At first Acquaintance press each Truth severe,
Stir the whole Odium of your Character:
Let harshest Doctrines all your Words engross,
And Nature bleeding on the Daily Cross.
Then to yourself th' Ascetic Rule enjoin,
To others stoop surprizingly benign;
Pitying, if from Themselves with Pain they Part,
If stubborn Nature long holds out the Heart.
Their Outworks now are gain'd; forbear to press
The more you urge them, you prevail the less;
Let Speech lay by its Roughness to oblige,
Your speaking Life will carry on the Siege:
By your Example struck, to GOD they strive
To live, no longer to Themselves alive.