The power of sympathy, or, The triumph of nature founded in truth |
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| 25. | LETTER XXV.
MYRA to HARRIOT.
(Written before she had received the preceding.) |
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 | The power of sympathy, or, The triumph of nature |  |
114
LETTER XXV.
MYRA to HARRIOT.
(Written before she had received the preceding.)
BOSTON.
Your sorrowful little history has
infected me with grief. Surely there is no
human vice of so black a die—so fatal in its
confequences—or which causes a more general
calamity, than that of seducing a female
from the path of honour. This idea has
been improved by my brother, on the hint
of your favour—as an acknowledgment for
which I inclose you his production.
115
[The Inclosed.]
The Court of Vice.
An APOLOGUE.
VICE “on a solemn night of state,
In all her pomp of terrour sate,”
Her voice in deep, tremendous tone,
Thus issu'd from her ebon throne:
`This night at our infernal court,
`Let all our ministers refort;
`Who most annoys the human race,
`At our right hand shall take his place,
`Rais'd on a throne—advanc'd in fame—
`Ye CRIMES now vindicate your claim.'
Eager for praise, the hideous host,
All spake, aspiring to the post.
PRIDE said, to gain his private ends,
He sacrific'd his dearest friends;
Infulted all with manners rude,
And introduc'd ingratitude.
'Twas he infus'd domestick hate,
And party spirit in the slate;
VICE “on a solemn night of state,
In all her pomp of terrour sate,”
Her voice in deep, tremendous tone,
Thus issu'd from her ebon throne:
`This night at our infernal court,
`Let all our ministers refort;
`Who most annoys the human race,
`At our right hand shall take his place,
`Rais'd on a throne—advanc'd in fame—
`Ye CRIMES now vindicate your claim.'
Eager for praise, the hideous host,
All spake, aspiring to the post.
PRIDE said, to gain his private ends,
He sacrific'd his dearest friends;
Infulted all with manners rude,
And introduc'd ingratitude.
'Twas he infus'd domestick hate,
And party spirit in the slate;
116
Hop'd they'd observe his mystick plan,
Destroy'd all confidence in man;
And justify'd his high pretentions,
By caufing envy and diffentions.
INTEMP'RANCE loud, demands the place,
He'd long deceiv'd the human race;
None could such right as he maintain,
Disease and death were in his train.
THEFT next appears to claim the station,
E'er constant in his dark vocation;
He thought the place might well repay,
The crime who labeur'd night and day.
FRAUD own'd (tho' loth to speak his praise)
He gain'd his point by secret ways;
His voice in cities had been heard,
And oft in senates been preferr'd!
Yet much derision had he borne,
Treated by honest fools with scorn;
His influence on the western shore
Was not so great as heretofore:
He own'd each side alike assail'd
Complain'd how sadly he was rail'd,
Curst by the name in ev'ry street,
Of Paper, Tendry, Rogue and Cheat:
Destroy'd all confidence in man;
And justify'd his high pretentions,
By caufing envy and diffentions.
INTEMP'RANCE loud, demands the place,
He'd long deceiv'd the human race;
None could such right as he maintain,
Disease and death were in his train.
THEFT next appears to claim the station,
E'er constant in his dark vocation;
He thought the place might well repay,
The crime who labeur'd night and day.
FRAUD own'd (tho' loth to speak his praise)
He gain'd his point by secret ways;
His voice in cities had been heard,
And oft in senates been preferr'd!
Yet much derision had he borne,
Treated by honest fools with scorn;
His influence on the western shore
Was not so great as heretofore:
He own'd each side alike assail'd
Complain'd how sadly he was rail'd,
Curst by the name in ev'ry street,
Of Paper, Tendry, Rogue and Cheat:
117
Yet if some honour should requite
His labour—things might still go right.
MURDER before the footstool stood,
With tatter'd robe distain'd in blood.
`And who,' he cry'd, with daring face,
`Denies my title to the place?
`My watchful eyes mankind furvey,
`And single out the midnight prey;
`Not cowardlike I meet the foe,
With footsteps infecure and slow,
`Or cause his death by languid strife—
`Boldly this dagger ends his life.
`Give back, ye CRIMES, your claims resign
`For I demand the post as mine.
AV'RICE declar'd his love of gold;
His nation, or himself he fold;
He taught the sin of PRIDE betimes;
Was foster-father of all crimes:
He pawn'd his life; he stak'd his soul,
And found employment for the whole:
Acknowledg'd that he gain'd his wealth,
By FRAUD, by MURDER and by STEALTH:
On one so useful in her cause,
VICE well might lavish due applause.
His labour—things might still go right.
MURDER before the footstool stood,
With tatter'd robe distain'd in blood.
`And who,' he cry'd, with daring face,
`Denies my title to the place?
`My watchful eyes mankind furvey,
`And single out the midnight prey;
`Not cowardlike I meet the foe,
With footsteps infecure and slow,
`Or cause his death by languid strife—
`Boldly this dagger ends his life.
`Give back, ye CRIMES, your claims resign
`For I demand the post as mine.
AV'RICE declar'd his love of gold;
His nation, or himself he fold;
He taught the sin of PRIDE betimes;
Was foster-father of all crimes:
He pawn'd his life; he stak'd his soul,
And found employment for the whole:
Acknowledg'd that he gain'd his wealth,
By FRAUD, by MURDER and by STEALTH:
On one so useful in her cause,
VICE well might lavish due applause.
118
The hagger'd host bow low the head,
The Monster rofe, and thus she said:
`Ye ministers of VICE, draw near,
`For fame no longer persevere;
`No more your various parts disclose,
`Men see, and hate you all as foes.
`One yet remains among your crew,
`Then rise, SEDUCTION! claim your due.
`Your baleful presence quickly parts
`The tie that holds the happiest hearts;
`You rob—what wealth can ne'er repay;
`Like Judas with a kiss betray:
`Hence come the starving, trembling train,
`Who prostitute themselves for gain,
`Whose lanquid visages impart
`A smile, while anguish knaws the heart;
`Whose steps decoy unwary youth,
`From honour, honesty, and truth,
`Which follow'd 'till too late to mend,
`In ruin, and the gallows end—
`Be thine the post. Besides, who knows
`Where all thy consequences close?
`With thee, SEDUCTION! are ally'd
`HORROUR, DESPAIR and SUICIDE.
`YOU wound—but the devoted heart
`Feels not alone—the poignant smart:
The Monster rofe, and thus she said:
`Ye ministers of VICE, draw near,
`For fame no longer persevere;
`No more your various parts disclose,
`Men see, and hate you all as foes.
`One yet remains among your crew,
`Then rise, SEDUCTION! claim your due.
`Your baleful presence quickly parts
`The tie that holds the happiest hearts;
`You rob—what wealth can ne'er repay;
`Like Judas with a kiss betray:
`Hence come the starving, trembling train,
`Who prostitute themselves for gain,
`Whose lanquid visages impart
`A smile, while anguish knaws the heart;
`Whose steps decoy unwary youth,
`From honour, honesty, and truth,
`Which follow'd 'till too late to mend,
`In ruin, and the gallows end—
`Be thine the post. Besides, who knows
`Where all thy consequences close?
`With thee, SEDUCTION! are ally'd
`HORROUR, DESPAIR and SUICIDE.
`YOU wound—but the devoted heart
`Feels not alone—the poignant smart:
119
`YOU wound—th' electrick pain extends
`To fathers, mothers, sisters, friends.
`MURDER may yet delight in blood,
`And deluge round the crimson flood;
`But fure his merits rank above,
`Who murders in the mask of love.'
`To fathers, mothers, sisters, friends.
`MURDER may yet delight in blood,
`And deluge round the crimson flood;
`But fure his merits rank above,
`Who murders in the mask of love.'
| The power of sympathy, or, The triumph of nature | |