An Imitation of HORACE, Book III. Ode 2. Angustam amice, &c

He that would great in science grow, By whom bright Virtue is ador'd, At first must be content to know An humble roof, an homely board.

With want and rigid college laws Let him, inur'd betimes, comply; Firm to religion's sacred cause, The learned combat let him try;

Let him her envied praises tell, And all his eloquence disclose The fierce endeavours to repel, And still the tumult of her foes.

Him early form'd, and season'd young, Subtle opposers soon will fear, And tremble at his artful tongue, Like Parthians at the Roman spear.

Grim death, th' inevitable lot Which fools and cowards strive to fly, Is with a noble pleasure sought By him who dares for truth to die.

With purest lustre of her own Exalted Virtue ever shines, Nor, as the vulgar smile or frown, Advances now, and now declines.

A glorious and immortal prize, She on her hardy son bestows, She shews him heaven, and bids him rise, Though pain, and toil, and death oppose: With lab'ring flight he wings th' obstructed way, Leaving both common souls and common clay.