Wouldst thou defend the Gaul's destructive rage, Because vast nations on his part engage? Though, to support the rebel Caesar's cause, Tumultuous legions arm against the laws; Though scandal would our patriot's name impeach, And rails at virtues which she cannot reach, What honest man but would with joy submit To bleed with Cato, and retire with Pitt?[96] 370 Steadfast and true to virtue's sacred laws, Unmoved by vulgar censure, or applause, Let the World talk, my friend; that World, we know, Which calls us guilty, cannot make us so. Unawed by numbers, follow Nature's plan; Assert the rights, or quit the name of man. Consider well, weigh strictly right and wrong; Resolve not quick, but once resolved, be strong. In spite of Dulness, and in spite of Wit, If to thyself thou canst thyself acquit, 380 Rather stand up, assured with conscious pride, Alone, than err with millions on thy side. * * * * * Footnotes: [92] 'Night:' this poem was written to defend the irregularities imputed to the poet. [93] 'Abject wretch:' Thornton, who abandoned Lloyd in his distress. [94] 'Thankless wretch:' one Sellon, a popular clergyman, aided at first by Churchill and his set, but who betrayed and blackened them afterwards. We meet with him again in 'The Ghost' as Plausible. [95] 'Venal Clan:' alluding to Mr Pitt's employing the Highland clans in the American war. [96] 'Pitt:' who retired in 1761, because the cabinet would not go to war with Spain. THE PROPHECY OF FAMINE. A SCOTS PASTORAL INSCRIBED TO JOHN WILKES, ESQ. Nos patriam fugimus.--VIRGIL.