Association

Hail, social progress! each new moon is rife
With some new theory of social life,
Some matchless scheme ingeniously design'd
From half their miseries to free mankind;
On human wrongs triumphant war to wage,
And bring anew the glorious golden age.
"Association" is the magic word
From many a social "priest and prophet" heard;
"Attractive labour" is the angel given,
To render earth a sublunary heaven!
"Attractive labour!" ring the changes round,
And labour grows attractive in the sound;
And many a youthful mind, where haply lurk
Unwelcome fancies at the name of "work,"
Sees pleasant pastime in its longing view
Of "toil made easy" and "attractive" too —
And, fancy-rapt, with joyful ardour, turns
Delightful grindstones and seductive churns!
Inventive France! what wonder-working schemes
Astound the world whene'er a Frenchman dreams!
What fine-spun theories — ingenious, new,
Sublime, stupendous, everything but true!
One little favour, O "imperial France:"
Still teach the world to cook, to dress, to dance;
Let, if thou wilt, thy boots and barbers roam,
But keep thy morals and thy creeds at home!