Page:Fears in Solitude - Coleridge (1798).djvu/12

 Pollutions from the brimming cup of wealth, A selfish, lewd, effeminated race, Contemptuous of all honourable rule, Yet bartering freedom, and the poor man's life, For gold, as at a market! The sweet words Of christian promise, words that even yet Might stem destruction, were they wisely preach'd, Are muttered o'er by men, whose tones proclaim, How flat and wearisome they feel their trade. Rank scoffers some, but most too indolent, To deem them falsehoods, or to know their truth. O blasphemous! the book of life is made A superstitious instrument, on which We gabble o'er the oaths we mean to break, For all must swear—all, and in every place, College and wharf, council and justice-court, All, all must swear, the briber and the brib'd, Merchant and lawyer, senator and priest, The rich, the poor, the old man and the young, All, all make up one scheme of perjury, That faith doth reel; the very name of God Sounds like a juggler's charm; and, bold with joy,