EPIGRAM.
In Newgate, a book-seller once said to his friend
Under sentence of Death: I am griev’d at your end;
But I hope you sincerely repent of the deed,
And then to short sorrow long joy will succeed.
I’m in hopes, Sir, I do, poor Culprit replies,
And by way of return will give you some advice.
Both our cases well weigh, as one day they’ll be found:
I have robb’d for a shilling, you cheated for a pound.
By pirating copies, and selling at low price,
You have made the proprietor’s copies of no price:
O! their price then you robb’d ’em, – You cry, Not against law.
– In this plea, says GUTHRIE,* the Devil finds a flaw.
What you’ve wrongfully taken, if able, restore
To the person you’ve wrong’d; if unknown, to the poor.
Else to heaven in vain you’ll attempt an intrusion:
No rich knave’s admitted without restitution.
Tho’ Tyburn’s oft defrauded, yet Hell won’t be flamm’d;**
Tho’ not hang’d in this world, in the next you’ll be damn’d.
DACTYL.
(The Grub-street Journal, 12 September 1734)
[*Guthrie = Turnkey at Newgate Prison]
[**flammed = cheated by trickery]
