WALLER or OVID scarce durst own 'em _theirs_.
The Learned _Goth_ has scowr'd all _Europe_'s Plains, }
_France, Spain_, and fruitful _Italy_ he _drains_, }
From every Realm and every Language _gains_: }
His _Gains_ a _Conquest_ are, and not a _Theft_;
He wishes still new _Worlds_ of _Wit_ were left:
Thus _haughty Rome_, when, all the _Firm_ surpass'd,
Her _Eagles_ found our _moated World_ at last; 650
Touching upon th' _unhospitable_ Coast,
_Good Laws_ bestow'd for our _wild Freedom_ lost;
With _Arts of Peace_ our stubborn Soil manur'd,
And _naked Limbs_ from _Frost_ and _Sun_ secur'd:
--But ah' how _dear_ the _Price_ of all we gain! }
What _Shoals of Vices_ with 'em cross'd the Main? }
What _Pride_, what _Luxury_, a foul, an odious Train? }
Who weighs, like _Galcacus_, the _Good_ with _Ill_,
Would wish they'd let us been _Barbarians_ still:
Such _thankless Pains Ignatian Firebrands_ take 660
An _honest Pagan_ spoil, and a _bad Christian_ make.
Blest be kind Heav'n, which wrap'd me in a _Gown_,
And drew me early from the _fatal Town_!
And blest _Her Name_, to endless Ages blest,
Who gave my weary _Muse_ this calm _Retreat_ and _Rest_.
True to my God, my Country, and my Friend, }
Here, may I Life, not _wholly useless_, spend, }
_Steal_ through the World, and _smiling_ meet my _End_! }
I envy not _Great Dryden_'s loftier Strain }
Of _Arms_ and _Men_ design'd to entertain, } 670
_Princes_ and _Courts_, so I but please the _Plain_: }
Nor would I barter _Profit_ for _Delight_,