The London-Spy Compleat In Eighteen Parts :: :: University of Virginia Library

Do most thro' Int'rest, and but few thro' Zeal,
Betwixt the Laws and the Offender deal.
Poor Sinners may their Persecution Fear,
As Cozening Bakers do a strict Lord-Mayor.
But the Gay Curtezan who Trades for Gold,
That can but grease a Palm when she's in bold,
No Justice need she dread, or Bridewel fear;
But without danger Sin from Year to Year.
Or need the Mony'd Libertine e'er see,
The Awful Brows of Stern Authority:
But Drink and Swear till weary of his Vice,
Would he Sin on at an Informers Price:
Who chose their Pious Office for its Gain,
To dwell upon the Sins of other Men:
Not with a good Intent to Vice reclaim,
Or bring Offenders into open shame.
Few do we see that are Examples made,
But the poor Strumpet, or the starving Blade,
Who wanting Money, do the Scourge endure,
Not punish'd for their Vice, but being Poor.

Vice deserves Publick Punishment, 'tis true,
But those that Live upon the Ills I do,
And on my Failings for their Bread relye,
Do what good Mortals cannot justifie.
If the Poor Harlot shall her Soul Betray,
For Money, which Informers take away

365

To let her go; it is the Worlds Belief,
The Receiver's full as guilty as the Thief.

If I by chance am Drunk, or should I Swear,
The Man that does against me Witness bear,
Purely to share the Money in my Purse.
I'm bad 'tis true, but such a Knave is worse.
If what he does is with a true Intent,
Of bringing Vice to Shame and Punishment;
And well considers if himself be free,
From all those Failings he Condemns in me:
If not, 'tis not true Zeal, but Impudence,
For him t'Accuse the Offender of Offence;
The Hangman more may say in his Defence.
Those Vermin who for Interest do engage,
To dabble in the Vices of the Age;
By subtle means draw silly Creatures in,
And Devil-like, first tempt 'em to the Sin:
No sooner gain'd the Wanton Dames Consent,
But Drag the Wretch away to Punishment,
Less she has Money; or if none, agree
To Pawn her Cloaths to purchase Liberty.
Such are the Scum that do the Town Infect,
Much worse than those they've hired to Detect:
Some loose Shabroon in Bawdy-Houses Bred,
By others Vices like their own are Fed.
A Scoundrel Crew, that o'er the City swarm,
Who by false Accusations do more harm
To Guiltless Persons, fearful to dispute,
Than all the sorry Jilts they Persecute.
If heedless Youth in an Ill House they find,
Dropt in as Strangers, and no Ill design'd,
Void of Offence; yet Bribe to be let go,
Fearing their Masters or their Friends shou'd know:
What is it less in him that takes the Fee,
Than picking Pockets by Authoritie?

366

What Moral Zealot Justly can afford,
To Mercenary Shammocks one good Word,
Who live by Filthy means like Flies upon a T---d.