Page:The Village - Crabbe (1783).djvu/34

 But can we less the senseless rage despise, Because the savage acts without disguise?

Yet here Disguise, the city's vice, is seen, And Slander steals along and taints the Green At her approach domestic peace is gone, Domestic broils at her approach come on; She to the wife the husband's crime conveys, She tells the husband when his consort strays; Her busy tongue, through all the little state, Diffuses doubt, suspicion, and debate; Peace, tim'rous goddess! quits her old domain, In sentiment and long content to reign.

Nor are the nymphs that breathe the rural air So fair as Cynthia's, nor so chaste as fair; These to the town afford each fresher face, And the Clown's trull receives the Lord's embrace; From