The Salutary Disappointment

With anxious thought an author pil'd
His labour'd volumes high and fair,
And now he sigh'd, and now he smil'd,
As rul'd alternate, hope and care.

At length confirm'd, erect he rose,
For lo! inspiring pride appears,
With all her fire his bosom glows,
While the bold wish he thus declares.

This monument shall bear my name
In spite of time's destroying hand,
Thy votary hear, auspicious fame,
To future ages let it stand!

Old time was posting by in haste,
Not complaisant enough to stay,
His wing just touch'd it as he past,
In dust the boasted trophy lay.

The author fainted at the sight,
But virtue came forgiving, kind,
When pride retreats 'tis her delight
To animate the drooping mind.

No more, mistaken youth (she cries)
No more invoke deluding fame,
But let thy nobler wishes rise,
Heaven only gives a deathless name.