I. <br />Of all the springs within the mind <br />Which prompt her steps in fortune's maze, <br />From none more pleasing aid we find <br />Than from the genuine love of praise. <br /> <br />II. <br />Nor any partial, private end <br />Such reverence to the public bears; <br />Nor any passion, virtue's friend, <br />So like to virtue's self appears. <br /> <br />III. <br />For who in glory can delight <br />Without delight in glorious deeds? <br />What man a charming voice can slight, <br />Who courts the echo that succeeds? <br /> <br />IV. <br />But not the echo on the voice <br />More, than on virtue praise, depends; <br />To which, of course, it's real price <br />The judgment of the praiser lends. <br /> <br />V. <br />If praise then with religious awe <br />From the sole perfect judge be sought, <br />A nobler aim, a purer law <br />Nor priest, nor bard, nor sage hath taught. <br /> <br />VI. <br />With which in character the same <br />Tho' in an humbler sphere it lies, <br />I count that soul of human fame, <br />The suffrage of the good and wise.<br /><br />Mark Akenside<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-v-on-love-of-praise/
