Classic Poem

HOW true the tale which S TELLA does relate,
Of treach'rous Love, and subtle Friendship's guise!
A thousand S TELLA'S can such woes repeat,
Yet triumph in the cause that made them wise.

From disappointment cordial pleasures spring,
Suff'ring and joy unsever'd here remain:
The rose its thorn, the honey has its sting,
And ev'ry pleasure has its sister pain.

Yet till home-taught experience has impress'd,
The awful truth upon our bleeding heart;
Unmingled happiness we think possess'd,
Amidst the glare of Nature and of art.

But Nature's soil can ne'er produce the fruit
Which was alone for Paradise design'd:
Pure love, in " God , in Reason strikes its root, "
Sincere and lasting, as it is refin'd.

Nor youth's fantastic fires, nor passion's flame;
(Imagination's wild prolific brood)
Av'rice, ambition, honour, wealth, or fame,
Nobility or titles, birth or blood.

Not these our bliss or greatness can restore:
In consentaneous sound they all agree;
" We all are poor, as poverty is poor:
" True happiness can ne'er be found in me . "

Where then will Love, will sacred Love reside?
Parent of joy, and source of pure delight!
Is it to dust and vanity ally'd,
Will it with sin and misery unite?

Alas! she will not. Heav'n with Heav'n combines;
Christian and Belial never can agree,
For God has drawn th' insuperable lines,
And can't reverse his irrevers'd decree.

The courtier, statesman, hero, poet, sage,
Grac'd with deep learning, or loquacious wit;
Profound in Grecian, or in Latin page;
Train'd up at Zeno's or Gamaliel's feet:

Renown'd in arms, and fam'd in councils, clear,
Sagacious, prudent, enterprising, bold,
Determin'd, firm, assiduous, sincere,
Unaw'd by menace, and unbrib'd by gold.

Nor sounds, nor sights, nor fragrant smells, nor taste;
Let art and fancy, fertile nature join:
The good alone in social love are blest,
And they who know it, know it all divine.

Let other bosoms glow with other fires,
And bask in fortune's or in beauty's ray:
Be mine the joy which piety inspires,
Be mine those charms which never will decay.