So drives self-love, through just and through unjust, To one man's power, ambition, lucre, lust: 270 The same self-love, in all, becomes the cause Of what restrains him, government and laws. For, what one likes, if others like as well, What serves one will, when many wills rebel? How shall he keep what, sleeping or awake, A weaker may surprise, a stronger take? His safety must his liberty restrain: All join to guard what each desires to gain. Forced into virtue thus by self-defence, Even kings learn'd justice and benevolence; 280 Self-love forsook the path it first pursued, And found the private in the public good. 'Twas then the studious head or generous mind, Follower of God, or friend of human kind, Poet or patriot, rose but to restore The faith and moral Nature gave before; Relumed her ancient light, not kindled new; If not God's image, yet his shadow drew; Taught power's due use to people and to kings, Taught not to slack, nor strain its tender strings, 290 The less, or greater, set so justly true, That touching one must strike the other too; Till jarring interests of themselves create The according music of a well-mix'd state. Such is the world's great harmony, that springs From order, union, full consent of things: Where small and great, where weak and mighty, made To serve, not suffer; strengthen, not invade; More powerful each as needful to the rest, And in proportion as it blesses, bless'd; 300 Draw to one point, and to one centre bring Beast, man, or angel, servant, lord, or king. For forms of government let fools contest; Whate'er is best administer'd is best: For modes of faith let graceless zealots fight; His can't be wrong whose life is in the right: In faith and hope the world will disagree, But all mankind's concern is charity: All must be false that thwart this one great end; And all of God that bless mankind, or mend. 310 Man, like the generous vine, supported lives; The strength he gains is from the embrace he gives. On their own axis as the planets run, Yet make at once their circle round the sun; So two consistent motions act the soul, And one regards itself, and one the whole. Thus God and Nature link'd the general frame, And bade self-love and social be the same. VARIATIONS. VER. 1, in several quarto editions-- Learn, Dulness, learn! 'the Universal Cause,' &c. After VER. 46, in the former editions-- What care to tend, to lodge, to cram, to treat him! All this he knew; but not that 'twas to eat him. As far as goose could judge, he reason'd right; But as to Man, mistook the matter quite. After VER. 84, in the MS.-- While Man, with opening views of various ways Confounded, by the aid of knowledge strays: Too weak to choose, yet choosing still in haste, One moment gives the pleasure and distaste. VER. 197, in the first edition-- Who for those arts they learn'd of brutes before, As kings shall crown them, or as gods adore. VER. 201, in the MSS. thus--