Pastorals Epistles Odes (1748)/On Wit and Wisdom. A Fragment
On Wit and Wisdom.
A FRAGMENT.
IN search of wisdom far from wit I fly: Wit is a harlot, beauteous to the eye, In whose bewitching arms our early time We waste, and vigour of our youthful prime: 4But when reflexion comes with riper years, And manhood with a thoughtful brow appears, We cast the mistress off to take a wife, And, wed to wisdom, lead a happy life.8