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Literary
April 26, 1765
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A poem attributed to Jonathan Swift titled 'Lines on CENSURE,' advising the reader to endure scandal and detractors' malice wisely, as their words cannot truly harm one's virtue, fortune, or appearance. It mocks the envious nature of critics and suggests ignoring them as the best response.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
The following Lines on CENSURE, by SWIFT, were sent us, with a Request to be published.
Be wise instruct me to endure
An Evil which admits no Cure;
Or how this Evil can be borne,
Which breeds at once both Hate and Scorn.
Bare Innocence is no Support,
When you are try'd in Scandal's Court.
Stand high in Honour, Wealth or Wit.
All others who inferior sit,
Conceive themselves in Conscience bound
To join, and drag you to the Ground.
Your Altitude offends the Eyes
Of those who want the Pow'r to rise.
The World, a willing Stander-by,
Inclines to aid a specious Lie:
Alas! they would not do you Wrong,
But all Appearances are strong.
Yet whence proceeds this Weight we lay
On what detracting People say?
For let Mankind discharge their Tongues,
In Venom, till they burst their Lungs,
Their utmost Malice cannot make
Your Head, or Tooth, or Finger ache;
Nor spoil your Shape, distort your Face,
Or put one Feature out of Place;
Nor will you find your Fortune sink.
By what they speak, or what they think;
Nor can Ten Hundred Thousand Lies
Make you less virtuous, learn'd or wise.
The most effectual Way to baulk
Their Malice, is--to let them talk.
Be wise instruct me to endure
An Evil which admits no Cure;
Or how this Evil can be borne,
Which breeds at once both Hate and Scorn.
Bare Innocence is no Support,
When you are try'd in Scandal's Court.
Stand high in Honour, Wealth or Wit.
All others who inferior sit,
Conceive themselves in Conscience bound
To join, and drag you to the Ground.
Your Altitude offends the Eyes
Of those who want the Pow'r to rise.
The World, a willing Stander-by,
Inclines to aid a specious Lie:
Alas! they would not do you Wrong,
But all Appearances are strong.
Yet whence proceeds this Weight we lay
On what detracting People say?
For let Mankind discharge their Tongues,
In Venom, till they burst their Lungs,
Their utmost Malice cannot make
Your Head, or Tooth, or Finger ache;
Nor spoil your Shape, distort your Face,
Or put one Feature out of Place;
Nor will you find your Fortune sink.
By what they speak, or what they think;
Nor can Ten Hundred Thousand Lies
Make you less virtuous, learn'd or wise.
The most effectual Way to baulk
Their Malice, is--to let them talk.
What sub-type of article is it?
Poem
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Censure
Scandal
Detractors
Malice
Reputation
Virtue
Envy
Satire
What entities or persons were involved?
By Swift
Literary Details
Title
Lines On Censure
Author
By Swift
Subject
On Enduring Censure And Scandal
Key Lines
Be Wise Instruct Me To Endure
An Evil Which Admits No Cure;
Or How This Evil Can Be Borne,
Which Breeds At Once Both Hate And Scorn.
Bare Innocence Is No Support,
When You Are Try'd In Scandal's Court.
Their Utmost Malice Cannot Make
Your Head, Or Tooth, Or Finger Ache;
Nor Can Ten Hundred Thousand Lies
Make You Less Virtuous, Learn'd Or Wise.
The Most Effectual Way To Baulk
Their Malice, Is To Let Them Talk.