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Horace, Ode XXII. Lib. I. Freely Translated By Lord Eldon.

By Thomas Moore

Topics: classic

The man who keeps a conscience pure,         (If not his own, at least his Prince's,)     Thro' toil and danger walks secure,         Looks big and black and never winces.     No want has he of sword or dagger,         Cockt hat or ringlets of Geramb;     Tho' Peers may laugh and Papists swagger,         He doesnt care one single damn.     Whether midst Irish chairmen going.         Or thro' St. Giles's alleys dim,     Mid drunken Sheelahs, blasting, blowing,         No matter, 'tis all one to him.     For instance, I, one evening late,         Upon a gay vacation sally,     Singing the praise of Church and State,         Got (God knows how) to Cranbourne Alley.     When lo! an Irish Papist darted         Across my path, gaunt, grim, and big--     I did but frown and off he started,         Scared at me even without my wig.     Yet a more fierce and raw-boned dog         Goes not to Mass in Dublin City,     Nor shakes his brogue o'er Allen's Bog,         Nor spouts in Catholic Committee.     Oh! place me midst O'Rourkes, O'Tooles,         The ragged royal-blood of Tara;     Or place me where Dick Martin rules         The houseless wilds of Connemara;[1]     Of Church and State I'll warble still,         Though even Dick Martin's self should grumble;     Sweet Church and State, like Jack and Jill,     So lovingly upon a hill--         Ah! ne'er like Jack and Jill to tumble![2]

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"The man who keeps a conscience pure,..."

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Thomas Moore

About Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore (1779–1852) was an Irish poet, singer, and songwriter best known for "Irish Melodies" (1808–1834), a collection of songs including "The Last Rose of Summer" and "Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms." He was the most popular poet of his era in the British Isles.

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