I. OF all the springs within the mind Which prompt her steps in fortune's maze, From none more pleasing aid we find Than from the genuine love of praise. II. Nor any partial, private end Such reverence to the public bears; Nor any passion, virtue's friend, So like to virtue's self appears. III. For who in glory can delight Without delight in glorious deeds? What man a charming voice can slight, Who courts the echo that succeeds? IV. But not the echo on the voice More, than on virtue praise, depends; To which, of course, its real price The judgment of the praiser lends. V. If praise then, with religious awe, From the sole perfect judge be sought, A nobler aim, a purer law, Nor priest, nor bard, nor sage hath taught. VI. With which, in character the same, Though in an humbler sphere it lies, I count that soul of human fame, The suffrage of the good and wise. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHAT I LIVE FOR by GEORGE LINNAEUS BANKS JOHN KEATS (1) by GEORGE GORDON BYRON SPRING'S WELCOME, FR. ALEXANDER AND CAMPASPE by JOHN LYLY VERSES TO THE MEMORY OF P. BURGESS; A CHILD OF SUPERIOR ENDOWMENTS by BERNARD BARTON CHANGES by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON FROST by MADISON JULIUS CAWEIN ARS LONGA, VITA BREVIS by CHRISTOPHER PEARSE CRANCH |