Flattery Rejected

Mr Joseph

Hence! Flatt’ry hence! nor pour in vain
 Thy direfull influence o’er my mind
’Tis sated — & reflects with pain
 To thy weak arts it e’er resigned

By sweet sincerity I vow
 Against thee I my soul will arm
Suspicion guards my heart & thou
 No longer hast the pow’r to charm

Yet ah! this mandate once obey’d
 “What art, what charm” the void can fill
Truth, simple truth and unarray’d
 Can ne’er produce thy rapt’rous thrill

Timanthes