Hurt, too, perhaps for life; for early wrong, Done to the nobler part, affects it long; And you are staunch indeed in learning's cause, Connexion form'd for int'rest, and endear'd The props of such proud seminaries fall, Great schools rejected, then, as those that swell Shall royal institutions miss the bays, Force not my drift beyond its just intent, So take my judgment in his language dress'd— "Whate'er is best administer'd is best." Few boys are born with talents that excel, But all are capable of living well; Then ask not, Whether limited or large? Much zeal in virtue's cause all teachers boast, Though motives of mere lucre sway the most; For there the game they seek is easiest found; Claims more than half the praise as his due share. But, if, with all his genius, he betray, The whole reproach own! the fault was all his Oh 'tis a sight to be with joy perus'd, By all whom sentiment has not abus'd; New-fangled sentiment, the boasted grace Of those who never feel in the right place; A sight surpass'd by none that we can show, Though Vestris on one leg still shine below; A father blest with an ingenuous sonFather, and friend, and tutor, all in one. How!-turn again to tales long since forgot, Æsop, and Phædrus, and the rest?-Why not? He will not blush that has a father's heart, To take in childish plays a childish part; But bends his sturdy back to any toy That youth takes pleasure in, to please his boy: Then why resign into a stranger's hand A task as much within your own command, For one whose tend'rest thoughts all hover round your own? This second weaning, needless as it is, How does it lac'rate both your heart and his! Th' indented stick, that loses day by day Notch after notch, till all are smooth'd away, Bears witness, long ere his dismission come, With what intense desire he wants his home. But, though the joys he hopes beneath your roof Bid fair enough to answer in the proof, Harmless, and safe, and nat'ral, as they are, Arriv'd, he feels an unexpected change; He blushes, hangs his head, is shy and strange, And eyes the door, and watches a retreat, And, least familiar where he should be most, Feels all his happiest privileges lost. Alas, poor boy!--the natural effect Of love by absence chill'd into respect. Say, what accomplishments, at school acquir'd, Brings he, to sweeten fruits so undesir'd? Thou well deserv'st an alienated son, Unless thy conscious heart acknowledge-none; None that, in thy domestic snug recess, He had not made his own with more address, Though some perhaps that shock thy feeling mind, And better never learn'd, or left behind. |