As oft I overheard the demon say,

Who daily met the loit'rer in his way,

"I'll meet thee, youth, at White's:" the youth replies,

"I'll meet thee there," and falls his sacrifice;

His fortune squander'd, leaves his virtue bare

To ev'ry bribe, and blind to ev'ry snare:

Clodio for bread his indolence must quit,

Or turn a soldier, or commence a wit.

Such heroes have we! all, but life, they stake;

How must Spain tremble, and the German shake!