Woodhouse, James (bap. 1735, d. 1820)

The Life and Lucubrations of Crispinus Scriblerus. A Novel, in Verse, Written in the Last Century

1814, 1816, 1896

"They [Infidels] court their Pupils to the Pagan code, / To Nature's nudities, dim Reason's road; / Philosophy's and Fancy's rules to read, / To form their Conduct, and to fix their Creed."

Who, then, can countenance the stale pretence,
False Infidels propound for sterling Sense,
That happiness is Virtue's portion here,
Nor hope a happier clime, or calmer sphere.
They court their Pupils to the Pagan code,
To Nature's nudities, dim Reason's road;
Philosophy's and Fancy's rules to read,
To form their Conduct, and to fix their Creed.
From reasonings, oft disprov'd, false inference draw,
To prove their lov'd Hypothesis a Law;
A Code convenient youthful hearts to win,
To pamper Pride and Lust, and sanction Sin!

Vehicles::Road

HDIS (Poetry)

Poem first published in its entirety in 1896. The 1814 first edition receives notice in The New Monthly Magazine (March 1815); the poem was written "in the last century" (w. 1795-1820?).

Text from The Life and Poetical Works of James Woodhouse, ed. R. I. Woodhouse, 2 vols. (London: The Leadenhall Press, 1896). <Link to Hathi Trust> <Link to LION>

06/22/2004

07/03/2012