Date: 1752

"In vain--The Master-Passion governs still, / And forces you to yield against your Will"

— Duncombe, John (1729-1786) [pseud.]

Date: 1752

Pleasure is "the secret Spring that actuates man"

— Duncombe, John (1729-1786) [pseud.]

Date: 1752

"Worse than the other--Whom, thus robb'd of Pow'r. / His former Passions fatally devour!"

— Duncombe, John (1729-1786) [pseud.]

Date: 1752

"Weak, impotent, yet wishing to be free, / You are by much a greater Slave, than me; / A Slave, to ev'ry Gust that shakes your Mind, / Your Eyes broad open, and your Senses blind."

— Duncombe, John (1729-1786) [pseud.]

Date: 1752

"Disguis'd in vain, wake from your foolish Dream, / And own yourself the very Slave you seem; / The Slave of Passion; which perverts Truth's Plan, / And sinks the virtuous in the vicious Man."

— Duncombe, John (1729-1786) [pseud.]

Date: 1752

"Well! does that make you wise, / Or open on your Follies, Reason's Eyes!"

— Duncombe, John (1729-1786) [pseud.]

Date: 1752

"Caution'd in vain--Oh! ever Passion's Slave! / You tempt your Fate, and the same Dangers brave."

— Duncombe, John (1729-1786) [pseud.]

Date: 1752

A puppet may be "compell'd by secret Springs" just as an engine "moves with Motions not its own"

— Duncombe, John (1729-1786) [pseud.]

Date: 1754

"Such high regard on Piety I place, / On pure simplicity of life; a breast / Steel'd against bribes, by naked truth possess'd, / And with a spotless rigid conscience blest"

— Duncombe, John (1729-1786) [pseud.]