Page:The Seasons - Thomson (1791).djvu/155

With music, image, sentiment, and thought, 1750
Never to die! the treasure of mankind!
Their highest honour, and their truest joy!

Without thee what were unenlightened Man?
A savage roaming thro' the woods and wilds
In quest of prey; and with th' unfashion'd fur 1755
Rough clad; devoid of every finer art,
And elegance of life. Nor happiness
Domestic, mix'd of tenderness and care,
Nor moral excellence, nor social bliss,
Nor guardian law were his; nor various skill 1760
To turn the furrow, or to guide the tool
Mechanic; nor the heaven-conducted prow
Of navigation bold, that fearless braves
The burning line or dares the wintry pole,
Mother severe of infinite delights 1765
Nothing, save rapine, indolence, and guile,
And woes on woes, a still-revolving train!
Whose horrid circle had made human life
Than non-existence worse: but, taught by thee
Ours are the plans of policy, and peace; 1770
To live like brothers, and conjunctive all
Embellish life. While thus laborious crouds
Ply the though oar, Philosophy directs
The ruling helm; or like the liberal breath
Of potent heaven, invisible, the sail 1775
Swells out, and bears th' inferior world along.

Nor