The Year of Wonders Being a literal and poetical translation of an old Latin prophecy, found near Merlin's cave, By S---n D---k [i.e. Stephen Duck] |
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 | The Year of Wonders |  |
If Fell Corruption in each Scene appears,
Cherish'd by Youth, caress'd by Men in Years,
From the low Cottage to the House of P---
At C--- extinct all Sense of Honesty,
Priests as unhallowed as the Laity:
If British Honour, by the Knave and Fool
Exploded, sinks a Term of Ridicule:
Pardon this daring Essay of the Muse,
She must speak out, Poetick Licence use,
A Libertine by Truth alone restrain'd,
Paint the High Mighty Wicked of our Land;
Draw Fraud's just Pourtrait at full Length to Man,
In the best Colours, clearest Light she can.
Avaunt, enervating, base Flattery,
All Compliment, the Varnish of a Lye!
When Truth is told, whose is the grated Ear?
In Britain's Cause who launches out with Fear?
Th'advent'rous Muse no Prejudice would know,
Nor wound the Guiltless, nor offend the Law.
Long be the Law our Bulwark and Defence,
Dispens'd by Men of Honour, Men of Sense;
The Seat of Justice long be sacred held,
A Scourge to Vice, to Virtue a strong Shield.
Should Vice impeach, Virtue has nought to fear,
Where Justice runs in purest Channels clear.
Cherish'd by Youth, caress'd by Men in Years,
From the low Cottage to the House of P---
At C--- extinct all Sense of Honesty,
Priests as unhallowed as the Laity:
If British Honour, by the Knave and Fool
Exploded, sinks a Term of Ridicule:
Pardon this daring Essay of the Muse,
She must speak out, Poetick Licence use,
A Libertine by Truth alone restrain'd,
Paint the High Mighty Wicked of our Land;
Draw Fraud's just Pourtrait at full Length to Man,
In the best Colours, clearest Light she can.
Avaunt, enervating, base Flattery,
All Compliment, the Varnish of a Lye!
When Truth is told, whose is the grated Ear?
In Britain's Cause who launches out with Fear?
Th'advent'rous Muse no Prejudice would know,
Nor wound the Guiltless, nor offend the Law.
Long be the Law our Bulwark and Defence,
Dispens'd by Men of Honour, Men of Sense;
The Seat of Justice long be sacred held,
A Scourge to Vice, to Virtue a strong Shield.
4
Where Justice runs in purest Channels clear.
| The Year of Wonders | |