Note 195 — ERA OF THE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL (continued 2)
Reading edition
In the Journal of September 11, 1782, in answer to the effusion of the "Foe to Tyrants" in the Gazetteer of September 7, entitled, "To the Foe to Malice. The Farewell." This farewell began as follows:
"When men will prostitute the power of rhime, Their dirt and malice jingling out of time; When men the sacred shrine of truth forsake, And deal in slander, just for slander's sake, 'Tis time to quit plain reason, common sense, And in their stile Correction to dispense. "Our Theme first pointed to your pale-fac'd friend Whom you forsook—unable to defend; To save his fame, you thought it best to fly To vile abuse, and low scurrility; Then feel the Weapons you yourself have us'd And blame not those you've dirtily abus'd."
The rest of the poem is too vile to reproduce.