Innocence

What stronger breast-plate than a heart untainted? Thrice is he arm'd that has his quarrel just; And he but naked, tho' lock'd up in steel, Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted.

We only who with innocence unshaken, Have stood the assaults of fortune, now are happy: For tho' the worst of men, by high permission, A while may flourish, and the best endure The sharpest trials of exploring misery, Yet let mankind from these examples learn, That powerful villainy at last shall mourn, And injur'd virtue triumph in its turn.

Virtue, dear friend, needs no defence; The surest guard is innocence: None knew, till guilt created fear, What darts or poison'd arrows were. Integrity undaunted goes Thro' Libyan sands and Scythian snows, Or where Hydaspe's wealthy side Pays tribute to the Persian pride.