Maxims in prose and verse : addressed to the affluent and benevolent public / By an unfortunate prisoner, of long durance in his Majesty's Goal [sic] of Newgate, for a debt.

Date:
Printed in the year 1788
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Maxims in prose and verse : addressed to the affluent and benevolent public / By an unfortunate prisoner, of long durance in his Majesty's Goal [sic] of Newgate, for a debt. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    [ ] « , At thy undoing: he had ta’en pofTeflion Of all thy ancient mofl: domeftic ornaments: Rich hangings intermix’d and wrought with gold; The very bed, which on thy wedding-night Receiv’d thee to the arms of Belvidera, The feene of all thy joys, was violated By the coarfe hands of filthy dungeon villains, And thrown amongfl the common number. #•% It is certain that many a young woman in this town has had her heart irrecoverably won by men who have not made one advance which ties their admirers. Agreeable manners, or what is called the pre¬ vailing gentle art, fleals into the imagination of the unguarded, with a fondnefs which grows too infenfibly to be refifted ; and if his heart has not the abhorrence of any treacherous defign, he may eafily im¬ prove approbation into kindnefs, and kindnefs into paflion.- Sidney has that prevailing gentle art. Which can with a refiftlefs charm impart The loofefl: wifhes to the chafteft heart; Raife fuch a conflidl, kindle fuch a fire, t • * Between declining virtue and defire, ^hat the poor vanquifh’d maid diffolves away In dreams all night, in fighs and tears all day. «.ik It is much eafier to feel the tender paflion, than to give a diffinition of it. The philofopher defines love prettily, when he faid, ^hat it was a circle, returning through happinefs, to happinefs, from happi- nefs. The lovers ring, is a proper and fignificant allufion to it.
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