 | Epigrams: Divine and Moral |  |
5. A certaine ancient Philosopher did hereby insinuate, how necessary a thing the administration of Justice was: and to be alwaies vigilant in the judicious distribution of punishment, and recompence.
Seeing by the multitude of those offend,The shame of sin's diminish'd now in such
A measure, that a common crime, in end
Will cease to be accounted a reproach:
J am affray'd, that (if iniquitie
Be suffer'd thus to propagate) it will
With bad example safer be to stray,
Then to prove singular in doing well:
Nor is this grievous inconvenience (tho
Pernicious to the state) to be withstood,
Jf any the least care be wanting to
Chastise the wicked, and reward the good:
Which Law each Prince should in his bosome nourish;
That Vice may be supprest: and vertue flourish.
| Epigrams: Divine and Moral | |