Thence, to the charms of younger Science blind, The cuftoms, laws, the learning, arts and phrase Of their own countries they with scorn declin'd; Ne facred Truth herself would they embrace, Unwarranted, unknown in their fore-fathers' days. XXIV. Thus ever backward cafting their furvey; To Rome's old ruins and the groves forlorn Stretch'd out beneath the mountain, would they turn Each little scrap, however foul or torn, In grave harangues they boldly would declare, This Ennius, Varro; This the Stagyrite did wear. XXV. Yet, under names of venerable found, Wide o'er the world they stretch'd their aweful rod; For teachers of whate'er is wife and good. i Dread, dreadful. XXVI. O'er B 3 XXVI. O'er every fource, protectress of the ftream, Extending from the hill on every fide, By that rude torrent, which with roaring found And every where this fpacious valley o'er, Who Who helpless, meek, and innocent of wrong, Were driv❜n with furious rage, and lafh'd into the tide. On the rude bank with trembling feet they flood, If haply they mote 'scape the hated flood, Of nurturing care, and fmiling tenderness, XXX. As on the steepy margin of a brook, When the young fun with flowery Maia rides, With innocent difmay a bleating flock Crowd back, affrighted at the rolling tides: The shepherd-fwain at first exhorting chides With his rude crook he wounds their tender fides; Into the dashing wave compels them furious down. k Faitour, doer, from faire to do, and fait deed, commonly used by Spenser in a bad sense. B 4 1 Seely, fimple. XXXI. Thus XXXI. Thus urg'd by maft'ring Fear and dol'rous 1 Teen Of tender ftriplings ftain'd with tears and blood, And labouring to attain the distant shore, Sollicited their hearts with her inchanting lore. XXXII. Irkfome and long the paffage was, perplex'd Oft dash'd the youth, whose strength mote ill abide Ne one regardful look would ever backward caft. Some, of a rugged, more enduring frame, Teen, pain,grief. m Astounded,astonish'd. » Muchel, much. Deep Deep in the muddy stream, with hearts fubdu'd Where hid in ftudious fhades their fruitless hours they waste. Others of rich and noble lineage bred, Though with the crowd to pass the flood constrain'd, Yet o'er the crags with fond indulgence led By hireling guides and in all depths sustain❜d, Skimm'd lightly o'er the tide, undipt, unstain'd, Save with the fprinkling of the wat❜ry spray : And aye their proud prerogative maintain'd, Of ignorance and ease and wanton play, Soft harbingers of vice, and præmature decay. XXXV. A few, alas, how few! by heav'n's high will With fubtile spirits endow'd and finews strong, p Albe fore q mated by the tempefts fhrill, P That bellow'd fierce and rife the rocks among, By their own native vigour borne along Cut briskly through the waves; and forces new Gathering from toil, and ardor from the throng Of rival youths, outstript the labouring crew, And to the true Parnaffe, and heav'n-thron'd glory flew. r • Lear, learning. 9 Mated, amaz'd, fcared. P Albe, although. XXXVI. Dire |