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Wynne, Ellis, 1671-1734

"The Visions of the Sleeping Bard"

"
Then he began to answer them one by one: "Considering thy recent origin,
Cerberus, I will not deny but that thou hast gained for us much prey in
the island of our foes through tobacco. For they that carry, mix, and
weigh it, practise all manner of fraud; and by its indulgence some are
led on to habitual drinking, some to curse and swear, and some to seek it
through blandishment, and to lie in denying their use of it--not to speak
of the injury it inflicts upon many, and its immoderate use upon all,
body as well as soul. And better than that, myriads of the poor, whom
else we never should touch, sink hither through laying the burden of
their affection upon tobacco, and allowing it to be their master, to
steal the bread from their children's mouth. Then, brother Mammon, your
power is so universal and so well-known on earth that it is a proverb,
'Everything may be had for money.' And without doubt," said he, turning
to Apolyon, "my beloved daughter Pride is most serviceable to us, for
what can there be more pernicious to a man's estate, to his body and
soul, than that proud, obdurate opinion which will make him squander a
hundred pounds rather than yield a crown to secure peace.


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