ABSTRACT
Those oft are Stratagems which Errors seem, Nor is it Homer Nods, but We that Dream. 180
Still green with Bays each ancient Altar stands, Above the reach of Sacrilegious Hands, Secure from Flames, from Envy's fiercer Rage, Destructive War, and all-involving Age. See, from each CUme the Leam'd their Incense bring; 185 Hear, in all Tongues consenting Pceans ring! In Praise so just, let ev'ry Voice be join'd, And fill the Gen'ral Chorus of Mankind! Hail Bards Triumphant! born in happier Days; Immortal Heirs of Universal Praise! 190 Whose Honours with Increase of Ages grow, As Streams roll down, enlarging as they flow! Nations unborn your mighty Names shall sound, And Worlds applaud that must not yet be found! Oh may some Spark of your Crelestial Fire 195 The last, the meanest of your Sons inspire, (That on weak Wings, from far, pursues your Flights; Glows while he reads, but trembles as he writes) To teach vain Wits a Science little known, T' admire Superior Sense, and doubt their own I 200
Of all the Causes which conspire to blind Man's erring Judgment, and misguide the Mind, What the weak Head with strongest Byass rules, Is Pride, the never-failing Vice of Fools. Whatever Nature has in Worth deny'd, 205 She gives in large Recruits of needful Pride; For as in Bodies, thus in Souls, we find What wants in Blood and Spirits, swell'd with Wind; Pride, where Wit fails, steps in to our Defence, And fills up all the mighty Void of Sense! 210
184. all-involving Age] The four great causes of the ravage amongst ancient writings are here alluded to: The destruction of the Alexandrim and Palatine libraries by fire; the fiercer rage of Zoilus and Mcevius and their followers against Wit; the irruption of the Barbarians into the empire; and the long reign of Ignorance and Superstition in the cloisters.
