A Humble Attempt at Scurrility - viii.
When publick Welfare is its only View:
But when the Champions, whom the Publick arm
For their own Good with Pow'r, attempt their Harm,
He sure must meet the general Applause,
Who 'gainst those Traytors fights the publick Cause.
And while these Scenes the conscious Knave displease,
Who feels within the Criminal he sees,
The uncorrupt and good must smile, to find
No Mark for Satyr in his generous Mind.
As to any other Motive I had in writing, I can with Truth assure my Reader, that I should not have thought of putting Pen to Paper on this Subject, after perusing what Mr. H— published in Answer to Part of the Observations on his Advertisement, had I not been stimulated thereto by the Appearance of a Print published by the Pr—ry Party a few Days after, with a View of blackening the Reputations of some of the most valuable Men in the Community.
When I was credibly informed, that the chief Magistrate of Quilsylvania was principally instrumental in obtaining that extraordinary Production, and that he even gave the Author a considerable Sum of Money to enable him to bring his Performance into the World, tho' that very Author was well known to have frequently lampoon'd him and his Adherents, I could not but promise myself, that should I likewise be able to succeed in lashing them severely, he might also think it proper to buy me over to his Party, and afford me that Encouragement and Assistance which are so necessary to a young Author of slender Fortune.
When I first form'd the Resolution of attacking the Ch—f and his Party, it was my Purpose to endeavour to use the Weapons of delicate Satire and Ridicule; but upon considering the Nature of the Bodies I was about to assault, I was soon convinced that I might as well attempt to penetrate into the Heart of a Butcher's Block with a Razor.—Besides, as those incomparable Masters, whom I have taken for my Pattern; have so well succeeded by the Use of the Cleaver alone, it would be very imprudent in me were I to make my first Attempt with any other Weapon.
