SATYR.
59
35 Our universal Inclination
Tends to the worst of our Creation,
As if the Stars conspir'd t'imprint
In our whole Species, by Instinct,
A fatal Brand, and Signature
40 Of nothing else, but the Impure.
The best of all our Actions tend
To the preposterousest End,
And, like to Mungrels, we're inclin'd
To take most to th' ignobler Kind;
45 Or Monsters, that have always least
Of the human Parent, not the Beast.
Hence 'tis we've no Regard at all
Of our best half Original;
But, when they differ, still assert
50 The Int'rest of th' ignobler Part;
Spend all the Time we have upon
The vain Capriches of the one,
But grudge to spare one Hour, to know
What to the better Part we owe.
55 As in all compound Substances
The greater still devours the less;
Tends to the worst of our Creation,
As if the Stars conspir'd t'imprint
In our whole Species, by Instinct,
A fatal Brand, and Signature
40 Of nothing else, but the Impure.
The best of all our Actions tend
To the preposterousest End,
And, like to Mungrels, we're inclin'd
To take most to th' ignobler Kind;
45 Or Monsters, that have always least
Of the human Parent, not the Beast.
Hence 'tis we've no Regard at all
Of our best half Original;
But, when they differ, still assert
50 The Int'rest of th' ignobler Part;
Spend all the Time we have upon
The vain Capriches of the one,
But grudge to spare one Hour, to know
What to the better Part we owe.
55 As in all compound Substances
The greater still devours the less;
very usual, especially in the Times of Popery, for the greatest Debauchees to flatter themselves, that they attoned for the Dissoluteness of their past Lives by pious Donations at their Death; as if they were to be excus'd for not serving God themselves, by furnishing others with an Opportunity of doing it.
63.
