ODES. CLASS THE FIRST. ODE I. TO AMBITION. BY R. SHEPHERD, D.D. O'ER midnight glass, or by the Fair In dalliance soft caress'd: Without a thought, without a care To discompose their rest, The meaner herd exulting pant to rove While more determin'd bosoms glow With high Ambition's fires: Source of whate'er is great below, Adieu for them the pleasure-winged hour, Tho' rough the paths that lead to Fame, Their steps no toils dismay; Ambition aids the generous aim, And smooths the rugged way : With all its lustre bids bright Virtue shine, What breakes th' aspiring statesman's rest? And plumes her towering wing: Instructs the feeble Monarch how to bear The General's wakeful bosom fires, The pride of arts from fair Ambition springs, Oft, Goddess, as thy genial ray Pervades the feeling heart, Love trembling quits his sensual sway, And drops his feeble dart : The flowers, that in the Paphian garden grow, Fade in the wreath that rounds the hero's brow, Pleasure retreats with wanton smiles, And Strength-unnerving eyes; Hoping in vain by Parthian wiles To conquer as she flies: Sloth with reluctance quits her foul embrace, Virtue with firm quaternion band The sister-train his toils with glory crown, By these inspir'd young Scipio trod A nobler quarry lures the hero's eye :" Hence then, ye Slaves, whom Ease delights, Where monkish apathy invites True Worth, that spurns the hermit's sluggard cell, ODE II. ON AMBITION. BY SIR JAMES MARRIOT, BART. THE mariner, when first he sails, The blue expanded skies, and level deep. Such young Ambition's fearless aim, Pleas'd with the gorgeous scene of wealth and power, In the gay morn of early fame, Nor thinks of evening's storm and gloomy hour. Life's opening views bright charms reveal, Feed the fond wish, and fan the youthful fire; But woes unknown those charms conceal, And fair illusions cheat our fierce desire. There Envy shows her sullen mien, In deadly silence, treacherous Friendships wait. |