Nor will they be concern'd at all
If Egypt now enslav'd, or free,
A Kingdom or a Province be.
What is become of all they did?
And what of all they had design'd,
Now death the busie Scene hath hid?
Where but in story shall we find
Those great disturbers of Mankind?
When Men their quiet Minutes spent
Where Mirtles grew and Fountains purl'd,
As safe as they were Innocent:
What angry God among them hurl'd
Ambition to undoe the World?
What is the charm of being Great?
Which oft is gain'd and lost with Sin,
Or if w' attain a Royal seat,
With Guiltless steps what do we win,
If Love and Honour fight within?
Honour the Brightness of the Mind!
And Love her noblest extasie:
That does our selves, this others bind.
When you great Pair shall disagree
What Casuist can the Ʋmpire be?
Though Love does all the heart subdue,
With gentle, but resistless sway;
Yet Honour must that govern too:
And when thus Honour wins the Day,
Love overcomes the bravest way.