Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

Original Poetry.
ON DECEITFULNESS:
To trace the wily mazes of deceit,
Pursue, and drag to light the coward cheat,
Strip off the tinsel guise, that falsely glares,
And show what shapes the protean monster wears--
Our muse in rude and tuneless rhyme essays,
And sues for pardon more than hopes for praise.
Turn where we will, to elevate or low,
Still life presents us a deceitful show;
Few value virtue for her real charms,
But for the profit, as the rich their farms
And man's chief end is not to be, but seem,
What most may win the wayward world's esteem.
Now turn we to some lovely cheats, the fair.
Whose tongues, like charming echoes, ring in air;
Like echoes too untir'd for e'er repeat,
Yet be it sense, or nonsense, always sweet;
The subtle serpent first instructed Eve,
And she her docile daughters to deceive.
How shall unpractis'd youth escape their wiles
Their hidden blushes and bewitching smiles.
But now methinks I'll stop,
And pen no more down.
Lest I should touch the quick,
Of some fair maid in town !!!