Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-07-28

7
II IS not you, but some imaginary per.
sonsgc, to whom she imputed infamy
belongs. >" But this seems nothing
near so eficacious, a. the virulence
and mallgnity Of the case may require.
For a. Robert, mistaking in the dark.
should TALL upon the shoulders Of Rich.
ard with a cudgel. would the impress
sions be less forcible, or the sensations
less lively, because Richard might not
be the person, for whom the favour was
intended {? There is more good sense.
u not so much subtlety, in the saying
OF Augustus, Who, when urged by his
son-In-law to pursue this race Of serb
blers, replied. Don't indulge a spirit
of resentment against these our adycr-
sarics IL is quite sufficient. that we
are not 10 situation to be hurt bv any
one"
But, neither does this entirely please
me for. first, this Emperor derived his
boosted security from usurpation and
tyranny and, then he afterwards be-
came himself a severe prose tor Of IL
bellous productions. The example Of
Iimoleou is more perfect in its kind.
Tits wise and virtuous man, being
wrongiully accused In an assembly Of
the people, instead OF resenting or even
taking il I'LL, thanked the immortal
Gods tor granting what he had SO often
prayed Tor; which was, that . the Sy-
racusans might have the liberty of
speaking what, and of whom. they
would with IMMUNITY. This example
Is, ! say, more perfect; but then, alas.
It IS too perfect for the age we live in
1t is above the strength Of men, as men
are now. chuse. therefore, upon the
whole, 10 recommend the behaviour of
the Emperor Constantine; who, being
importuued to punish some seditious
persons, for dis6guring his statues by
throwing stones at them, did nothing
more than calmly stroke his face, and
tell his friends with a smile, that he
dad MOI perceive himself to be hurt
This cold contempt Of what men say
or think, seems to have been the spe-
cific OF our celebrated Doctor Swift,
against impressions from the malisnity
OF scandal, as set forth in a poem he
has left US; which. being short and
edifying, may as we'll be here subjoin-
ed.
on cENsCRE, IN 1927.
We wise, instruct me TO endure
An evil, which admits no cure:
Or how this evil can be borne,
Which breeds AZ once both hate and scorn.
Bare Innocence is no support,
When you are tried in scandals court
Stand high in honour. wealth, and wit:
All others who inferior sit.
Conceive Themselves in conscience bound
To JOIN and drag you TO the ground.
Your altitude oflends the eyes
Of those. who want the power to rise.
The world, willing s,ander-by.
Incl'nes 10 aid . specious lie:
"Alas. they would not do you wrong,
Blu, all appearances are strong"
! Yet. whence proceeds this weight We lay
On what deirsc,ing people say
Por let mankind discharge their tongues
In venom. tall Ghey burst their lungs,
Their utmost malice Cannot make
Your head, or tooth, or finger AXE:
Nor spoil Jour shape, distort your face,
Or put one feature out Of place:
NSr will you find your fortune sink,
By what they speak. or what they think
Nor can ten hundred thousand iyes
Make you less virtuoos. iearn'd, or Wisc,
The most eiieeinsl way to bsulk
Their malice is-fS lei item talk.
1 - Men, who enjoy their fortunes with siceeu-
ey aud moderation, not erVieti said the 81
der Cato. they tiO not envy u, buI our FoH-