WHAT! no way left to shun th' inglorious stage, But this vile hour disperses all my store, And all my hoard of honour is no more; For ah! too partial to my life's decline, Cæsar persuades, submission must be mine; * This translation was first printed in one of our Author's earliest works, "The Present State of Learning in Europe," 12mo. 1759; but was omitted in the second edition, which appeared in 1774. Him I obey, whom Heaven itself obeys, Hopeless of pleasing, yet inclin'd to please. Here then at once I welcome every shame, And cancel at threescore a life of fame; No more my titles shall my children tell, The old buffoon will fit my name as well; This day beyond its term my fate extends, For life is ended when our honour ends. THE DOUBLE TRANSFORMATION. A TALE*. SECLUDED from domestic strife, Made him the happiest man alive; Such pleasures, unallay'd with care, Or Flavia been content to stop At triumphs in a Fleet-street shop. * This and the following Poem were published by DR. GOLDSMITH in his Volume of Essays which appeared in 1765. |