Classic Poem

In matters of important faith,
You rev'rence what the Parson faith;
With equal gravity peruse
The dictates of the Parson's Muse.

But, ere I tune my artless lays,
To sing your wit, and beauty's praise;
Let me in grateful notes renew
My thanks for obligations due.
And who indebted would not stand
For favours from so fair a hand?
Whose sprightly wit can always charm,
Whose beauty never fails to warm;
Virtue and innocence your guide,
Your sex's pattern, and their pride.

Adorn'd with all these charms, beware
How you exert your pow'r too far;
Mould into smiles each pretty feature,
And act the tyrant with good-nature.
For see! this Op'ra will reveal
How great a crime it is to steal!
What laws invented to keep under
People inclin'd to thest and plunder.
What pity 'tis we cannot boast
Of laws to regulate a Toast!
For if a wretch, who steals a horse,
Or civilly demands your purse,
Deserves poor Mackheath 's threaten'd fate,
And for example swings in state;
What shall we do with those, I pray,
Who steal poor people's Hearts away'