that external goods should be unequal,
Happiness is not made to consist in these, v.51. But, notwithstanding
that inequality, the balance of Happiness among Mankind is kept even by
Providence, by the two Passions of Hope and Fear, v.70. III. What the
Happiness of Individuals is, as far as is consistent with the
constitution of this world; and that the good Man has here the advantage,
V.77. The error of imputing to Virtue what are only the calamities of
Nature or of Fortune, v.94. IV. The folly of expecting that God should
alter His general Laws in favour of particulars, v.121. V. That we are
not judges who are good; but that, whoever they are, they must be
happiest, v.133, etc. VI. That external goods are not the proper
rewards, but often inconsistent with, or destructive of Virtue, v.165.
That even these can make no Man happy without Virtue: Instanced in
Riches, v.183. Honours, v.191. Nobility, v.203. Greatness, v.215.
Fame, v.235. Superior Talents, v.257, etc. With pictures of human
Infelicity in Men possessed of them all, v.267, etc. VII. That Virtue
only constitutes a Happiness, whose object is universal, and whose
prospect eternal, v.307, etc. That the perfection of Virtue and
Happiness consists in a conformity to the Order of Providence here, and a
Resignation to it here and hereafter, v.326, etc.

EPISTLE IV.

Oh, happiness, our being's end and aim!
Good, pleasure, ease, content! whate'er thy name:
That something still which prompts the eternal sigh,
For which we bear to live, or dare to die,
Which still so near us, yet beyond us lies,
O'erlooked, seen double, by the fool, and wise.
Plant of celestial seed! if dropped below,
Say, in what mortal soil thou deign'st to grow?
Fair opening to some Court's propitious shine,
Or deep with diamonds in the flaming mine?
Twined with the wreaths Parnassian laurels yield,
Or reaped in iron harvests of the field?
Where grows?--where grows it not? If vain our toil,
We ought to blame the culture, not the soil:
Fixed to no spot is happiness sincere,
'Tis nowhere to be found, or everywhere;
'Tis never to be bought, but always free,
And fled from monarchs, St. John! dwells with thee.
Ask of the learned the way? The learned are blind;
This bids to serve, and that to shun mankind;
Some place the bliss in action, some in ease,
Those call it pleasure, and contentment these;
Some, sunk to beasts, find pleasure end in pain;
Some, swelled to gods, confess e