Classic Poem

In Paris, as in London,
Vice thrives, and virtue's undone;
Errors, passions, want of truth,
Folly, in age as well as youth,
Are things by no means rare:

But honest usurers, friends sincere,
And judges with their conscience clear,
C'est qu'on ne voit guere.

II.

In Paris all things vary,
Sixteen and sixty marry;
Men presuming on their purse,
Heirs with their estates at nusie,
Are things by no means rare:
But doctors who refuse a fee,
And wives and husbands who agree,
C'est qu'on ne voit guere.

III.

In Paris idle passion
And folly lead the fashion;
Attention paid to shew and dress,
Modest merit in distress,
Are things by no means rare:

But friendship in sarcastic sneers,
And honesty in widow's tears,
C'est qu'on ne voit guere.