Classic Poem

Why bear I arms , my heart! impartial, tell:
Hast thou been just, and weigh'd this purpose well?
Can thy bold hopes withstand the search of truth ?
Can'st thou stem vanity , and conquer youth ?
Can'st thou obey , 'till worthy to aspire ?
And practice duties, thou may'st, thence, require ?
Calmly resolv'd , can'st thou serenely dare ,
And shun, alike, presumption , and despair ?
Can'st thou support a name , unus'd to fear ,
And feel no blush, to think — who plac'd thee here?

What, tho' my patron's lov'd example fires!
Urges my sword , and lengthens my desires!
Tho' conscious want of merit sighs, aloud,
Be humble — for 'twere blindness, to be proud!
Still, there's a wish , that must my prospect bar;
A wish, for Wisdom — that gives eyes , to war!
A soul of conduct, that inspires, to know :
And laughs at courage , in an untaught foe!
That moulds the future, while it sifts the past;
Claims victory — and bids the triumph last.

Where shall a thoughtless youth this treasure find?
This art of judgment, that becalms the mind?
Chains anger short; and sets reflection free,
Gives tumult temper — and makes fortune see?

In books , 'tis endless, to pursue this hope ;
Guideless, and lost , in an expanse of scope.
Shorten the task, and point thy happy sight,
To catch, and kindle, at a living light .
A C OBHAM 's life , well read, forms ev'ry art ,
And gives sure title to a D UNMORE 's heart .