Thither decoy'd by blandishments-or worse,He'll tell-that step was mark'd with every curse ! Struck with disease-and blasted ere his prime,— And, daily, punish'd-for a transient crime.These each too well can paint the woes that wait, Unhallow'd love-from their peculiar state.

What is the crime that in this land thrives not? God's holy name blasphem'd—his laws forgot:Even sacred oaths are now a mockery made,The scorn of wealth-the veriest scorn of trade.— Envy with Calumny-now holds her reign, Lying and falsehood-all that's low and mean,Ambition's little arts-here prosper well,-And every youth is told, would he excelHe must perform the low dissembler's part, His face at variance with his very heart :For such the path that fame and honour wait, That leads to honours-or to high estate.Ambition true-is banished from the shore, And singleness of heart- is found no more.

Say then-what virtues we to these oppose,
In manners-customs-polity or laws?
No virtues; but their semblance, we shall find,
Our manners new-our conduct seeming kind,

Civil and formal words produce-mere sounds :-
Whilst in the heart-self, only self, abounds.--
To self is every thought-and look apply'd,
And every generous feeling is deny'd

A single place-which we should more esteem,
Than all the follies of ambition's dream.-
For self the sparkling bowl-the feast is giv'n;—
Attentions paid-in mockery of high heav'n.—
For self each artful bow-each fawning smile:—
That can the sense allure-or heart beguile:-
Yes-all the catalogue of base deceit,
Such paths attend-and on such footsteps wait.

A thing call'd Honour-takes Religion's place, Made up of folly-pregnant with disgrace; — For know-whoe'er thou art-whate'er thy name, True Honour and Religion are the same.This Honour-in the sword and pistol lie ;Such instruments-Religion's place supply.— If wife or sister-or a daughter fall To base design a prey-these cover all The faults-the veriest villain can enact.This, who can doubt-it is a stubborn fact.He who has practis'd on the guileless heart, And acted the deceiver's-graceless-part :There sown distress-and every poignant grief Almost too much for any one's belief,

Rending the peace of mind-which all should bless,
And for that giving nothing-save distress.-
Let HIM but draw his sword-with well taught art,
And plunge it through the injur'd husband's heart :
Or-let him the infuriate brother meet

On Honour's field-and stretch him at his feet:-
Then-then-indeed, he's honorable nam'd,
And his great prowess, every where proclaim'd.—
If at the dice the gamester proves his skill,
By plundering the unwary-at his will:—
Provide he plunderers under forms-and dare,
With loaded pistol meet his victim-where
The whizzing messenger of death may through
That heart pass-he had labour'd to undo ;—
Ridding that victim of a life of pain,
He's deem'd a man, without one single stain.—
Though crime to crime be added-ill to ill,
Ah! murder black-he's honourable still!-
No vice-no villainy its name retains

If he who dares do them-lets go the reins,
And dare do more-even to attack the life,
Of him he wrong'd-in person of his wife.—
With loaded guilt-who dares to brave his God,
His threatenings laugh at-or despise his rod.-
Such are the substitute of virtuous deeds;-
No matter how diversified our creeds :-

And such the manners of our British Isles,
Where peace now rears her head-and plenty smiles.

No doubt-in every clime there are a few,
Who practice virtue with a reverence due :-
Who worship Truth, and bright exceptions stand,
Fair-living-lucid, in a guilty land:-

Yet who can doubt the fulness of these times,
With guilt o'erloaded-satiate with crimes?
Behold!-MESSIAH-the great Saviour come :-
Listen ye unbelievers-now be dumb:-
But-stop my muse-whilst I, with holy care,
Address my Lord-in penitence and pray'r :-
In fervent pray'r—a suppliant at his throne,
The great-the pow'rful-the Almighty one
If-haply—but one ray of Light Divine,
Might fall on me-to harmonize each line,
Of this my song-to brighten as they flow,--
Till with a holy zeal-they purely glow.

END OF BOOK I.

THE

MILLENNIUM.