The Modern World disrob'd or, both sexes Stript of their pretended vertue. In Two Parts. First, Of the Ladies. Secondly, Of the Gentlemen. With Familiar Descant upon every Character [by Edward Ward] |
 | I. |
| II. |
The Corrupt Statesman:
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 | The Modern World disrob'd |  |
127
The Corrupt Statesman:
OR, The Compleat Courtier.
132
Ambition
is a noble Spur,
And the sublimest Passion;
It makes the Hero fly to War,
In Hopes to raise his Station.
And the sublimest Passion;
It makes the Hero fly to War,
In Hopes to raise his Station.
Th'aspiring Soul no Rest can find,
Ambition rides upon her;
And still provokes the gen'rous Mind
To soar in Search of Honour.
Ambition rides upon her;
And still provokes the gen'rous Mind
To soar in Search of Honour.
But Knaves, who by ignoble Ways
Shall hunt the Game that's noble,
And grow most infamously base,
To give their Country Trouble;
Shall hunt the Game that's noble,
And grow most infamously base,
To give their Country Trouble;
Are spurr'd by Av'rice, Pride, Revenge,
Such diabolick Passions,
To ruin Kingdoms, and unhinge
The Government of Nations.
Such diabolick Passions,
To ruin Kingdoms, and unhinge
The Government of Nations.
Such trayt'rous Sycophants profane
True Honour and Ambition,
In trampling over worthy'r Men,
To mend their own Condition.
True Honour and Ambition,
In trampling over worthy'r Men,
To mend their own Condition.
133
For he who does true Honour seek,
Is careful to maintain it,
And cannot do a shameful Trick,
Or cruel Deed, to gain it.
Is careful to maintain it,
And cannot do a shameful Trick,
Or cruel Deed, to gain it.
The Fool that does, must lose his End,
And be but Honour's Bubble;
For how can what's ignoble tend,
To make a Knave more noble?
And be but Honour's Bubble;
For how can what's ignoble tend,
To make a Knave more noble?
Climb as you can, but Spite of Pride,
Be just in e'ery Station;
For none but Villains e'er comply'd
To sell their King or Nation.
Be just in e'ery Station;
For none but Villains e'er comply'd
To sell their King or Nation.
| The Modern World disrob'd | |