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THE ROGUE DISCOVERED, OR A Congratulatory Verse upon a Book newly publisht (a Piece much desired, and long expected) called the English Rogue, a Witty Extravagant.
Sold by Francis Kirkman, at the Princes Arms in Chancery Lane.
Friend,
HAd I but seen your Book in Manu-script,
These lines had Prologuiz'd your pregnant Wit.
Your Rogue is Prest; yet suffer (Sir) that I
Give your deserving Rogue an Elogy.
Nor can I pass the Author, whose just fame
Will live 'ith' English Rogue, without a name.
Were it prefixt, Wit had obtain'd its end;
For but to speak thy Name, is to commend.
Thy Book I red, and drew conceptions thence,
Adam ne're knew in's single innocence.
With knowledge travail man doth recompence,
Although but seldom, yet with vast expence.
But in thy Rogue, our purchase will appear
Our cheap experience, though it cost thee dear.
There may we travil safe, and in a trice
Surround the Globe of Cheats, a World of Vice.
Thy Rogue, when in his non-age did commit
Things that did flow from quintessence of Wit.
A witty Rogue, and a notorious Thief,
Whose life hereafter may surpass belief.
From him we know, how Boys mispend their times
In Waggeries, the blossoms of black crimes.
If not prevented as they grow in age,
Those Crimes (untimely) make them quit the Stage
O'th' World. No sooner entrance have they made,
But Law doth put an exit to their Trade.
Masters may here, as in a mirror, see
Th' Apprentice-party-colour'd Rogery.
Both how he barters Ware, and monies snips,
To be a purchaser of wanton Lips.
To drink and Whore so long, till in the close,
By senting Bawdy-houses loose his Nose.
These common tricks hence forth won't do the feat
They must find out some newer way to cheat.
For thou hast glanc'd such light, the Master can
With ease, if fraudulent, detect his man.
Maids hence will wary be, and will not trust
Guilded pretences, which do Pimp for Lust.
No longer will the Trav'ler ride in fear,
Since thou hast evidently made appear
What Robbers are; who oftner change their shapes,
Then Proteus did, or half a score French Apes.
All their disguises are unmaskt by thee,
That we may shun the Rogue, the Rogue the Tree.
In all known cheats, thy wit is copious found,
As VVine in Conduits, when a King is Crown'd.
And this we know in every Art or Trade,
Ambition some Competitors has made.
But Thou hast none. Hence I shall think, that when
Some other piece has by some other Pen
Been quaintly drawn, 'twill be of most the vogue,
This is the Author's of the English Rogue.
For which good work hereafter Ages shall,
Give th' unknown Author thanks perpetual.
Id peragas vita, quod velles morte peractum.