oud,
All help'd to form the motley, mingled Crowd.

With curious eye, attentive I survey'd
Each busy Figure of the Masquerade.
A Mask it might be call'd, tho', free from shame,
All shew'd their Faces, and each told his Name.
For FOLLY's presence spoils the attractive grace
That plays around the most bewitching face.
Where'er she reigns, beneath her magic sway
Each charm, each envied beauty melts away.
Where'er she governs, WISDOM will descry
In the fair form a foul deformity.
--There tottering Old Age essay'd to prance
With feeble feet, and join'd th' imperfect dance.
There supercilious Youth assum'd the air
And reverend grace which hoary Sages wear.
There I beheld full many a youthful Maid,
Like colts for sale to public view display'd,
Shew off their shapes and ply their happiest art,
While the old Mother acts the Jockey's part;
Who, well-instructed in the World's great School,
Knows how to trap the rich and noble Fool.
Bold Prostitution look'd with downcast eye,
And veil'd her painted cheeks with modesty;
While wedded Dames a bold demeanour wear,
And think their eyes resistless when they stare.
The shameless Gamester shook the loaded die, }
Nor fear'd the Stripling's unsuspecting eye, }
That knows not to discern th' approaching ruin nigh. }

Old powerless _S----_ still essay'd to charm
The Whore that dangled on the Dotard's arm.
Bold _P----_ made Appointments with the Fair,
Certain he should not meet his _Countess_ there.
Pale _G----_, as he stroll'd about to chuse
Some _unbroke Filly_ for his favourite _Meuse_,
Where faithful _W----n_ for his ---- _ship's gain_,
With pliant hand breaks in th' unruly Train,
Fix'd on his _frisky Wife_,--and, in her eye,
Saw the _mild beams of artless Modesty_.
--There _H----'s Countess_ views the _ducal Heir_, }
With silent caution does the toils prepare, }
And with her _raw-bon'd_ Daughters baits the _snare_. }
The wretched _B---- sneaks_ behind to wait
The doubtful progress of his _S----r's fate_.[a]
The Maiden's Piety,--the boasted smiles
Of Royal Favour, and the secret wiles
Of hoary Artifice, at length, succeed;
And _the flow_[b] _L----_ to the Altar lead.
--There filly D---- mourn'd, in briny floods,
His lessen'd Household, and diminish'd Wo