Classic Poem

Inclusam D ANAEN turris abenca ,
Robustœque fores , &c.

To the Reverend Mr . STANLEY.

 Believe me, Sir, your Cost and Cares,
 Your Dogs and Locks, your Bolts and Bars,
 Your Palisades, and Walls of Brass,
Are all too weak, when Gold attacks the Place.
 A brazen Tow'r A CRISIUS rear'd;
 A brazen Tow'r, he thought, would guard
 His Daughter from the leach'rous Arms
 Of those who nightly sought her Charms;
 While surly Mastiffs watch'd the Dame,
 And thund'ring, told if Lovers came:
 These kept the Nymph from Gods and Men,
 Not J OVE himself could enter in;
 Till Venus (wondrous to behold!)
 Transform'd his Godship into Gold.
 O S TANLEY , S TANLEY ! Gold has Pow'r
  The sternest Heart to move,
 To burst the Wall, or pierce the Tow'r,
  Impervious ev'n to J OVE .
 Gold can the subtlest Head deceive,
  Or Peace, or War can bring,
 Buy Votes, raise Gallic Arms, and give
  The Polanders a King.
  APOLLO knew the Force of Gold,
When P HILIP'S Martial Fate he thus foretold:
 “The sharpest Lance of Steel may err,
  “So may the surest Bow;
 “But know, O King, the Golden Spear
  “Will vanquish ev'ry Foe.”
 The God's Advice the Prince pursu'd;
 He fought with Gold, and Gold subdu'd;
 Whence some Historians say, 'twas this ,
And not young A MMON'S Father, conquer'd Greece.
 Gold has an absolute Command;
 It rules at Sea, as well as Land:
 For, when two adverse Fleets engage,
 And fiery Tubes displode their Rage;
 A Bribe can make their Thunder cease,
 And hush the watry World to Peace.
 Yet, notwitstanding all its Force,
 It often brings the greatest Curse:
 Vexatious Cares and Discontents
  Increasing Gold attend;
 Desires enlarge, as Wealth augments,
  For Av'rice knows no End.
We labour up the golden Hill with Pain;
But ne'er surmount the tow'ring Alps of Gain.

 O S TANLEY , Honour of my Muse!
  I fear, and justly fear,
 To steer the Course Ambition shews,
  Or soar beyond my Sphere.
He's poor, who always after Wealth aspires;
He's rich, who always curbs his own Desires.
 I more admire an humble Seat,
 Than all the Pomps, which vex the Great;
 And from their gilded Roofs retire,
 On Isis Banks to tune my Lyre.
 In this Retreat I'm nobler bless'd,
  Then C ROESUS e'er could be,
 Than if (like Misers) I possess'd
  A wealthly Poverty .
 While favour'd by the best of Queens,
  Who all my Wants supplies;
 While fragrant Groves, and flow'ry Scenes,
  Delight my Muse's Eyes;
My Fate a far superior Blessing brings,
Than all the Pageantry of Eastern Kings.
 What tho' no Flocks, on Richmond Plain,
  With Fleeces deck my Pride?
 What tho' I seldom drink Champagne ,
  Or quaff the purple Tide?
If these I wanted, were your Bard to ask
I know, your gen'rous Soul would send a Cask .

 I MAKE my Wants and Wealth agree;
 I pay my Debts no worse than he,
 Who o'er the Seas extends his Reign,
 And adds all Sicily to Spain .
 Who covets most, is most in Need,
 And always rides a restless Steed,
 Which foams, and flies without Controul,
 Still seeks, but ne'er obtains the Goal.
 Then happy those, whom Heav'n has bless'd,
  With what may Life sustain;
 Nor are with pinching Want depress'd,
  Nor curst with too much Gain:
For boundless Wealth ne'er fills a boundless Mind;
The Man who still pursues, is still behind.