Classic Poem

Can now a Masquerade delight you?
What are it's Charms that can invite you?
Have not your Eyes to Age survey'd
The medley World in Masquerade?
Where Friendship's Masque conceals the Knave,
And Cowards wear the Masque of Brave;
The Masque of Love, we frail Ones find
Worn when our Ruin is design'd;
The Patriot's Masque conceals Sedition ,
And soft Humility's, Ambition .
Ev'n you, sometimes, the Masque will wear,
And, what you are not, oft appear:
Rally your Faults with Wit and Spirit,
And make your Folly masque your Merit:
Come undisguis'd then, come revealed
To me and Truth; let Folly yield,
And leave the Masque to Fools conceal'd.