Burthens like these vile earthly buildings bear;
No tribute's laid on castles in the air.
Let then the flames of war destructive reign, 275
And England's terrors awe imperious Spain;
Let ev'ry venal clan and neutral tribe
Learn to receive conditions-not prescribe ;
Let each new year call loud for new supplies,
And tax on tax with double burthen rise;
Exempt we sit, by no rude care oppres'd,
And having little are with little bles'd.
All real ills in dark oblivion lie,
And joys by fancy form'd their place supply; Night's laughing hours unheeded slip away, 285 Nor one dull thought foretels approach of day.
Thus have we liv'd, and, whilst the Fates afford Plain plenty to supply the frugal board,
Whilst Mirth with Decency, his lovely bride,
And wine's gay god,with Temp'rance by his side,290
Their welcome visit pay, whilst Health attends
The narrow circle of our chosen friends,
Whilst frank Good-humour consecrates the treat,
And women makes society complete,
Thus will we live, tho' in our teeth are hurl'd 295
Those hackney strumpets, Prudence and the World.
Prudence, of old a sacred term, imply'd
Virtue, with godlike Wisdom for her guide,
But now in gen'ral use is known to mean
The stalking-horse of Vice, and Folly's screen. 300
The sense perverted we retain the name;
Hypocrisy and Prudence are the same.
A tutor once, more read in men than books, A kind of crafty knowledge in his looks, Demurely sly, with high preferment bless'd, His fav'rite pupil in these words address'd : “Would'st thou, my Son! be wise and virtuous
By all mankind a prodigy esteem'd ?
[deem'd, Be this thy rule; be what men Prudent call; Prudence, Almighty Prudence! gives thee all. 310 Keep up appearances; there lies the test;
The world will give thee credit for the rest.
Outward be fair, however foul within;
Sin if thou wilt, but then in secret sin.
This maxim's into common favour grown;
Vice is no longer vice, unless 'tis known.
Virtue indeed may barefac'd take the field;
But vice is virtue when 'tis well conceal'd.
Should raging passions drive thee to a whore;
Let Prudence lead thee to a postern door :
Stay out all night, but take especial care
That Prudence brings thee back to early prayer.
As one with watching and with study faint,
Reel in a drunkard and reel out a saint.'
With joy the youth this useful lesson heard, 325. And in his mem'ry stor'd each precious word, Successfully pursu'd the plan, and now,
"Room for my Lord-Virtue, stand by and bow.
And is this all is this the worldling's art, To mask but not amend a vicious heart? Shall lukewarm caution, and demeanor grave For wise and good stamp ev'ry supple knave ? Shall wretches, whom no real virtue warms, Gild fair their names and states with empty forms; Whilst Virtue seeks in vain the wish'd-for prize, 335 Because, disdaining ill, she hates disguiseBecause she frankly pours forth all her store, Seems what she is, and scorns to pass for more? Well-be it so-let vile dissemblers hold Unenvi'd power, and boast their dear-bought gold; Me neither pow'r shall tempt nor thirst of pelf 340 To flatter others, or deny myself:
Might the whole world be plac'd within my span,
I would not be that thing-that prudent man.
"What!" cries SirPliant, "would you then oppose
Yourself, alone, against an host of foes?
Let not conceit and peevish lust to rail,
Above all sense of interest prevail.
Throw off, for shame! this petulence of wit ;
Be wise, be modest, and for once submit:
Too hard the task 'gainst multitudes to fight:
You must be wrong the World is in the right."
What is this World? a term which men have got
To signify not one in ten knows what;
A term which with no more precision passes. 355 To point out herds of men than herds of asses;
In common use no more it means, we find,
Than many fools in same opinions join'd.
Can numbers then change Nature's stated laws?
Can numbers make the worse the better cause? 360
Vice must be vice, virtue be virtue still,
Tho' thousands rail at good and practice ill.
Would'st thou defend the Gaul's destructive rage,
Because vast nations on his part engage?
Tho' to support the rebel Cæsar's cause
Tumultuous legions arm against the laws,
Tho' Scandal would our patriot's name impeach,
And rails at virtues which she cannot reach;
What honest man, but would with joy submit
To bleed with Cato and retire with Pitt?
Steadfast and true to Virtue's sacred laws,
Unmov'd by vulgar censure or applause;
LettheWorldtalk, myFriend! that World, we know,
Which calls us guilty, cannot make us so.
Unaw'd by numbers, follow Nature's plan ;
Assert the rights, or quit the name of man.
Consider well, weigh strictly right and wrong;
Resolve not quick, but once resolv'd be strong.
In spite of Dulness and in spite of Wit,
If to thyself thou canst thyself acquit;
Rather stand up, assur'd with conscious pride,
Alone, than err with millions on thy side.
AN EPISTLE
TO WILLIAM HOGARTH.
AMONGT the sons of men how few are known
Who dare be just to merit not their own?
Superior virtue and superior sense
To knaves and fools will always give offence;
Nay, men of real worth can scarcely bear,
So nice is jealousy, a rival there.
Be wicked as thou wilt; do all that's base;
Proclaim thyself the monster of thy race:
Let vice and folly thy black soul divide;
Be proud with meanness, and be mean with pride: 10
Deaf to the voice of Faith and Honour, fall
From side to side, yet be of none at all:
Spurn all those charities, those sacred ties,
Which nature in her bounty, good as wise,
To work our safety and ensure her plan
Contriv'd to bind and rivet man to man :
Lift against virtue, Power's oppressive rod,
Betray thy country and deny thy God;
And, in one gen'ral comprehensive line
Το group, which volumes scarcely could define, 20
Whate'er of sin and dulness can be said,
Join to a F's heart a D's head ;
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