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For thee, ah! what for thee did I resign?

My passions, pleasures, all that e'er was mine:

I've sacrificed both modesty and ease;

Of thousand bright Inhabitants of Air!

If e'er one vision touch.'d thy infant thought,

Of all the Nurse and all the Priest have taught; 30

Who, careless now of interest, fame, or fate,

Perhaps forgets that Oxford e'er was great;

Or deeming meanest what we greatest call,

Adieu--if this advice appear the worst,

E'en take the counsel which I gave you first:

Or better precepts if you can impart,

Under this marble, or under this sill,

Or under this turf, or e'en what they will;

Whatever an heir, or a friend in his stead,

Deign to be loved, and every heart subdue!

What nymph could e'er attract such crowds as you? 70

Not she whose beauty urged the Centaur's arms,

Poor Umbra, left in this abandon'd pickle,

E'en sits him down, and writes to honest Tickell.