When Cynthia, Regent of the Tides, br Pale in meridian Pride presides; br A Sov'reign Pow'r the Goddess claims br O'er Seas, and Sea--supplying Streams; br The River of the richest Source br With Ease she turns, and checks his Course; br His crystal Clearness can defile br With ev'ry Filth, and Salt as vile; br However strong, and smooth, and pure, br Her Tyranny he must endure; br Till, her Dominion in the Wain, br He clears, and is himself again. br br Thus, over black, benighted Brains, br Fell Envy, baleful Goddess, reigns; br O'er mortal Passions, pale, presides; br Passions, the Soul's tumultuous Tides; br Which, in their fierce, resistless Sway, br Invade all Merit in their Way; br With Ease the clearest Truths confute, br With Ease the purest Worth pollute; br Check ev'ry Virtue in its Course, br And taint, impetuous, to its Source, br The Current of the fairest Fame, br By forcing Filth into the Stream. br br So are you sully'd for a Season, br Till Rage recoils, and yields to Reason: br Then turns the Tide--your Credit clears, br And all your real Worth appears.