A thousand other things Invention taught, To bore the earth, or ocean’s bosom sweep, Air-pumps, machines hydraulic, hither brought, Or flying-bridge that rapid rivers leap, Huge diving-bell, and plummets sounding deep, Galvanic batteries, with the electric wire, And instruments to measure mountains steep, The microscope that marvels new inspire, And Davy’s safety lamp, and telescope’s great pow’r. CXLIII. “Those I have shown are few of native art, The pivot chief round which the world doth turn, Great moving spring that action doth impart, As heart’s pulsation shows that life doth burn, To those who can progressive art discern, What can withstand the great magician steam, Progress of letters check who strive to learn, ’Tis like the streak of early morning’s gleam, Or streamlet’s gentle rise that flows a mighty stream. CXLIV. “But now break off, ’tis time we now forego, This school of art that doth entice us here, My lord and master bade me further show That other porch, whilome will soon appear, His dear delight and mine to study there;” The ardent poet kindling as he spake. “Haste, follow me, yon lovely haunts to share, Haunts of the muses;--fount of bliss partake, Once drank, if pure the stream, that fount ye’ll ne’er forsake. CANTO IV. ARGUMENT. The Porch of Learning--Its Appearance Described--The Appeal--An Encomium on the Place--The Grove and Academy of Plato--Cicero’s Villa--The Sea-shore--Athenæum--Its noble Apartment--Busts of great Names--The Library--An Eulogy on Poetry--Emulation Inspired. CANTO IV. CXLV. Anon he led the trooping crowd, right glad His steps to follow on discovery bent, For he had soothed their drooping spirits sad, As with enchanter’s wand, where’er they went; The hours with them were golden visions blent; Aladdin’s lamp could not enchant them more, Or fairy spell ywove to circumvent The soul enchained, when wrapt in legend’s lore Of dreams Hesperia’s grove, or some peace rippling shore. CXLVI. At length they reach that rugged steep ascent And entrance fair, that led to Learning’s bow’rs, Unfading laurels its habiliment. The summit gained, sprung up eternal flow’rs, Where zephyrs balmy breathed Aonian hours; There dwell those virgins pure, the “sacred Nine,” And mental vigour grows with all its pow’rs, The mind’s unclouded seat, and sweet sunshine, Where she may sit and muse, and bask in thought divine. CXLVII.