with less warmth, less love than they, No strong temptations led astray ; ^' Favored by grace ! " as if Heaven's smile E'er beamed benifrnant on the vile !
�� �
