4 Nor Cato, nor Chrysippus here Need we in high indignant phrase From their Elysian quiet raise: But Pleasure's oracle alone Consult; attentive, not severe. O Pleasure, we blaspheme not thee; Nor emulate the rigid knee Which bends but at the Stoic throne. 5 We own, had fate to man assign'd Nor sense, nor wish but what obey, Or Venus soft, or Bacchus gay, Then might our bard's voluptuous creed Most aptly govern human kind: Unless perchance what he hath sung Of tortured joints and nerves unstrung, Some wrangling heretic should plead. 6 But now, with all these proud desires For dauntless truth and honest fame; With that strong master of our frame, The inexorable judge within, What can be done? Alas, ye fires Of love; alas, ye rosy smiles, Ye nectar'd cups from happier soils,-- Ye have no bribe his grace to win. ODE VII. TO THE RIGHT REVEREND BENJAMIN, LORD BISHOP OF WINCHESTER. 1754. I.--l. For toils which patriots have endured, For treason quell'd and laws secured, In every nation Time displays The palm of honourable praise. Envy may rail, and Faction fierce May strive; but what, alas, can those (Though bold, yet blind and sordid foes) To Gratitude and Love oppose, To faithful story and persuasive verse? I.--2. O nurse of freedom, Albion, say, Thou tamer of despotic sway, What man, among thy sons around, Thus heir to glory hast thou found? What page, in all thy annals bright, Hast thou with purer joy survey'd Than that where truth, by Hoadly's aid, Shines through imposture's solemn shade, Through kingly and through sacerdotal night? I.--3. To him the Teacher bless'd, Who sent religion, from the palmy field By Jordan, like the morn to cheer the west, And lifted up the veil which heaven from earth conceal'd, To Hoadly thus his mandate he address'd: 'Go thou, and rescue my dishonour'd law From hands rapacious, and from tongues impure: Let not my peaceful name be made a lure, Fell persecution's mortal snares to aid: Let not my words be impious chains to draw The freeborn soul in more than brutal awe, To faith without assent, allegiance unrepaid.' II.--1. No cold or unperforming hand Was arm'd by Heaven with this command. The world soon felt it; and, on high, To William's ear with welcome joy Did Locke among the blest unfold The rising hope of Hoadly's name; Godolphin then confirm'd the fame; And Somers, when from earth he came, And generous Stanhope the fair sequel told. II.--2.