Vice may be learnt, even without a teacher.

Vice may be learnt, even without a teacher.

And last the Vice and Follies of the Age.

And last the Vice and Follies of the Age.

To sanction Vice, and hunt Decorum down.

To sanction Vice, and hunt Decorum down.

Saint Augustine! well hast thou said,
That of our vices we can frame
A ladder, if we read more

Saint Augustine! well hast thou said,
That of our vices we can frame
A ladder, if we will but tread
Beneath our feet each deed of shame.

Ne'er blush'd, unless, in spreading vice's snares,
She blunder'd on some virtue unawares.

Ne'er blush'd, unless, in spreading vice's snares,
She blunder'd on some virtue unawares.

A vice is a failure of desire.

A vice is a failure of desire.

Vice itself lost half its evil, by losing all its grossness.

Vice itself lost half its evil, by losing all its grossness.

Virtue, I grant you, is an empty boast;
But shall the dignity of vice be lost?

Virtue, I grant you, is an empty boast;
But shall the dignity of vice be lost?

O, what a mansion have those vices got
Which for their habitation chose out thee,
Where beauty's read more

O, what a mansion have those vices got
Which for their habitation chose out thee,
Where beauty's veil doth cover every blot
And all things turns to fair that eyes can see!