OF ETON COLLEGE.

The captive linnet, which enthral ?
What idle progeny succeed
To chafe the rolling circle's speed,
Or urge the flying ball?

While some on earneſt bufineſs bent
Their murm'ring labours ply
'Gainſt graver hours, that bring conſtraint
To sweeten liberty :
Some bold adventurers diſdain
The limits of their little reign,
And unknown regions dare defcry :
Still as they run they look behind,
They hear a voice in every wind,
And ſnatch a fearful joy.

Gay hope is theirs by fancy fed,
Leſs pleafing when poſſeſt ;
The tear forgot as soon as ſhed,
The ſunſhine of the breaſt :

Theirs

58 ODE ON A DISTANT PROSPECT

Their buxom Health, of rofy hue,
Wild wit, Invention ever-new,
And lively Cheer of Vigour born;
The thoughtlefs day, the eafy night,
The spirits pure, the flumbers light,
That fly th' approach of morn.

Alas! regardlefs of their doom,
The little victims play!
No fenfe have they of ills to come,
Nor care beyond to-day :
Yet fee, how all around 'em wait
The minifters of human fate,
And black Misfortune's baleful train!
Ah, show them where in ambufh fland,
To feize their prey, the murderous band!
Ah, tell them they are men!

Thefe shall the fury paffions tear,
The vultures of the mind,

Difdainful

58 ODE ON A DISTANT PROSPECT

Alas! regardless of their doom,
The little victims play !
Nofenfe have they of ills to come,
Nor care beyond to-day :
Yet fee, how all around 'em wait
The minifters of human fate,
And black Misfortune's baleful train!
Ah, show them where in ambuſhland,
To feize their prey, the murderous band!
Ah, tell them they are men !

Thefe fhall the fury paffions teaz,
The vultures of the mind,

Difdainful

QPCARD 101 1/3

B1992.8.11(9) ba- obj- 3604 -0002

This Image has been Color Corrected:
Disregard any color charts in the Image area

97L

50L

20L

Yale Center for British Art, 2010