True, Decent, Just, are in its _Balance_ try'd,
And thence we learn to _Range, Compound, Divide_. 60
[Sidenote: _Invention and Memory_.]
A _Cave_ there is wherein those _Nymphs_ reside
Who all the Realms of _Sense_ and _Fancy_ guide;
Nay some affirm that in the deepest _Cell_
Imperial _Reason's_ self does not disdain to dwell:
With Living _Reed_ 'tis thatch'd and guarded round,
Which mov'd by _Winds_ emit a Silver Sound:
Two _Crystal Fountains_ near its _Entrance_ play, }
Wide scatt'ring _Golden Streams_ which ne'er decay, }
Two _Labyrinths_ behind harmonious Sounds convey: }
Chiefly, within, the _Room of State_ is fam'd 70
Of rich _Mosaick Work_ divinely fram'd:
Of small _Extent_ to view, 'twill all things hide,
Heav'n's Azure _Arch_ it self not half so wide:
Here all the _Arts_ their sacred Mansion chuse,
Here dwells the MOTHER of the Heav'n-born Muse:
With wond'rous mystic _Figures_ round 'tis wrought
_Inlaid_ with FANCY, and _anneal'd_ with _Thought_:
With more than humane Skill depicted here
The various _Images of Things_ appear;
What _Was_, or _Is_, or labours yet to _Be_ 80
Within the Womb of Dark _Futurity_,
May _Stowage_ in this wondrous _Storehouse_ find,
Yet leave unnumber'd empty _Cells_ behind:
But ah! as fast they come, they fly too fast,
Not _Life or Happiness are more in haste_:
Only the _First Great Mind_ himself can stay
The _Fugitives_ and at _one Glance_ survey;