In other parts it leaves wide sandy plains; 55 Thus in the soul while memory prevails, The solid pow'r of understanding fails;[72] Where beams of warm imagination play,[73] The memory's soft figures melt away.[74] One science only will one genius fit; 60 So vast is art, so narrow human wit:[75] Not only bounded to peculiar arts, But oft in those confined to single parts. Like kings we lose the conquests gained before, By vain ambition still to make them more 65 Each might his sev'ral province well command, Would all but stoop to what they understand. First follow nature, and your judgment frame By her just standard,[76] which is still the same: Unerring nature, still divinely bright, 70 One clear, unchanged, and universal light,[77] Life, force, and beauty, must to all impart,[78] At once the source, and end, and test of art. Art from that fund each just supply provides; Works without show, and without pomp presides:[79] 75 In some fair body thus th' informing soul With spirits feeds, with vigour fills the whole,[80] Each motion guides, and ev'ry nerve sustains; Itself unseen, but in th' effects remains.[81] Some, to whom heav'n in wit has been profuse, 80 Want as much more, to turn it to its use;[82] For wit and judgment often are at strife,[83] Though meant each other's aid, like man and wife. 'Tis more to guide, than spur the muse's steed; Restrain his fury, than provoke his speed; 85 The winged courser, like a gen'rous horse,[84] Shows most true mettle when you check his course. Those rules of old discovered, not devised, Are nature still, but nature methodised;[85] Nature, like liberty,[86] is but restrained 90 By the same laws which first herself ordained. Hear how learn'd Greece her useful rules indites, When to repress, and when indulge our flights: High on Parnassus' top her sons she showed, And pointed out those arduous paths they trod; 95 Held from afar, aloft, th' immortal prize,[87] And urged the rest by equal steps to rise. Just precepts thus from great examples giv'n,[88] She drew from them what they derived from heav'n,[89] The gen'rous critic fanned the poet's fire, 100 And taught the world with reason to admire. Then criticism the muse's handmaid proved, To dress her charms, and make her more beloved: But following wits from that intention strayed, Who could not win the mistress, wooed the maid;[90] 105 Against the poets their own arms they turned, Sure to hate most the men from whom they learned.[91] So modern 'pothecaries, taught the art