Are Vices, they cry—but they make a Man known,
Give Honour, give Pleasure, and Fame and Renown,
Are Gentlemen’s Actions, and Joy must accrue
From Actions which Gentlemen so often do;
And, in spite of what Moralists tell us, I find 260
The antient Philosophers were of our Mind:
Who, each in his Way, though to wisdom akin,
Have labour’d to beautify some kind of Sin.
Then why should we fear on dull Morals to trample,
Who’re blest with the Boon of such noble Example?