Thou pernicious caterpillar, that preyest upon the fair leaf of virgin
fame, and poisonest those leaves which thou canst not devour!
Thou fell blight, thou eastern blast, thou overspreading mildew, that
destroyest the early promises of the shining year! that mockest the
laborious toil, and blastest the joyful hopes, of the painful
husbandman!
Thou fretting moth, that corruptest the fairest garment!
Thou eating canker-worm, that preyest upon the opening bud, and turnest
the damask-rose into livid yellowness!
If, as religion teaches us, God will judge us, in a great measure, by
our benevolent or evil actions to one another—O wretch! bethink thee,
in time bethink thee, how great must be thy condemnation!