ODE
TO
AMBITION
.
BY
THE
SAME
.
O'ER
midnight
glass
,
or
by
the
fair
In
dalliance
soft
carest
;
Without
a
thought
,
without
a
care
To
discompose
their
rest
,
The
meaner
herd
exulting
pant
to
rove
The
flowery
paths
of
Pleasure's
fairy
grove
:
While
more
determin'd
bosoms
glow
With
high
Ambition's
fires
;
Source
of
whate'er
is
great
below
,
The
grave
of
mean
desires
:
Adieu
for
them
the
pleasure-winged
hour
,
Adieu
the
bed
of
ease
,
the
Paphian
bower
!
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
,
And
into
action
wakes
the
big
design
.
What
breaks
th'
aspiring
statesman's
rest
?
What
gives
the
Muse
to
sing
?
Ambition
wakes
his
anxious
breast
,
And
plumes
her
towering
wing
:
Instructs
the
feeble
Monarch
how
to
bear
The
crown
,
and
all
the
thorns
that
fasten
there
.
The
General's
wakeful
bosom
fires
,
And
guards
the
jealous
camp
;
The
Scholar's
flattering
hope
inspires
,
And
trims
the
midnight
lamp
;
The
pride
of
arts
from
fair
Ambition
springs
,
And
blooms
secure
beneath
her
fostering
wings
.
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
,
Rough
Care
and
manly
Toil
assume
her
place
.
Virtue
with
firm
quaternion
band
His
eager
steps
precedes
;
A
flambleau
grasping
in
her
hand
,
To
light
to
glorious
deeds
:
The
sister-train
his
toils
with
glory
crown
,
And
point
the
arduous
paths
to
fair
renown
.
By
these
inspir'd
young
Scipio
trod
To
Fame
th'
adventurous
way
;
"
By
Love
,
he
cry'd
,
let
Paphos'
god
The
softer
soul
betray
;
A
nobler
quarry
lures
the
hero's
eye
:
"
He
spoke
,
and
bade
th'
unconquer'd
eagle
fly
.
Hence
then
,
ye
Slaves
,
whom
Ease
delights
,
To
yon
lone
cloyster
stray
,
Where
monkish
apathy
invites
To
dose
tame
life
away
:
True
Worth
,
that
spurns
the
hermit's
sluggard
cell
,
In
Glory's
active
courts
delights
to
dwell
.