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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]
Ward, Edward (1667-1731)
  
[epigraph]

expand sectionI. 
[PART I.]
collapse sectionII. 
PART II.
  
The Modish Gentleman:
  
The Corrupt Statesman:
  
The Trimming Guide:
  
The Beau-Officer:
  
The Ambitious Mercenary:
  
The Prodigal Upstart:
  
The Severe Magistrate:
  
Riches acquir'd before Discretion:
  
The States-man's Minion:
  
The Promissory Gentleman:
  
The Temporizing Zealot:
  
The Dignify'd Adulterer:
  
Sir Narcissus Foplin:
  
The Worthy Patriot:

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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.
Th'aspiring Soul no Rest can find,
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;
Are spurr'd by Av'rice, Pride, Revenge,
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.
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.
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?
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.
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