} How vain is mortal happiness! Had they but known the bounds of bliss; 205 And that perfection here below Is more than gods can well bestow; The grumbling brutes had been content With ministers and government. But they, at every ill success, 210 Like creatures lost without redress, Curs'd politicians, armies, fleets; While every one cry'd, damn the cheats, And would, though conscious of his own, In others barb'rously bear none. 215 One, that had got a princely store, By cheating master, king, and poor, Dar'd cry aloud, the land must sink For all its fraud; and whom d'ye think The sermonizing rascal chid? 220 A glover that sold lamb for kid. The least thing was not done amiss, Or cross'd the public business; But all the rogues cry'd brazenly, Good gods, had we but honesty! 225 Merc'ry smil'd at th' impudence, And others call'd it want of sense, Always to rail at what they lov'd: But Jove with indignation mov'd, At last in anger swore, he'd rid 230 The bawling hive of fraud; and did. The very moment it departs, And honesty fills all their hearts; There shows 'em, like th' instructive tree, Those crimes which they're asham'd to see; 235 Which now in silence they confess, By blushing at their ugliness: Like children, that would hide their faults, And by their colour own their thoughts: Imag'ning, when they're look'd upon, 240 That others see what they have done. But, O ye gods! what consternation, How vast and sudden was th' alteration! In half an hour, the nation round, Meat fell a penny in the pound. 245 The mask hypocrisy's sitting down, From the great statesman to the clown: And in some borrow'd looks well known, Appear'd like strangers in their own. The bar was silent from that day; 250 For now the willing debtors pay, Ev'n what's by creditors forgot; Who quitted them that had it not. Those that were in the wrong, stood mute, And dropt the patch'd vexatious suit: 255 On which since nothing else can thrive, Than lawyers in an honest hive, All, except those that got enough, With inkhorns by their sides troop'd off. Justice hang'd some, set others free; 260 And after gaol delivery, Her presence being no more requir'd, With all her train and pomp retir'd. First march'd some smiths with locks and grates, Fetters, and doors with iron plates: 265 Next gaolers, turnkeys and assistants: Before the goddess, at some distance, Her chief and faithful minister, 'Squire Catch, the law's great finisher, Bore not th' imaginary sword, 270