The pris'ner's friends their claim preferr'd,
In turn demanding to be heard.
INTEGRITY and HONOUR swore,
BENEVOLENCE and twenty more,
That he was always of their party,
And that they knew him firm and hearty,
RELIGION, sober dame, attended,
And, as she could, his cause befriended;
She said, 'twas since she came from college
She knew him introduc'd by KNOWLEDGE;
The man was modest and sincere,
Nor farther could she interfere.
The MUSES begg'd to interpose,
But ENVY with loud hissings rose,
And call'd them women of ill fame;
Liars, and prostitutes to shame;
And said, to all the world 'twas known,
SELIM had had them ev'ry one.
The pris'ner blush'd, the MUSES frown'd,
When silence was proclaim'd around,
And FACTION, rising with the rest,
In form the pris'ner thus address'd.