The Second Part of Original Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

'Twas said, by those of old, Beware,
Consider well before you swear.
The Counsel's good without dispute,
And ev'ry prudent Man will do't.
But, if you've sworn (be added now)
Take heed how you perform your Vow.

How, Sir! a Casuist replies,
(And wildly stares with both his Eyes)
Pray have a care, lest what you say
Takes all the Force of Oaths away.

Mistake me not, good Sir; what I
From that Precaution would imply,
Is this;—an Oath perform'd, may be
Ruin, perhaps, or Injury,

To One, or more:—then I aver,
The Breach of such an Oath is far
Less sinful than it was to swear.

What's this to me? the Reader cries:
Poor Stuff! Will Poets ne'er be wise!
But scribble, without Wit, dull Rhyme,
Meerly to fool away the Time:
How comes this Dreamer else to fall
On Matters casuistical?

Stay, stay, my angry Friend, forbear,
Nor thus condemn before you hear.
Poets, delighted with the Chimes
Of flowing Verse, and easy Rhimes,
Mistaken, dance enchanted Rounds,
Forsaking Sense for empty Sounds:
This is acknowledg'd, to their Shame,
But are not Readers too to blame?
To blame! for what?—Your self have shown,
By judging ere the Case is known.

The Case! what Case? Pray read the Story.
Where is it? Why it lies before ye.