debauch

But the Devil had met with too much Success in his first Attempts, not to go on with his general Resolution of debauching the Minds of Men, and bringing them off from God.

Those who with nine months toil had spoil’d a Play,

In hopes of Eating at a full Third day,

Justly despairing longer to sustain

A craving Stomach from an empty Brain,

Have left Stage-Practice, chang’d their old Vocations,

Atoning for bad Plays, with worse Translations,

And like old Sternhold with laborious spite,

Burlesque what nobler Muses better write:

Thus while they for their Causes only seem

To change the Channel, they corrupt the Stream.

So breaking Vintners to increase their Wine,

With nauseous Drugs debauch the generous Vine:

So barren Gipsies for recruit are said,

With Strangers Issue to maintain the Trade;

But lest the fair Bantling should be known,

A daubing Walnut makes him all their own.