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Poem
June 10, 1737
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Satirical poem critiquing a recent act against selling spirituous liquors, arguing it harms thousands of innocents to curb the excess of a few drunkards, drawing on the biblical Sodom story to question its justice.
Clipping
OCR Quality
85%
Good
Full Text
On the late Act against retailing Spirituous Liquors, &c.
Tell me — Can it be understood,
No truly; I deny't :
For if, as all allow, 'tis best,
Of Evils Two, to chuse the least,
Then my Opinion's right.
Suppose on Search ---- it should appear,
Ten Drunkards dy'd in every Year,
By drinking to Excess;
Should Thousands innocent be led
Into Despair, and lose their Bread,
Such Folly to redress?
I'd not be thought t' encourage Sin,
Or be an Advocate for Gin ;
But humbly do conceive,
This Scheme, tho' drawn with nicest Care,
Don't with Almighty Justice square,
If Scripture we believe.
When Sodom's Sin, for Vengeance call'd,
Ten righteous had its Doom forestall'd,
And mov'd e'en God to Pity ;
But now Ten barefac'd Debauchees
Some private Epicures displease,
And ruin half a City.
Tell me — Can it be understood,
No truly; I deny't :
For if, as all allow, 'tis best,
Of Evils Two, to chuse the least,
Then my Opinion's right.
Suppose on Search ---- it should appear,
Ten Drunkards dy'd in every Year,
By drinking to Excess;
Should Thousands innocent be led
Into Despair, and lose their Bread,
Such Folly to redress?
I'd not be thought t' encourage Sin,
Or be an Advocate for Gin ;
But humbly do conceive,
This Scheme, tho' drawn with nicest Care,
Don't with Almighty Justice square,
If Scripture we believe.
When Sodom's Sin, for Vengeance call'd,
Ten righteous had its Doom forestall'd,
And mov'd e'en God to Pity ;
But now Ten barefac'd Debauchees
Some private Epicures displease,
And ruin half a City.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Temperance Moderation
Political
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Spirituous Liquors
Retailing Act
Public Good
Drunkards Excess
Sodom Justice
Gin Advocate
Poem Details
Title
On The Late Act Against Retailing Spirituous Liquors, &C.
Subject
The Late Act Against Retailing Spirituous Liquors
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas
Key Lines
Tell Me — Can It Be Understood,
Ten Drunkards Dy'd In Every Year,
When Sodom's Sin, For Vengeance Call'd,
But Now Ten Barefac'd Debauchees
And Ruin Half A City.