Their pleas were different, their request the same; Unlike successes equal merits found. 66 With studies pale, with midnight vigils blind; The goddess heard, and bade the Muses raise Next these the good and just, an awful train, Thus on their knees address'd the sacred fane: "Since living virtue is with envy curs'd, And the best men are treated like the worst, Do thou, just goddess, call our merits forth, And give each deed th' exact intrinsic worth." "Not with bare justice shall your act be crown'd, (Said Fame) but high above desert renown'd: Let fuller notes th' applauding world amaze, And the loud clarion labour in your praise." This band dismiss'd, behold another crowd But straight the direful trump of Slander sounds; And gathering scandals grew on every tongue. A troop came next, who crowns and armour wore, What virtue seem'd, was done for thee alone." 'Ambitious fools! (the queen replied, and frown'd) Be all your acts in dark oblivion drown'd; There sleep forgot, with mighty tyrants gone, Your statues moulder'd, and your names un known!" A sudden cloud straight snatch'd them from my sight, And each majestic phantom sunk in night. Then came the smallest tribe I yet had seen; Plain was their dress, and modest was their mien : "Great idol of mankind! we neither claim The praise of merit, nor aspire to fame! But safe in deserts from th' applause of men, Would die unheard of, as we liv'd unseen; 'Tis all we beg thee, to conceal from sight Those acts of goodness which themselves requite. O let us still the secret joy partake, To follow virtue e'en for virtue's sake." "And live there men who slight immortal fame? Who then with incense shall adore our name? But, mortals! know, 'tis still our greatest pride To blaze those virtues which the good would hide. Rise! Muses, rise! add all your tuneful breath, These must not sleep in darkness and in death." She said in air the trembling music floats, And on the winds triumphant swell the notes; So soft, though high, so loud, and yet so clear, E'en listening angels lean'd from Heaven to hear: To farthest shores th' ambrosial spirit flies, Sweet to the world, and grateful to the skies. Next these a youthful train their vows express'd, With feathers crown'd, with gay embroidery dress'd: "Hither (they cried) direct your eyes, and see In fact, 'tis true, no nymph we could persuade, The queen assents: the trumpet rends the skies, And at each blast a lady's honour dies. Pleas'd with the strange success, vast numbers prest Around the shrine, and made the same request; Would you usurp the lover's dear-bought praise? Straight the black clarion sends a horrid sound, Last, those who boast of mighty mischiefs done, Enslave their country, or usurp a throne; Or who their glory's dire foundation laid Of these a gloomy tribe surround the throne, This having heard and seen, some power un known [the throne. Straight chang'd the scene, and snatch'd me from Before my view appear'd a structure fair, Its site uncertain, if in earth or air; With rapid motion turn'd the mansion round; With ceaseless noise the ringing walls resound: Not less in number were the spacious doors Than leaves on trees, or sands upon the shores; Which still unfolded stand, by night, by day, Pervious to winds, and open every way. As flames by nature to the skies ascend, As weighty bodies to the centre tend, As to the sea returning rivers roll, And the touch'd needle trembles to the pole; Hither, as to their proper place, arise All various sounds from earth, and seas, and skies, Or spoke aloud, or whisper'd in the ear; |