 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
ABUSE and FLATTERY.
Like Hail, that strikes with force, yet leaves no wound,But harmless falls, and wastes upon the ground;
Abuse, when undeserv'd, we safe abide,
Her Arrows conscious Virtue turns aside:
But ah!—like Rain that gently falling, cleaves,
While the drench'd garb the dang'rous guest receives;
Flatt'ry, soft stealing, easy entrance finds,
And proves the bane of unsuspecting minds:
To the Soul's core the Phantom steals unknown,
Health flies, and Fever fills the vacant throne;
Entranc'd a while we skim a Fairy coast,
Nor from th' illusion wake, 'till we are lost.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |