Page:Vida's Art of Poetry.djvu/31

The youths in social Studies to engage;
For then the rivals burn with gen'rous rage,
Each soul the stings of emulation raise,
And every little bosom beats for praise.
But gifts propos'd will urge them best to rise;
Fir'd at the glorious prospect of a prize,
With noble jealousie, the blooming bard
Reads, labours, glows, and strains for the reward;
Fears lest his happy rival win the race,
And build a triumph on his own disgrace.

But when once season'd to the rage divine,
He loves and courts the raptures of the nine,
The sense of glory, and the love of fame,
Serve but as second motives to the flame;
The thrilling pleasure all the bard subdues,
Lock'd in the strict embraces of the muse.
See! When harsh parents force the youth to quit,
For meaner arts, the dear delights of wit,
If e'er the wonted warmth his thoughts inspire,
And with past pleasures set his mind on fire;

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