Epigram 83. To my old Friend Mr. Rob. Grosvenor

Sir, we have heard of Slanders of that height,
As if to Paradise they directed right:
When (out, alas!) it is a foul offence
Any way to traduce an Innocence.
Those Crimes that are by some on others thrown
Guiltlesly, they do make those faults their own:
And the just Judge their punishment will give
Due to the sins that they have slander'd with.
Besides his Soul he within vengeance bounds,
That with a truth a reputation wounds:
Your Friend and mine so much abus'd doth fall
Under the First, and not the last at all.
To talk of things commonly known and true,
No mulct from Heaven will unto us accrue.
But sure he of a blest Condition is
That hates of any one to speak amiss:
That hath a merciful and candid thought,
And thinks all good, rather then any naught.
Heaven by a spotless life is won, and by
The patient bearing of an Infamy.