How weak the barrier of mere nature proves
Oppos'd against the pleasures nature loves!
While self-betray'd, and wilfully undone,
She longs to yield, no sooner wooed than won.
Try now the merits of this blest exchange
Of modest truth for wits eccentric range.
'Time was, he closed as he began the day
With decent duty, not ashamed to pray.
The practice was a bond upon his heart,
A pledge he gave for a consistent part,
Nor could he dare prefumptuously displease
A pow'r confess'd so lately on his knees.
But now, farewell all legendary tales,
The shadows fly, philosophy prevails,
Pray'r to the winds and caution to the waves,
Religion makes the free by nature slaves,
Priests have invented, and the world admired
What knavish priests promulgate as inspired,
'Till reason, now no longer overawed,
Resumes her pow'rs, and spurns the clumsy fraud,
And common-sense diffusing real day,
The meteor of the gospel dies away.
Such rhapsodies our shrew'd discerning youth
Learn from expert enquirers after truth,
Whose only care, might truth presume to speak,
Is not to find what they prosess to seek.
And thus well-tutor'd only while we share
A mother's lectures and a nurse's care,
And taught at schools much mythologic stuff,
But sound religion sparingly enough,
Our early notices of truth disgraced
Soon lose their credit, and are all effaced.