the pursuit.
17
And if the toy should disappear,
Elusive of my vain career,
Yet all who run beneath the sky,
Have follow'd cheats as well as I!"
Philosophy, with brow severe,
Turn'd slowly from his task austere,
And bade me think before I ran,
Nor waste on dream's life's little span;
Since ancient lore, and modern use,
Full many a warning might produce,
Of those who follow'd, to no end,
That ignis-fatuus, a Friend!
Then bent on his more solid aim
He turn'd again to hunt—a name!
The gay coquette, with laughing eyes,
Beheld my progress with surprise,
And smiling shook the rosy chain,
In which she held her votive train.
Elusive of my vain career,
Yet all who run beneath the sky,
Have follow'd cheats as well as I!"
Philosophy, with brow severe,
Turn'd slowly from his task austere,
And bade me think before I ran,
Nor waste on dream's life's little span;
Since ancient lore, and modern use,
Full many a warning might produce,
Of those who follow'd, to no end,
That ignis-fatuus, a Friend!
Then bent on his more solid aim
He turn'd again to hunt—a name!
The gay coquette, with laughing eyes,
Beheld my progress with surprise,
And smiling shook the rosy chain,
In which she held her votive train.
