POET AND TOLL-GATHEREK
" And he who must have stayed below,
If with one foot obliged to delve, Though he be blind, thus safe may go,
And climb the rugged mount on twelve ; Still easier task, when from behind Blown onward by opinion's wind.
" Thou couldst join these." " Churl, curb thy speech,
Or I'll report thee to the god. And tell him, when the top I reach.
His servant's back requires a rod." " O would e'en now he might appear. To stay this mob from mounting here !
" All night their gongs and yells and cries Keep me awake." "What ! on this hill
No longer to the listening skies
Chant those fair maids when winds are still }
Tell me, and hath the offended god
In sorrow left his blest abode ? "
" Thou'lt find him not." " Then who will teach ? " " Fear not ! there bores of every nation
Thou'lt meet, there hear all Babel's speech ! Yet, friend, if bent on education,
Thou'lt find, in many a lonely nook,
Viol and lute and music book.
" For on this god-abandoned hill
Are many mansions. Wise and weak Here worship Phoebus' image still ;
His followers many a language speak ; And each an instrument can find Tuned to such airs as suit his mind.
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