'But haply still 'tis reasoned (and with more Of reason's semblance were the plea maintained), That higher yet would life's ambition soar, Not for mere scheme of happiness ordained, But for advance in virtue,--for the growth By patient zeal and meek endurance gained: That, at the table of voluptuous sloth, Though banqueted on sweets without alloy, Unsated were a generous nature, loth To feast where unearned lusciousness would cloy, Faint with the tedium of unbroken rest, Sick with the sameness of unruffled joy: That for more poignant pleasure, and of zest Heightened and edged by healthful exercise,-- For scope wherein her conscious strength to test In keen pursuit and venturous enterprise, For dear exemplars, in whose course serene Affection's tearful warmth might sympathise, For these the yearning mind would languish, e'en Though with all else that wish could name endued, While, in her striving for self-discipline, Foiled, and with fervid impulses imbued Vainly, where neither aught could valour dare Nor aught confront and challenge fortitude: And where no outward token could declare The hidden worth congenial heart would hail, Hail with each kindred chord vibrating there;d Since virtue wakes not but when griefs assail, Or travail burthens, or temptations try, Slumbering supine, till roused by adverse gale, In the deep sleep of moral lethargy, Joy's fullest cup, by hope or doubt unstirred, Curdling the while to dull satiety. 'Thus haply some have reasoned, undeterred By reasoning, with equal emphasis But counter aim, as readily preferred: Since Heaven's perfection striveth not, nor is In peril lest it lapse to apathy, Or lassitude invade its tranquil bliss. And were it as they deem, and righteously Were man adjudged with his brow's sweat to eat Bread leavened with embittering misery, E'en then affliction's measure to complete, Amply might pain, and want, and death suffice, And feeling's blight, and baffled love's defeat, And, on the altar of self-sacrifice, Hope's withered blooms by resignation laid: Nor were it needed that incarnate vice, In human mould, in the same image made, Trampled with iron hoof his fellow man, Virtue's chastised development to aid. For whence was Vice derived? Ere life began, For His own offspring could their Maker trace Their loathsome office, and beneath his ban Place them, accurst (creating to debase), And doom as fuel for the flames that test A favoured few, elect by partial grace?