Whate'er the passion,--knowledge, fame, or pelf,-- Not one will change his neighbour with himself.[1243] The learn'd is happy nature to explore,[1244] The fool is happy that he knows no more; The rich is happy in the plenty giv'n, 265 The poor contents him with the care of heav'n. See the blind beggar dance, the cripple sing, The sot a hero, lunatic a king; The starving chemist in his golden views Supremely blessed,[1245] the poet in his muse.[1246] 270 [Sidenote: And in every age of life.] See some strange comfort ev'ry state attend, And pride bestowed on all, a common friend:[1247] See some fit passion ev'ry age supply, Hope travels through, nor quits us when we die.[1248] Behold the child, by nature's kindly law[1249] 275 Pleased with a rattle, tickled with a straw: Some livelier plaything gives his youth delight, A little louder,[1250] but as empty quite: Scarfs, garters,[1251] gold, amuse his riper stage,[1252] And beads[1253] and pray'r-books are the toys of age: 280 Pleased with this bauble still, as that before; Till tired he sleeps, and life's poor play is o'er.[1254] Mean while[1255] opinion gilds with varying rays Those painted clouds that beautify our days;[1256] Each want of happiness by hope supplied, 285 And each vacuity of sense by pride:[1257] These build as fast as knowledge can destroy;[1258] In folly's cup still laughs the bubble, joy; One prospect lost, another still we gain;[1259] And not a vanity is giv'n in vain;[1260] 290 Ev'n mean self-love becomes, by force divine, The scale to measure others' wants by thine.[1261] See, and confess, one comfort still must rise;[1262] 'Tis this, though man's a fool, yet God is wise![1263] ARGUMENT OF EPISTLE III. OF THE NATURE AND STATE OF MAN WITH RESPECT TO SOCIETY.