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PRINCIPLES OF
Chap. X.
With gentle mirth, and, wisely gay,
Enjoy at least the present day,
And leave to Fate the rest.
Nor with vain fear of ills to come
Anticipate th' appointed doom.
Soon did Achilles quit the stage;
The hero fell by sudden death;
While Tithon to a tedious, wasting age
Drew his protracted breath.
And thus, old partial Time, my friend,
Perhaps unask'd, to worthless me
Those hours of lengthen'd life may lend,
Which he'll refuse to thee.
Enjoy at least the present day,
And leave to Fate the rest.
Nor with vain fear of ills to come
Anticipate th' appointed doom.
Soon did Achilles quit the stage;
The hero fell by sudden death;
While Tithon to a tedious, wasting age
Drew his protracted breath.
And thus, old partial Time, my friend,
Perhaps unask'd, to worthless me
Those hours of lengthen'd life may lend,
Which he'll refuse to thee.
VII.
Thee shining wealth, and plenteous joys surround,
And all thy fruitful fields around
Unnumber'd herds of cattle stray;
Thy harness'd deeds with sprightly voice,
Make neighbouring vales and hills rejoice,
While smoothly thy gay chariot flies o'er the swift--
measur'd way.
To me the stars with less profusion kind,
An humble fortune have assign'd,
Thee shining wealth, and plenteous joys surround,
And all thy fruitful fields around
Unnumber'd herds of cattle stray;
Thy harness'd deeds with sprightly voice,
Make neighbouring vales and hills rejoice,
While smoothly thy gay chariot flies o'er the swift--
measur'd way.
To me the stars with less profusion kind,
An humble fortune have assign'd,
