Who learnt from them their speculative lore, Those vile and grov'ling sensualists, who waste, 35 In the low pleasures of a brute bemir'd. Nor can I now, since higher themes inspire 40 Yet blended temp'rance with a noble pride, 45 And fortitude with patriotism allied: Or visionary Platonist, with schemes Of idle import, and fantastic dreams; Tho' oft from well-urg'd arguments he draws, Bright truths relating to the great First Cause: 50 Or Academic with a flimsy mind, Now to this school, and now to that inclin❜d, As veering and as unsubstantial as the wind. } And satisfied of truth, I wish no more The fam'd Lyceum's doctrines to explore; On the learn'd page of the shrewd Stagyrite. But still in all its systems we can meet, No scheme consistent, regular, complete. (Tho' gloss'd with eloquence elab'rate o'er) The constant light of faithful heav'n he leaves, For a false fire of earth, a Vapor that deceives. If the Philosophy of ancient schools, For life's just conduct cannot give the rules; That comfort less the modern Sceptics give: Frame other systems hateful and perverse. 75 Such was bewilder'd Hobbes, who idly strove, 80 'Twixt right and wrong no nat'ral line to prove; Or Bolingbroke fallacious, who denies Of just morality the sacred ties; And though he grants there is a great First Cause, Tho' grac'd with all the pow'rs of eloquence. And less will Reason give her sober ear, 85 90 Line 82. It is said that Addison used emphatically to call this nobleman (who was the high-priest of his time, for immorality, falsehood, and profaneness)"The cankered Bolingbroke." Who wish'd Jehovah from his throne to tear, From these what mischiefs have aris'n to man! 95 How their accurst contagion have they spread! Which is more horrid, than that Pest'lence dread, Which oft its livid banner doth uprear, Where'er the Turks their fell dominion bear, And stalks by fierce Destruction lacquey'd and Despair. 100 And what is this auspicious gospel's aim? It clears the doubt of immortality, And which, at times obtrusive, would molest 105 From which incessant comfort we receive; It seeks to form upon the justest plan, The temper, conduct, and the hope of man. Unconquer'd, or by pleasure or by pain; To mansuetude and gentle courtesy. 120 Each gen'rous manly virtue 'twill impart, And draw out all the venom from the heart. Lines 123 and 124. One would imagine that the most unrelenting insensibility would be softened by the heavenly injunctions of the apostle. "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking be put away from among you, with |