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But grant that Actions best discover Man;
Take the most strong, and sort them as you can:
The few that glare, each Character must mark,
You balance not the many in the dark.
What will you do with such as disagree?
Suppress them, or miscall them Policy?
Must then at once (the Character to save)
A plain, rough Hero turn a crafty Knave?
Alas! in truth the man but chang'd his mind,
Perhaps was sick, in love, or had not din'd.
Ask how from Britain Cæsar made retreat?
Cæsar perhaps had told you, he was beat.
The mighty Czar what mov'd to wed a Punk?
The mighty Czar might answer, he was dunk.
But sage Historians! 'tis your task to prove
One action Conduct, one Heroic Love.
'Tis from high Life, high Characters are drawn;
A Saint in Crape is twice a Saint in Lawn;
A Judge is just, a Chanc'lor juster still;
A Gownman learn'd; a Bishop, what you will:
Wise, if a Minister; but if a King,
More wise, more learn'd, more just, more ev'ry thing.
Take the most strong, and sort them as you can:
The few that glare, each Character must mark,
You balance not the many in the dark.
What will you do with such as disagree?
Suppress them, or miscall them Policy?
Must then at once (the Character to save)
A plain, rough Hero turn a crafty Knave?
Alas! in truth the man but chang'd his mind,
Perhaps was sick, in love, or had not din'd.
Ask how from Britain Cæsar made retreat?
Cæsar perhaps had told you, he was beat.
The mighty Czar what mov'd to wed a Punk?
The mighty Czar might answer, he was dunk.
But sage Historians! 'tis your task to prove
One action Conduct, one Heroic Love.
'Tis from high Life, high Characters are drawn;
A Saint in Crape is twice a Saint in Lawn;
A Judge is just, a Chanc'lor juster still;
A Gownman learn'd; a Bishop, what you will:
Wise, if a Minister; but if a King,
More wise, more learn'd, more just, more ev'ry thing.
Court-
