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 Ambitious Mercenary:
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 | The Modern World disrob'd |  |
148
The Ambitious Mercenary:
OR, The Climbing Lawyer,
152
The
Law's a Labyrinth, that tries
The Patience of the Student,
Who knows it must be reckon'd wise,
Who shuns it, full as prudent.
The Patience of the Student,
Who knows it must be reckon'd wise,
Who shuns it, full as prudent.
153
It is so deep, so wide, so vast,
So powerful and commanding,
That, like God's Grace, 'tis almost past
All human Understanding.
So powerful and commanding,
That, like God's Grace, 'tis almost past
All human Understanding.
Of subtle Snares and Traps, 'tis full,
To catch unwary Fools in;
And has more cunning Paths, than all
The Kingdom that it rules in.
To catch unwary Fools in;
And has more cunning Paths, than all
The Kingdom that it rules in.
It makes the surly Clowns and Swains
Pay Homage to their Betters;
And binds the Rich with little Chains,
But loads the Poor with Fetters.
Pay Homage to their Betters;
And binds the Rich with little Chains,
But loads the Poor with Fetters.
It does the money'd Miser Right
Against his helpless Neighbour;
It gratifies the Great Man's Spite,
And makes the Needy labour.
Against his helpless Neighbour;
It gratifies the Great Man's Spite,
And makes the Needy labour.
It measures out the Bounds of Kings,
And keeps the Subject humble;
Who otherwise, at little Things,
Would be too apt to grumble.
And keeps the Subject humble;
Who otherwise, at little Things,
Would be too apt to grumble.
The Law it self is truly good;
Men would without be Devils;
But when not practis'd as it should,
It proves the worst of Evils.
Men would without be Devils;
But when not practis'd as it should,
It proves the worst of Evils.
Therefore, the Man, who, for a Fee
Or Bribe, shall misapply it,
In common Justice ought to be
Severely punish'd by it.
Or Bribe, shall misapply it,
In common Justice ought to be
Severely punish'd by it.
| The Modern World disrob'd | |