With midnight dagger-Why so shock'd appear?

Gold's now his master; must he not obey?

The landsman braves the perils of the Sea,
In quest of wealth 'gainst ev'ry danger bold;
He fears nor rocks nor tempests, no not he!
The needle of his compass points to Gold.

The bounty lures; th' unwary rustick caught
Enlists; a thousand airy castles built!

True, the wing'd bullet, with Death's summons fraught,
May reach his heart, but then 'twill reach it gilt.

With matchless front yon female Witness see, Doubtless in conscious truth and virtue bold; Black's black with us plain souls; but, bless you! she

Will make it white, green, anything-for Gold.

Mark that apostate Pen, which once aspir'd

To better things, to vilest falsehood sink, Bepraising those whom once it most bemir'd;—

Ask you the cause?'tis dipp'd in golden ink.

Mark him so pious, telling o'er his beads;
Useful a Trader he, as ever sold!

Steal, kill, blaspheme,-no matter what your deeds,
He'll sell you Peace and Pardon too for Gold.

Fast bound by Friendship's ties behold yon pair,
Heart meeting heart, and hand compress'd in hand;
Now view them mortal foes!-your wonder spare,
For golden scissars cut the Gordian band.

Think'st thou affection lights yon Lover's flame,

And that those fires of his will ne'er grow cold?

Alas he knows not e'en affection's name;

The shaft that pierc'd his heart was tipp'd with Gold.

Watch where with daring steps those Murd❜rers go,
Fearful alone lest they the prey should miss;
Their victims seiz'd, they strike the fatal blow,
And sell a future World-for Gold in this!

Spell-binding Pow'r! behold thy duteous slaves!
Priests, Patriots, Lovers, Cowards, Heroes bold,
Murd'rers, Physicians, Courtiers, Lawyers, Knaves,

All bow before one common despot,-Gold!

A FEW PARTING WORDS

ADDRESSED TO

THE PATRONS, VICE PATRONS*, AND OTHER

MEMBERS

OF

THE SOCIETY OF MODERN PATRIOTS.

Some Patriot fools to pop'lar praise aspire,
Or public speeches, which worse fools admire.

DRYDEN.

The Quacks in Politicks a Change advise.

SOMERVILE.

YE far-fam'd Members of the PATRIOT Band,

The doughty champions of this wretched Land;

* This term may perhaps here signify, as applied to the persons in question,-" Patrons of Vice!"

Ye who alike can ev'ry subject reach,

Alike on ev'ry topick-make a speech;

Whose tongues are foremost for your Country's good

To talk of things ye never understood;

What is't ye seek? The Pill'ry ye may gain,

Without so much ado your lungs to strain;

Ye do not look for Pension nor for Place,-
Oh no! ye hold such things a foul disgrace;
And yet (your secrets if my bluntness rifles,
Forgive me ;-ye yourselves ne'er stick at trifles)
I'm told, d'ye know, that, while ye rail so lusty,
The grapes-

enough! "the proverb's somewhat musty*."

In some folk's minds-(I've heard a bird so sing)→

Receiver Gen'ralship's a good-ish thing;

And tho' a man, I mean a Patriot, tries

Through bribes, false witnesses, and perjuries,

* HAMLET.