University of Virginia Library

VI.

[A Miser justly claims these lines ingrav'd]

A Miser justly claims these lines ingrav'd,
Thus from oblivion, not damnation, sav'd;
For He who, by no precepts overaw'd,
Worships an idol, for the one true God;
He too, Lucretius beck'ning from his shelf,
Who with remorseless poniard stabs himself;
By Heaven detested, and despis'd by men,
May plead forgiveness, if a miser can.