But he, difclofing facred Myfterics, Has shewn where all the mighty Magick lies ; Sure, from fome Angel he the Secret knew, But what, alas! avails it poor To fee this promis'd Land, yet stay behind? Whose Fancy flies beyond weak Reason's Sight, But he must do beyond what I can fay; Muft above Tasso's lofty Flights prevail, Succeed where SPENCER, and ev'n MILTON fail." VOL. I. L ODE ODE ΟΝ BRUTUS I. IS faid, that Favorite, Mankind, Was made the Lord of all below; a But yet the doubtful are concern'd to find, C 'Tis only one Man tells another so. And, for this great Dominion here, Which over other Beafts we claim, Reafon, our beft Credential does appear; But how abfurdly, we may fee with fhame. Reafon, Reason, that folemn Trifle! light as Air ; By partial Love away 'tis blown, Or the leaft Prejudice can weigh it down ; How weak, at beft, is Reafon! yet the Grave II. In all those Wits, whofe Names have spread fo wide, And ev❜n the force of Time defy'd, Some Failings yet may be defcry'd. Among the reft, with Wonder be it told That BRUTUS is admir'd for CÆSAR'S Death; By which he yet furvives in Fame's immortal Breath. BRUTUS, ev'n he, of all the reft, In whom we should that Deed the most deteft, Is of Mankind cfteem'd the best. As Snow defcending from fome lofty Hill, Is by its rowling Course augmenting ftill; So from illuftrious Authors down have rowl'd great Encomiums he receiv'd of old : Republick Orators ftill fhew Efteem, And guild their Eloquence with Praise of him. But Truth unvail'd like a bright Sun appears, To fhine away this Heap of fev'nteen hundred Years. III. In vain 'tis urg'd by an "illuftrious Wit, That CESAR's Life no Pity could deferve Had BRUTUS chose rather himself to flay, Than any Mafter to obey; Happy for Rome had been that noble Pride; The World had then remain'd in Peace, and only BRUTUS dy'd. For For he, whofe Soul difdains to own Subjection to a Tyrant's Frown, And his own Life would rather end; Would, fure, much rather kill himself, than only hurt his Friend. To his own Sword in the Philippian Field But in those Times Self-killing was not rare; In hopes another CESAR would forgive; Then for the good of Rome he could once more Confpire against a Life which had fpared his before. IV. Our Country challenges our utmost Care, And in our Thoughts deferves the tender'ft Share; Yet not betray 'em tho' it be for her. |