Chapter L: Letter XIX: The Poor of the Borough

THE PARISH-CLERK.

Nam dives qui fieri vult,
Et citò vult fieri; sed quæ reverentia legum,
Quis metus aut pudor est unquam properantis avari?

_Juvenal._ Sat. 14 [vv. 176-8].

Nocte brevem si forte indulsit cura soporem,
Et toto versata thoro jam membra quiescunt,
Continuò templum et violati Numinis aras,
Et, quod præcipuis mentem sudoribus urget,
Te videt in somnis; tua sacra et major imago
Humanâ turbat pavidum, cogitque fateri.

_Juvenal._ Sat. 13 [vv. 217-22].

The Parish-Clerk began his Duties with the late Vicar, a grave and
austere Man; one fully orthodox; a Detecter and Opposer of the
Wiles of Satan--His Opinion of his own Fortitude--The more frail
offended by these Professions--His good Advice gives further
Provocation--They invent Stratagems to overcome his Virtue--His
Triumph--He is yet not invulnerable: is assaulted by Fear of Want,
and Avarice--He gradually yields to the Seduction--He reasons with
himself and is persuaded--He offends, but with Terror; repeats his
Offence; grows familiar with Crime; is detected--His Sufferings
and Death.