Plants rais'd with tenderness are seldom strong; Man's coltish disposition asks the thong; And, without discipline, the fav'rite child, 360 From school to Cam or Isis, and thence home; And thence with all convenient speed to Rome. With rev'rend tutor clad in habit lay, To tease for cash, and quarrel with all day; 371 And ev'ry post, and where the chaise broke down; His stock a few French phrases got by heart, With much to learn, but nothing to impart; The youth, obedient to his sire's commands, Sets off a wand'rer into foreign lands. Surpris'd at all they meet, the gosling pair, With awkward gait, stretch'd neck, and silly stare, Discover huge cathedrals built with stone, And steeples tow'ring high much like our own; But show peculiar light by many a grin At popish practices observ'd within. Ere long some bowing, smirking, smart abbé Remarks two loit'rers that have lost their And, being always prim'd with politesse way; For men of their appearance and address, 380 To tell them more than they have wit to ask: 390 Models of Herculanean pots and pans; And sells them medals, which, if neither rare Nor ancient, will be so, preserv'd with care. 400 His great improvement and new light he draws, That make Italian flow'rs so sweet and fair, 410 Fresh'ning his lazy spirits as he ran, Unfolded genially and spread the man; Returning he proclaims by many a grace, By shrugs and strange contortions of his face, How much a dunce, that has been sent to roam, Excels a dunce, that has been kept at home. Accomplishments have taken virtue's place, And wisdom falls before exterior grace; We slight the precious kernel of the stone, A just deportment, manners grac'd with ease, 420 While learning, once the man's exclusive pride, Seems verging fast towards the female side. 430 Learning itself, receiv'd into a mind By nature weak, or viciously inclin'd, Serves but to lead philosophers astray, Where children would with ease discern the way. And of all arts sagacious dupes invent, To cheat themselves and gain the World's assent, The worst is-Scripture warp'd from it's intent. The carriage bowls along, and all are pleas'd If Tom be sober, and the wheels well greas'd; But if the rogue have gone a cup too far, Left out his linchpin, or forgot his tar, It suffers interruption and delay, 440 And meets with hindrance in the smoothest way. Has fill'd with all it's fumes a critic's brain, Though plain to others, is obscure to him. The will made subject to a lawless force, 449 And Judgment drunk, and brib'd to lose his way, Winks hard, and talks of darkness at noonday. A critic on the sacred book should be Candid and learn'd, dispassionate and free; Nor touch the page he cannot but profane) |