XXXVIII.
GRAND TREATY OF LYING.
The Devil and PRETTY a treaty have made,
On a permanent footing to settle their trade;
’Tis the Commerce of Lying,—and this is the law;
The Devil imports him all lyes that are raw_;_
Which, check’d by no docket, unclogg’d with a fee,
The Priest manufactures, and vends duty free;
Except where the lye gives his conscience such trouble,
The internal expence should have recompence double.
Thus to navigate falsehood no bar they’ll devise;
But Hell must become the EMPORIUM of Lyes.
Nay, the Bishops themselves, when in pulpit they bark it,
Must supply their consumption, from Satan’s own market,
While reciprocal tribute is paid for the whole
In a surplusage d—mn—g of P—TTY—’s soul.