< Page:Johnson - Rambler 2.djvu
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

N° 55.

THE RAMBLER.

7

certainly at last wish to have done; let us return the caresses of our friends, and endeavour by mutual endearments to heighten that tenderness which is the balm of life. Let us be quick to repent of injuries while repentance may not be a barren anguish, and let us open our eyes to every rival excellence, and pay early and willingly those honours which justice will compel us to pay at last.

Athanatus.

Numb. 55. Tuesday, Sept. 25, 1750.

Maturo propior desine funeri
Inter ludere virgines,
Et stellis nebulam spargere candidis.
Non siquid Pholoen satis,
Et te, Chlori, decet.———

Hor.

Now near to death that comes but slow,
Now thou art stepping down below;
Sport not amongst the blooming maids,
But think on ghosts and empty shades:
What suits with Pholoe in her bloom,
Grey Chloris, will not thee become;
A bed is different from a tomb.

Creech.

To the RAMBLER.

SIR,

I HAVE been but a little time conversant in the world, yet I have already had frequent opportunities of observing the little efficacy of remonstrance and complaint, which, however extorted by oppression, or supported by reason, are detested by one part of the world as rebellion, censured by another as peevishness, by some heard

This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.