But let us try these truths with closer eyes, And trace them through the prospect as it lies: Here, for a while my proper cares resign’d, Here let me sit in sorrow for mankind; Like yon neglected shrub, at random cast, That shades the steep, and sighs at every blast. Far to the right, where Apennine ascends, Bright as the summer, Italy extends: Its uplands sloping deck the mountain’s side. Woods over woods in gay theatric pride, While oft some temple’s mouldering tops between With venerable grandeur mark the scene. [Illustration] Could Nature’s bounty satisfy the breast, The sons of Italy were surely bless’d. Whatever fruits in different climes are found, That proudly rise, or humbly court the ground-- Whatever blooms in torrid tracts appear, Whose bright succession decks the varied year-- Whatever sweets salute the northern sky, With vernal lives, that blossom but to die-- These, here disporting, own the kindred soil, Nor ask luxuriance from the planter’s toil; While sea-born gales their gelid wings expand, To winnow fragrance round the smiling land. [Illustration] But small the bliss that sense alone bestows, And sensual bliss is all the nation knows; In florid beauty groves and fields appear-- Man seems the only growth that dwindles here! Contrasted faults through all his manners reign; Though poor, luxurious; though submissive, vain Though grave, yet trifling; zealous, yet untrue-- And even in penance planning sins anew. All evils here contaminate the mind, That opulence departed leaves behind; For wealth was theirs--nor far remov’d the date When commerce proudly flourish’d through the state, At her command the palace learn’d to rise, Again the long-fall’n column sought the skies, The canvas glow’d beyond even nature warm, The pregnant quarry teem’d with human form; Till, more unsteady than the southern gale, Commerce on other shores display’d her sail, While nought remain’d of all that riches gave, But towns unmann’d, and lords without a slave-- And late the nation found, with fruitless skill, Its former strength was but plethoric ill. [Illustration]