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Poem
May 13, 1773
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A satirical poem decrying flattery as a deceptive vice that ensnares all people, from kings to fools, banishing truth and leading to ruin.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
FLATTERY.
SHALL Flattery lure us with delusive Wiles,
Replete with Rancour, though she's dress'd in Smiles?
A Face of Sweetness with a Heart of Gall,
Who knows no Virtue, though she prates of all?
In silken Fetters bind the Sons of Earth,
And blast the Beauties of superior Worth?
All, all, alas! to Flattery's Music yield,
Kings on the Throne, and Generals in the Field;
The Villain's Study, and the Fool's Employ,
The Virgin's Glory, and the Matron's Joy.
The Young, the Old, here fix their doting Looks,
Fops at their Glass, and Students at their Books;
Whom Reason vainly points with solid Plan,
To slide from Letters to a Glance of Man,
Bereft of Conquests, and despoil'd of Crown,
Thus honest Truth is banish'd with a Frown;
So lov'd is Flattery, though Experience shows
This friendly Siren is the worst of Foes.
SHALL Flattery lure us with delusive Wiles,
Replete with Rancour, though she's dress'd in Smiles?
A Face of Sweetness with a Heart of Gall,
Who knows no Virtue, though she prates of all?
In silken Fetters bind the Sons of Earth,
And blast the Beauties of superior Worth?
All, all, alas! to Flattery's Music yield,
Kings on the Throne, and Generals in the Field;
The Villain's Study, and the Fool's Employ,
The Virgin's Glory, and the Matron's Joy.
The Young, the Old, here fix their doting Looks,
Fops at their Glass, and Students at their Books;
Whom Reason vainly points with solid Plan,
To slide from Letters to a Glance of Man,
Bereft of Conquests, and despoil'd of Crown,
Thus honest Truth is banish'd with a Frown;
So lov'd is Flattery, though Experience shows
This friendly Siren is the worst of Foes.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Flattery
Vice
Deception
Satire
Moral Critique
Siren
Truth Banished
Poem Details
Title
Flattery.
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Shall Flattery Lure Us With Delusive Wiles, Replete With Rancour, Though She's Dress'd In Smiles?
All, All, Alas! To Flattery's Music Yield, Kings On The Throne, And Generals In The Field;
So Lov'd Is Flattery, Though Experience Shows This Friendly Siren Is The Worst Of Foes.