Ethic Amusements (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1768. Excerpt: ... FABLE II, THE Sage suppos'd, that Virtue might Be visible to mortal sight. This happen'd once; how long a while hence, The records--pass it o'er in silence: But positive is each memorial, She really took a form corporeal: --Was not too light, nor what you'd call grave, But something like the Lady W--Igr--w;--Appear'd so charming, her relation Genius, and coulin Reputation, Provok'd, it seems, by her example, ---Study'd awhile Hogarthi's-f-line, And of the human face divine Both took a reasonable sample.---Their scheme was only to bestow Some time with mortals here below, --Make the grand tour, and fee the world. Think them on board, their sails unfurl'd, Plowing the extra-mundane ocean, Their journey holding thus discourse on. "Deargirls (says Genius) tho' agreed, Together we will still proceed, And, like those Graces we resemble, Make our appearance tout ensemble; Yet should or chance, or choice divide us Methinks 'twere prudent to provide us Some previous, general rule to guide us." Plato. vid. Tull. Offic. f Analysis of Beauty. Why ay, that's true indeed, cry'd Virtue., Ere disembark'd, it cannot hurt you To think upon't. Do cousin Rep, Advise us to the safest step; You know, my dear, with what delight, We always keep your rules in sight." "If we JJionld part, says Reputation, This is the wisest regulation I can suggest: --Let each declare, Ingenuously, with whom, and where, Her taste, she thinks, will most detain her, And we shall easily regain her: That for our clue, we must discover, Thro' all her labyrinths, the rover." "Of Prudence safe, thou child and eflence True tooth to verum at quedecens, The wisse manTs aim, the brave's-reward, The female's glory, friend and guard Genius reply'd, hear me impart The genuine dictates of my heart: Should poor ...