It never thence can be eras'd. But, rifing up, you call it Taste. 'Twere foolish for a drudge to chuse A gufto, which he cannot use. Better difcard the idle whim, What's He to Tafte? or Tafte to Him? Like penny pots of Oxford ale; Yet fuch his task, a difmal truth, Who watches o'er the bent of youth; And while, a paltry ftipend earning, He fows the richest seeds of learning, And And tills their minds with proper care, And fees them their due produce bear, His own lies fallow all the while. "Yet ftill he's in the road, you fay, "Of learning.” — Why, perhaps, he may. But turns like horfes in a mill, Nor getting on, nor standing still : Who reads no more than what he teaches. "Yet you can fend advent'rous youth, "In fearch of letters, tafte, and truth, "Who ride the highway road to knowlege Through the plain turnpikes of a college.” True. — Like way-pofts, we ferve to fhew The road which travellers fhou'd go; Who jog along in easy pace, Secure of coming to the place, Yet find, return whene'er they will, The Poft, and its direction ftill: Which stands an useful unthank'd guide, 'Tis hard to carve for others meat, And not have time one's felf to eat. Tho', be it always understood, Our appetites are full as good. "But there have been, and proofs appear, "Who bore this load from year to to year; "Whose claim to letters, parts, and wit, " Verse "Verfe was to them a recreation "Us'd but by way of relaxation." Your inftances are fair and true, Come,-I admit, you tax me right. Are you from error found and free? Say, does your breaft no bias hide, Whose influence draws the mind afide ? All have their hobby-horse, you see, From Triftram down to you and me. Ambition, fplendour, may be thine ; And fet their hedges up before 'em, Some sprouts will branch, and straggle o'er 'em.. Strive, fight against her how you will, And though you curb with double rein, But let a man of parts be wrong, 'Tis triumph to the leaden throng. The fools fhall cackle out reproof, The afs fhall raise his hoof; very And he who holds in his poffeffion, The single virtue of discretion, PART |