A _Knave_! the elder brother to the _Fool_: His vast Dominions are no less Than the whole Universe: The Lands are bounded by the Sea: The Seas the sturdy Rocks obey: The Storms do know the Limits of their Rule: Neither the Land nor Sea this Hero bind, But unconfin'd O're both he finds a way, O're both he bears Imperial sway: His gay Attendants are the Cheat, That ruines Kingdoms to be Great. The fawning, flattring Fop, who creeps Just like a Spaniel at your Heels, To some illustrious Knave, who sweeps Away a Kingdoms Wealth at once, And with the Publick Coin his Treasure fills; For Kingdoms work t'enrich the _Knave_ and _Dunce_. X. Honesty's a Garb we're mock'd in, Only wore by _Jews_ and _Turks_. Merit is a Popish Doctrine; Men have no regard to Works. Substantial Knavery is a Vertue will Your Coffers fill; And Altars raise, Unto your Praise. Be but a Knave, you'll keep the World in awe, And fear no Law; For no Transgression is, Where all Men do amiss. But here methinks an antiquated _Hero_ starts, Surpris'd at my Discourse; He starts and boggles like a Horse, And damns our modern Knavish Arts. XI. Vain _Youth_, he says misguided by a _Knave_, By some dull Blockhead tempted from thy rest; The worldly Grandeur thou dost vainly crave, Is nought but Noise and Foolishness at best. What Man wou'd quit his Sense, Or, the wise Dictates of right Reason's Rule, In vain pretence To be a rich, a gawdy _Fool_? Or, quit his Honesty, so much despis'd, And basely condescend, To every little Knavish End; Run headlong into every Cheat, Attempt each Villany to make him Great. Believe me Youth, (be better now advis'd) Thy early Vertues will thy Temples spread, } With lasting Lawrels 'round thy Head. } Shall flourish when the Wearers dead. } I who have always honest been, though poor, In whom the utmost signs of Age appears, And sink beneath the Burthen of my Years, Cou'd never yet adore A Knave or Blockhead, were he ne'er so Great; Or, be like to them, to purchase an Estate. XII.