  July 2, 1798. ODE TO A JACOBIN.
FROM SUCKLING’S ODE TO A LOVER. I. Unchristian Jacobin whoever, If, of thy God thou cherish ever One wavering thought; if e’er HIS word Has from one crime thy soul deterr’d,— Know this, Thou think’st amiss; And to think true, Thou must renounce Him all, and think anew. II. If, startled at the guillotine, Trembling thou touch the dread machine; If, leading sainted Louis to it, Thy steps drew back, thy heart did rue it,— Know this, Thou think’st amiss; And to think true, Must rise ’bove weak remorse, and think anew. III. If, callous, thou dost not mistake, And murder for mild Mercy’s sake; And think thou followest Pity’s call, When slaughtered thousands round thee fall,— Know this, Thou think’st amiss; And to think true, Must conquer prejudice, and think anew. IV. If, when good men are to be slain, Thou hear’st them plead, nor plead in vain; Or, when thou answerest, if it be With one jot of humanity,— Know this, Thou think’st amiss; And to think true, Must pardon leave to fools, and think anew. V. If, when all kings, priests, nobles hated, Lie headless, thy revenge is sated, Nor thirsts to load the reeking block With heads from thine own murd’rous flock,— Know this, Thou think’st amiss; And to think true, Thou must go on in blood, and think anew. VI. If, thus, by love of executions, Thou provest thee fit for revolutions; Yet one achieved, to that art true, Nor wouldst begin to change anew,— Know this, Thou think’st amiss; Deem, to think true, All constitutions bad, but those bran new. [The preceding “Ode to a Jacobin” is parodied from the following ODE TO A LOVER, Honest lover whosoever, If in all thy love was ever One wav’ring thought; if e’er thy flame Were not still even, still the same,— Know this, Thou lov’st amiss; And to love true, Thou must begin again, and love anew. If, when she appears i’ th’ room, Thou dost not quake, and art struck dumb; And, in striving this to cover, Dost not speak thy words twice over,— Know this, Thou lov’st amiss; And to love true, Thou must begin again, and love anew. If, fondly, thou dost not mistake, And all defects for graces take, Persuad’st thyself that jests are broken, When she has little or nothing spoken,— Know this, Thou lov’st amiss; And to love true, Thou must begin again, and love anew. If, when thou appear’st to be within, Thou let’st not men ask and ask again; And when thou answer’st, if it be To what was ask’d thee, properly,— Know this, Thou lov’st amiss; And to love true, Thou must begin again, and love anew. If, when thy stomach calls to eat, Thou cut’st not fingers ’stead of meat; And with much gazing on her face, Dost not rise hungry from the place,— Know this, Thou lov’st amiss; And to love true, Thou must begin again, and love anew. If, by this thou dost discover That thou art no perfect lover; And desiring to love true, Thou dost begin to love anew,— Know this, Thou lov’st amiss; And to love true, Thou must begin again, and love anew.—Ed.]
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