From heav'n to earth, of lambent flame serene. So stood the brittle prodigy; though smooth (What seem'd at least commodious seat) were there; Sofa, and couch, and high-built throne august. The same lubricity was found in all, And all was moist to the warm touch; a scene Of evanescent glory, once a stream, And soon to slide into a stream again. Of undesign'd severity, that glanc'd 'Twas transient in its nature, as in show 'Twas durable: as worthless, as it seem'd Intrinsically precious; to the foot Treach'rous and false; it smil'd, and it was cold. Great princes have great playthings. Some have play'd At hewing mountains into men, and some Short-liv'd themselves, t' immortalize their bones. And make the sorrows of mankind their sport. But war's a game, which, were their subjects wise, Kings would not play at. Nations would do well T'extort their truncheons from the puny hands Of heroes, whose infirm and baby minds Are gratified with mischief; and who spoil, When Babel was confounded, and the great Confed'racy of projectors wild and vain Was split into diversity of tongues, Then, as a shepherd separates his flock, These to the upland, to the valley those, God drave asunder, and assign'd their lot To all the nations. Ample was the boon He gave them, in its distribution fair And equal; and he bade them dwell in peace. Peace was awhile their care: they plough'd, and sow'd, And reap'd their plenty, without grudge or strife. Than human passions please. In ev'ry heart Occasion needs but fan them, and they blaze. The deluge wash'd it out; but left unquench'd Soon, by a righteous judgment, in the line The first artificer of death; the shrewd When man was multiplied and spread abroad Desire of more, and industry in some, T'improve and cultivate their just demesne, Made others covet what they saw so fair. Thus war began on earth: these fought for spoil, And those in self-defence. Savage at first, Was chosen leader: him they serv'd in war, As he whose prowess had subdu'd their foes? Of virtue, made one chief, whom times of peace, For skill in government, at length made king. That, being parcel of the common mass, And destitute of means to raise themselves, |