Classic Poem

Spoke by Mr. Quin .

You call the stage, a glass , and look, to find
The imag'd passion, and reflected mind:
Yet, in one point, our glass, but ill agrees
With yours , where each his own resemblance sees:
Whereas, in ours , each SELF is, dimly , shown,
But, ev'ry other's likeness, strongly , known!

'T IS the same thing, in life — Nature is kind,
And, to home-follies , keeps us wisely blind:
Else, what dejected wits! — what crest-fall'n airs!
Shou'd none dare rally a defect, he shares!
Each eye , turn'd inward , less wou'd there be seen,
To raise the spirits , than provoke the spleen!
Yet, tho' self-censure might disturb the gay ,
And pride turn, startled , from the sad survey ;
Rightly conceiv'd , the oft examin'd pain,
Wou'd slowly ripen , into solid gain:
Each, losing something, to the common store,
Wou'd, from the general profit, draw back more.
What malice miss'd , benevolence wou'd find ,
And joy, and peace, re-fill the balanc'd mind.

F IX'D on this point , and bending to the wise ,
Our Author , not his wit , but reason , tries:
Full, to your view, presents that partial pride,
By which all weakness, but our own , is try'd;
Each can, with eagle 's eye, the frailty see,
Which none more practises, more loves , than he!

A LL , we propose ; all, we dare wish , or hope,
Lies, circumscrib'd , within this humble scope ;
Weigh the design , and, where small faults, you find,
Let the clouds pass, and watch the light , behind.