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"With aught, as more desirable and fair,
"Devised by Fancy for the Golden Age;
"Or the perpetual warbling that prevails
"In Arcady, beneath unaltered skies,
"Through the long year in constant quiet bound,
"Night hush'd as night, and day serene as day!"
—But why this tedious record?—Age we know
Is garrulous; and solitude is apt
To anticipate the privilege of Age.
From far ye come; and surely with a hope
Of better entertainment—let us hence!"
Loth to forsake the spot, and still more loth
To be diverted from our present theme,
I said, "My thoughts, agreeing, Sir, with yours,
Would push this censure farther;—for, if smiles
Of scornful pity be the just reward
Of Poesy, thus courteously employed
In framing models to improve the scheme
Of Man's existence, and recast the world,
Why should not grave Philosophy be stiled,
Herself, a Dreamer of a kindred stock,
A Dreamer yet more spiritless and dull?
