Alas! the small discredit of a bribe
Scarce hurts the lawyer, but undoes the scribe.

Alas! the small discredit of a bribe
Scarce hurts the lawyer, but undoes the scribe.

No mortal thing can bear so high a price,
But that with mortal thing it may be bought.

No mortal thing can bear so high a price,
But that with mortal thing it may be bought.

Flowery oratory he [Walpole] despised. He ascribed to the
interested views of themselves or their relatives the
declarations read more

Flowery oratory he [Walpole] despised. He ascribed to the
interested views of themselves or their relatives the
declarations of pretended patriots, of whom he said, "All those
men have their price."

'Tis pleasant purchasing our fellow-creatures;
And all are to be sold, if you consider
Their passions, and read more

'Tis pleasant purchasing our fellow-creatures;
And all are to be sold, if you consider
Their passions, and are dext'rous; some by features
Are brought up, others by a warlike leader;
Some by a place--as tend their years or natures;
The most by ready cash--but all have prices,
From crowns to kicks, according to their vices.

Every man has his price.

Every man has his price.

There is gold for you. Sell me your good report.

There is gold for you. Sell me your good report.

Judges and senates have been bought for gold;
Esteem and love were never to be sold.

Judges and senates have been bought for gold;
Esteem and love were never to be sold.

And ye sall walk in silk attire,
And siller hae to spare,
Gin ye'll consent to be read more

And ye sall walk in silk attire,
And siller hae to spare,
Gin ye'll consent to be his bride,
Nor think o'Donald mair.

By gold all good faith has been banished; by gold our rights are
abused; the law itself is influenced read more

By gold all good faith has been banished; by gold our rights are
abused; the law itself is influenced by gold, and soon there will
be an end of every modest restraint.
[Lat., Auro pulsa fides. auro venalia jura,
Aurum lex sequitur, mox sine lege pudor.]