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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]
  

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The Dignify'd Adulterer:
  
  


201

The Dignify'd Adulterer:

OR, The Libertine of Title.


208

The mighty Man, that rides in State,
Puff'd up with Wealth and Title;
Altho' his Sins are ne'er so great,
The Scandal is but little.
His publick Grandeur puts a Gloss
Upon his Crimes and Vices;
And tho' his Sins are ne'er so gross,
They never want Disguises.
What tho' h' as basely kill'd a Man
Wallow'd in Fornications?
His Chaplain soon can wash him clean,
With pious Dedications.
The Poets too will draw their Pens,
To vindicate his Honour;
Because they hope, to make Amends,
He'll prove a lib'ral Donor.
Designing Rogues and humble Slaves,
For Riches only prize Men;
And he that wins the Fools and Knaves,
Need never fear the wise Men.
Sappho obtain'd a God-like Fame,
By Parrots Proclamation;
So the rich Fool oft gets a Name,
By Poets Dedication.

209

If mighty Gods can thus be made,
By Birds unskilful chatt'ring;
What can't the Muses (if well pay'd)
Accomplish, by their flatt'ring?
'Tis they that cheat the Apes and Owls,
With Songs of Praise and Satyr;
And, by their Arts, draw little Fools
To idolize the greater.