Classic Poem

From the E — — of B — — to Ambition

Peccat ad extremum ridendus.

A WAY , Ambition, let me rest;
All party-rage forsake my breast,
And opposition cease.
Arm me no more for future strife,
Pity my poor remains of life,
And give my age its peace.

I'm not the man you knew before,
For I am P — — y now no more,
My titles hide my name.
(Oh how l blush to own my case!)
My dignity was my disgrace,
And I was rais'd to shame.

To thee I sacrific'd my youth,
Gave up my honour, friendship, truth,
My k — — and c — — nt — y's weal.
For thee I sinn'd against my reason,
The daily lie, the weekly treason,
Proclaim'd my blinded zeal.

For thee I ruin'd O — — d's pow'r.
Oh! had I well employ'd that hour,
My reign had known no end:
But then (Oh fool!) like Brutus, I
Left able, pow'rful Antony,
T' avenge his fallen friend.

He drives me to this abject state,
And still he urges on my fate,
And heaps my measure full:
All O — — d's wrongs are now repaid,
I'm fall'n into the pit I made,
And roar in my own bull.

Leave me, and to great Varus go,
On him resistless smiles bestow,
Inflame his kindled heat:
Display thy pow'r, thy temptings shew,
Thy glorious height, the sunny brow,
With all that charm and cheat.

Varus, on whom, while yet a child,
You, goddess, favourably smil'd,
And form'd him for your tool;
Bid him the path of Greatness try,
Teach him to conquer or to die,
To ruin, or to rule.

Here all my views of greatness cease,
I only ask content and peace,
Which I will never barter
For all the gifts that you can show'r;
The pride of wealth, the pomp of pow'r,
Employments, and a garter.

But at that word what thoughts return!
Again I feel ambition burn,
My dreams, my hopes obey;
There all my wishes crown'd I feel,
Enjoy the ribband, treas'ry, seal,
Which vanish with the day.