Folium Librorum Vitae Deditum. Jaargang 2

[But what strange art, what magic can dispose]

But what strange art, what magic can dispose
The troubled mind to change its native woes?
Or lead us willing from ourselves, to see
Others more wretched, more undone than we?
This, books can do; nor this alone; they give
New views to life, and teach us how to live;
They soothe the griev'd the stubborn they chastise,
Fools they admonish and confirm the wise:
Their aid they yield to all; they never shun
The man of sorrow, nor the wretch undone:
Unlike the hardy the selfish, and the proud.
They fly not sullen from the suppliant crowd;
Nor tell to various people various things.
But show to subjects what they show to kings.

George Crabbe
The Library