Page:An Epistle to Curio - Akenside (1744).djvu/12

 I scorn'd th' ungenerous Gloss of slavish Minds, The Owl-ey'd Race, whom Virtue's Lustre blinds. Spite of the Learned in the Ways of Vice, And all who prove that each Man has his Price, I still believ'd thy End was just and free; And yet, ev'n yet believe it spite of thee. Ev'n tho' thy Mouth impure has dar'd disclaim, Urg'd by the wretched Impotence of Shame, Whatever filial Cares thy Zeal had paid To Laws infirm and Liberty decayed; Has begg'd Ambition to forgive the Show; Has told Corruption thou wert ne'er her Foe; Has boasted in thy Country's awful Ear, Her gross Delusion when she held thee dear; How tame she follow'd thy tempestuous Call, And heard thy pompous Tales, and trufted all Rise from your sad Abodes, ye Curst of old For Laws subverted and for Cities sold! Rh