Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

In

Condemn'd (whilst proud and pamper'd sons of lawn,
Cramm'd to the throat, in lazy plenty yawn) 350
pomp of rev'rend beggary to appear,
To pray, and starve on forty pounds a-year.
My friends, who never felt the galling load,
Lament that I forsook the packhorse road,
Whilst Virtue to my conduct witness bears,
In throwing off that gown which Francis wears.
What creature's that, so very pert and prim,
very full of foppery and whim,
So gentle, yet so brisk; so wondrous sweet,
So fit to prattle at a lady's feet,

So

355

360

Who looks as he the Lord's rich vineyard trod,
And by his garb appears a man of God?
Trust not to looks, nor credit outward show;
The villain lurks beneath the cassock'd beau :
That's an informer; what avails the name? 365
Suffice it that the wretch from Sodom came.
His tongue is deadly-from his presence run,
Unless thy rage would wish to be undone.
No ties can hold him, no affection bind,
And fear alone restrains his coward mind;
Free him from that, no monster is so fell,
Nor is so sure bloodhound found in hell.
His silken smiles, his hypocritic air,
His meek demeanour, plausible and fair,
Are only worn to pave Fraud's easier way,
And make gull'd Virtue fall a surer prey.

370

375

Attend his church-his plan of doctrine view-
The preacher is a Christian, dull, but true;
But when the hallow'd hour of preaching 's o'er,
That plan of doctrine 's never thought of more; 380
Christ is laid by neglected on the shelf,

And the vile priest is Gospel to himself.

385

By Cleland tutor'd, and with Blacow bred,
(Blacow, whom, by a brave resentment led,
Oxford, if Oxford had not sunk in fame,
Ere this had damn'd to everlasting shame)
Their steps he follows, and their crimes partakes ;
To virtue lost, to vice alone he wakes,
Most lusciously declaims 'gainst luscious themes,
And whilst he rails at blasphemy blasphemes. 390
Are these the arts which policy supplies?

Are these the steps by which grave churchmen rise?
Forbid it, Heav'n! or, should it turn out so,
Let me and mine continue mean and low.
Such be their arts whom interest controls;
Kidgell and I have free and honest souls :
We scorn preferment which is gain'd by sin,
And will, tho' poor without, have peace within. 398

395

C

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[ocr errors]
[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

inted for John Bell,ncar Exeter Exchange Strand London June 4th 1779

« AnteriorContinuar »