To a Friend Who Had Been Much Abused in Many Inveterate Libels
The greatest monarch may be stabbed by night,
And fortune help the murderer in his flight;
The vilest ruffian may commit a rape,
Yet safe from injured innocence escape:
And calumny, by working underground,
Can, unrevenged, the greatest merit wound.
What's to be done? shall wit and learning choose,
To live obscure, and have no fame to lose?
By censure frighted out of honour's road,
Nor dare to use the gifts by heaven bestowed;
Or fearless enter in through virtue's gate,
And buy distinction at the dearest rate?
And fortune help the murderer in his flight;
The vilest ruffian may commit a rape,
Yet safe from injured innocence escape:
And calumny, by working underground,
Can, unrevenged, the greatest merit wound.
What's to be done? shall wit and learning choose,
To live obscure, and have no fame to lose?
By censure frighted out of honour's road,
Nor dare to use the gifts by heaven bestowed;
Or fearless enter in through virtue's gate,
And buy distinction at the dearest rate?
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