(Virtue touches the Scene & a Transparency of Hogarth appears with a Scrool in his hand on which is inscribed "The Rake's Progress.")
And Hogarth!—Moral Painter too I see! In dark oblivion shall thy Semblance lie, Hogarth & Virtue're enemies to me
(Approaches to Destroy the Transparency.)
Recitative.
Virtue. Forbear, forbear—by Hogarth is pourtray'd The Fate of those thy precepts have betray'd, As in a Mirror's seen each impious Joy, That Courts the Victim only to destroy. And look—(Vice goes off.) Appall'd Vice trembles at the Sound In virtue only is true Pleasure found. (Exit.)
Before the Drop—Enter Virtue.
Air. Tune, "Mary's Dream."
Beware—nor lur'd by Vice's Arts, A moment listen to her wiles, He who from Virtue's path departs In seas of trouble she beguiles; This Hogarth's living pictures shew View thoughtless man, by Vice undone, A warning 'tis design'd for you, Behold—& baneful pleasure Shun. (Exit)