TO A MODERN POLITICIAN.

I grant corruption sways mankind;
That interest too perverts the mind;
That bribes have blinded common sense,
Foiled reason, truth, and eloquence: 
I grant you too, our present crimes
Can equal those of former times. 
Against plain facts shall I engage,
To vindicate our righteous age? 
I know, that in a modern fist,
Bribes in full energy subsist.
10
Since then these arguments prevail,
And itching palms are still so frail,
Hence politicians, you suggest,
Should drive the nail that goes the best;
That it shows parts and penetration,
To ply men with the right temptation. 
To this I humbly must dissent;
Premising no reflection’s meant. 
Does justice or the client’s sense
Teach lawyers either side’s defence?
20
The fee gives eloquence its spirit;
That only is the client’s merit. 
Does art, wit, wisdom, or address,
Obtain the prostitute’s caress? 
The guinea (as in other trades)
From every hand alike persuades. 
Man, Scripture says, is prone to evil,
But does that vindicate the devil? 
Besides, the more mankind are prone,
The less the devil’s parts are shown.
30
Corruption’s not of modern date;
It hath been tried in every state. 
Great knaves of old their power have fenced,
By places, pensions, bribes, dispensed;
By these they gloried in success,
And impudently dared oppress;
By these despoticly they swayed,
And slaves extolled the hand that paid;
Nor parts, nor genius were employed,
By these alone were realms destroyed.
40
Now see these wretches in disgrace,
Stripp’d of their treasures, power, and place;
View them abandoned and forlorn,
Exposed to just reproach and scorn. 
What now is all your pride, your boast? 
Where are your slaves, your flattering host? 
What tongues now feed you with applause? 
Where are the champions of your cause? 
Now even that very fawning train
Which shared the gleanings of your gain,
50
Press foremost who shall first accuse
Your selfish jobs, your paltry views,
Your narrow schemes, your breach of trust,
And want of talents to be just. 
What fools were these amidst their power! 
How thoughtless of their adverse hour! 
What friends were made?  A hireling herd,
For temporary votes preferr’d. 
Was it, these sycophants to get,
Your bounty swelled a nation’s debt?
60
You’re bit.  For these, like Swiss attend;
No longer pay, no longer friend. 
The lion is, beyond dispute,
Allowed the most majestic brute;
His valour and his generous mind
Prove him superior of his kind. 
Yet to jackals (as ’tis averred)
Some lions have their power transferred;
As if the parts of pimps and spies
To govern forests could suffice.
70
Once, studious of his private good,
A proud jackal oppressed the wood;