IN awful pomp, and melancholy state, See settled Reason on the judgment seat; Around her crowd Distrust, and Doubt, and Fear, And thoughtful Foresight, and tormenting Care; Far from the throne, the trembling Pleasures stand, Chained up, or exiled by her stern command. Wretched her subjects, gloomy sits the queen; Till happy Chance reverts the cruel scene; And apish Folly with her wild resort Of wit and jest disturbs the solemn court. See the fantastic minstrelsy advance, To breathe the song, and animate the dance. Blest the usurper! happy the surprise! Her mimic postures catch our eager eyes; Her jingling bells affect our captive ear; And in the sights we see, and sounds we hear, Against our judgment she our sense employs; The laws of troubled Reason she destroys; And in her place rejoices to indite Wild schemes of mirth, and plans of loose delight. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE OLD WOMAN by JOSEPH CAMPBELL DUTY SURVIVING SELF-LOVE; THE ONLY SURE FRIEND OF DECLINING LIFE by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE DARK ROSALEEN by TOMAS COSTELLO MIDWINTER BLUES by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES A MORNING THOUGHT by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL |