And higher charges the suspended storm.

"That public vice portends a public fall"—

Is this conjecture of adventurous thought!

Or pious coward's pulpit cushion'd dream;

Far from it. This is certain; this is fate.

What says experience, in her awful chair

Of ages, her authentic annals spread

Around her? What says reason eagle-eyed?

Nay, what says common sense, with common care

Weighing events, and causes, in her scale?