Page:Generous libertine.pdf/2



HE libertine, while he is spreading miſery in families by giving a looſe to his licentiouſneſs, is certainly a character to be severely condemned; nothing can be ſaid in his defence, nothing urged by way of apology for the wanton cruelty of his conduct—But when the libertine is, in particular circumstances, suddenly reſtrained from carrying his infamous ſchemes into execution, and ſaves an amiable creature from deſtruction, who is thrown into his power by the vileſt of her sex, he ought ſurely to be applauded for the generoſity of his behaviour: it would be unjuſt, it would be uncharitable, not to ſay unchriſtian, to attempt to obſcure the luſtre of that action, by dwelling upon his diſhonourable triumphs over innocence and virtue.