Feel all Death's pains, yet be whole years in death, Is now the general cry we all pursue. Let Fortune change, and Prudence changes too; Supple and pliant, a new system feels, Throws up her cap, and spaniels at his heels: 70 Long live great Hirco, cries, by interest taught, And let his foes, though I prove one, be nought. _C_. Peace to such men, if such men can have peace; Let their possessions, let their state increase; Let their base services in courts strike root, And in the season bring forth golden fruit. I envy not; let those who have the will, And, with so little spirit, so much skill, With such vile instruments their fortunes carve; Rogues may grow fat, an honest man dares starve.[183] 80 _L_. These stale conceits thrown off, let us advance For once to real life, and quit romance. Starve! pretty talking! but I fain would view That man, that honest man, would do it too. Hence to yon mountain which outbraves the sky, And dart from pole to pole thy strengthen'd eye, Through all that space you shall not view one man, Not one, who dares to act on such a plan. Cowards in calms will say, what in a storm The brave will tremble at, and not perform. 90 Thine be the proof, and, spite of all you've said, You'd give your honour for a crust of bread. _C_. What proof might do, what hunger might effect, What famish'd Nature, looking with neglect On all she once held dear; what fear, at strife With fainting virtue for the means of life, Might make this coward flesh, in love with breath, Shuddering at pain, and shrinking back from death, In treason to my soul, descend to boar, Trusting to fate, I neither know nor care. 100 Once,--at this hour those wounds afresh I feel, Which, nor prosperity, nor time, can heal; Those wounds which Fate severely hath decreed, Mention'd or thought of, must for ever bleed; Those wounds which humbled all that pride of man, Which brings such mighty aid to Virtue's plan-- Once, awed by Fortune's most oppressive frown, By legal rapine to the earth bow'd clown, My credit at last gasp, my state undone, Trembling to meet the shock I could not shun, 110 Virtue gave ground, and blank despair prevail'd; Sinking beneath the storm, my spirits fail'd Like Peter's faith, till one, a friend indeed-- May all distress find such in time of need!-- One kind good man, in act, in word, in thought, By Virtue guided, and by Wisdom taught, Image of Him whom Christians should adore, Stretch'd forth his hand, and brought me safe to shore.[184] Since, by good fortune into notice raised, And for some little merit largely praised, 120 Indulged in swerving from prudential rules, Hated by rogues, and not beloved by fools; Placed above want, shall abject thirst of wealth, So fiercely war 'gainst my soul's dearest health, That, as a boon, I should base shackles crave, And, born to freedom, make myself a slave?