| Citation |
BG.754.014
19 Feb 1754:11-21 (60)
The Folly of Irreligion. In a letter from Evander to a
Libertine.
[11, para. 5:]
On your scheme, it is but a breath betwixt a man, a
reasonable being, the lord of the creation, and a clod of
earth, a shadow, a meer nothing. If the machine should keep
a proper situation to drink, to sing, to laugh, and dance, a
thousand other chances may start up to disappoint the
promised joy; which if you reach, fruition it self will
deceive your hopes, and leave you nothing but anxiety and
remorse. . . [12, 1st full para.:]
Riches and grandeur, wine and mirth, musick and beauty,
are the height of your wishes:
but all these either fatigue the mind with anxiety, or
languish and sleep on the senses. You have often owned to
me, that a series of these enjoyments has left you nothing
but vanity and vexation; and have in your reasonable
intervals confessed, that these are no more than specious
names, and shadows of some original good, that the mind
through every disguise pursues. . .
[21, 3d full para.:]
You have yet your night for the opera, to hear Faustina
sing; I expect the period when the curtain of mortality
shall be drawn, and the scenes of eternal glories open, and
angels solace me with celestial harmony. . ..
[12, 5th full para.:]
You attend the happy period, that, after long impatience,
shall give the charming Zephalinda to our vows; while a
diviner flame animates my soul, in the search of infinite
perfection.
But tell me whence this wond'rous flame began,
Ye angels, who behold the face of God!
I call the worms my brethren, and confess,
Corruption is my father; yet height as yours
. . . [34 more lines poetry, plus one col. more]. . .
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