With thrones ethereal, and their greater far Not more remote from sorrow, than from Him, There, O my LuCIA! may I meet thee there, Can nought affect them, but what fools them too? Makes serious thought man's wisdom, joy, and praise, Are you not wise?—You know you are: Yet hear One truth, amid your num'rous schemes, mislaid, Or overlook'd, or thrown aside, if seen; "Our schemes to plan by this world, or the next, "Is the sole difference between wise and fool." All worthy men will weigh you in this scale; What wonder then, if they pronounce you light? Is their esteem alone not worth your care? Accept my simple scheme of common sense : Thus, save your fame, and make two worlds your own. The world replies not ;-but the world persists; And puts the cause off to the longest day, Planning evasions for the day of doom. T So far, at that re-hearing, from redress, And crown her with your welfare, not your praise. Go, nobly proud of martyrdom for truth, And die a double death: Mankind incens'd, And bold blasphemer of his friend, the WORLD; “Are all, then, fools?" LORENZO cries.—Yes, all, But such as hold this doctrine (new to thee); "The mother of true wisdom is the will;" But art and science, like thy wealth, will leave thee, And make thee twice a beggar at thy death. This is the most indulgence can afford;--- Thy wisdom all can do, but—make thee wise." Nor think this censure is severe on thee; Satan, thy master, I dare call a dunce. |