Classic Poem

Turn we to view the Bagnio's horrid scene,
Tho' modest virtue lifts her veil between;
Where tender sympathy should touch the heart,
And soft benevolence distend its part,
The tender tear should glisten in the eye,
For injur'd innocence demands the sigh;
The social throb should faulter in the breast
To see the relicks of the fair distress'd,
No wanton heart should triumph o'er the maid
Whom some low villain roguishly betray'd,
But ev'ry aid humanity dilate,
To mourn or mend the wand'ring females fate.
Now see the youth by facination led,
Court the low raptures of the harlot bed,
His sad dark vigils nightly here to keep,
Where dire compunction robs the wretch of sleep;
Delusive joys betray his tender heart,
Ensnar'd, bewilder'd by the wanton's art;
The leg half-naked and the breast quite bare,
With all the studied ornament of hair,
The garments loose to raise the warm desire,
And touch the passions with a keener fire,
Her syren voice that captivates the ear,
With tempting gestures and inviting leer:
These move his heart and youthful mind employ,
'Till sated pleasure proves 'tis baneful joy.
Here lurks the bully, (horror in his face)
The shame of nature and his own disgrace;
A beastly pander duteous to the call,
A slave, a pimp, a tool, a knave to all.
Next see the matron's well-dissembled looks,
With pious prejudice for heav'nly books,
A nun-procuress; devotee quite sad;
With good monitions but with actions bad,
Prone to deceive and watchful to beguile,
To trap th'unwary female with her smile,
Or specious presents seeming fair and kind,
She ready makes to win the thoughtless mind,
Talks in one breath of minister and wh-r-,
Of young debauchers and of famisht poor,
Quotes scripture scraps to shew her orthodox,
Next tells that Sall and Suk has not the p — .