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SINCERITY

1804.

PURE emanation of the honest soul,
Dear to my heart, manly Sincerity !
Dissimulation shrinks,—a coward foul,
Before thy noble art detesting eye.

Thou scorn'st the wretch who acts a double part,
Obsequious, servile, flatt'ring to betray,
With smiling face that veils a ranc'rous heart,
Like sunny morning of tempestuous day.

Thou spurn'st the sophist, with his guilty lore,
Whom int'rest prompts to weave the specious snare;
In independence rich, thou own'st a store
Of conscious worth, which changelings never share.

Then come, bright Virtue, with thy dauntless brow,
And crush Deceit, vile monster, reptile low.