Scarce can my Knees these trembling Limbs sustain,
And scarce my Heart support its Load of Pain.
Pope.
Why: which of your Affairs goes ill, poor Wretch? Your Possessions? No. Your Body? No. But you have Gold and Brass in Abundance. What then goes ill? That Part of you, whatever it be called, is neglected and corrupted, by which we desire, and are averse; by which we pursue, and avoid.How neglected?It is ignorant of that for which it was naturally formed, of the Essence of Good, and of the Essence of Evil. It is ignorant what is its own, and what another's. And, when any thing belonging to others goes ill it says, "I am undone; the Greeks are in danger!" (Poor ruling Faculty! which alone is neglected, and hath no Care taken of it.) "They will die by the "Sword of the Trojans!"And, if the Trojans should not kill them, will they not die?"Yes: but not all at once."Why: where is the Difference? For, if it be an Evil to die, whether it be all at once, or singly, it is equally an Evil. Will any thing more happen, than the Separation of Soul and Body[1]?"Nothing"And, when the Greeks perish, is the Door shut against you? Is it not in your own Power to die?"It is."Why then do you lament, while you are a King, and hold the Sceptre of Jove? A King is no more to be made unfortunate than a God. What are you then? You are a Shepherd[2], truly so called: for you weep, just as Shepherds do,
when
- ↑ Were Conquerors deeply to consider, how much more happens than the mere Separation of Soul and Body, they would not, for Increase of Dominion, or a Point of false Honour, push Thousands at once into an unknown Eternity.
- ↑ We find this Phrase often used by the inspired Writers, to describe the Office and Duty of a King, or Ruler. And the most tender and affectionate Compassion is implied in it, Isaiah
xl.
