17% CONSOLATIONS OF SOLITUDE
And he who most hath thwarted Nature's plan Is oftenest still the disappointed man.
Virtue can make misfortune gay, And Love the load of sorrow light ;
And with these two Hope loves to stay, Him cheering who keeps these in sight.
'Tis true, each morrow dawns on scenes untried,
But the wise mind will view the brightest side.
Yet, if thy wayward, restless soul
Would thine own war with wisdom wage,
Spurn sickly Fancy's weak control — Be less of bard, and more of sage 1
Live just and free, and, though thy path be rough,
Be of good cheer — to be a man's enough !
Though song's sad children pass away, Time can their wasted ranks renew ;
But Nature's self must feel decay,
When stern and vigorous wills grow few.
Truth vainly speaks in sweet, prophetic numbers,
When courage fails and godlike reason slumbers.
Great gods, when ye your gifts recall,
May I with cheerfulness resign The joys of sense ! Yes, take them all —
Leave only Truth and Love divine 1 Hide in the bowels of a frozen earth The pencil's charm, the chisel's marble birth ;
Melt poesy in air away,
Let music to the tempests fly. Let Nature's every charm decay,
And in eternal winter lie ;
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