Page:Trivia (John Gay) to which is added London (Samuel Johnson) (1809).djvu/76

66 Let such raise palaces, and manors buy, Collect a tax, or farm a lottery; With warbling eunuchs fill a licens'd stage, And lull to servitude a thoughtless age. Heroes, proceed! what bounds your pride shall hold? What check restrain your thirst of power and gold? Behold rebellious virtue quite o’erthrown; Behold our fame, our wealth, our lives, your own.
 * 'To such a groaning nation’s spoils are given,

When public crimes inflame the wrath of Heaven: But what, my friend, what hope remains for me, Who start at theft, and blush at perjury? Who scarce forbear, though Britain’s Court he sing, To pluck a titled poet’s borrow'd wing; A statesman’s logic unconvinc'd can hear, And dare to slumber o’er the Gazetteer; Despise a fool in half his pension dress'd, And strive in vain to laugh at H—y’s jest?
 * 'Others, with softer smiles, and subtler art,

Can sap the principles, or taint the heart; With more address a lover’s note convey, Or bribe a virgin’s innocence away.