... ;But what, my friend, what hope remains for me, Who start at theft, and blush at perjury (ll. 67-68). Here, Thales appears to be depicted as revelling in his own meekness and wearing his piety with pride. I certainly believe that Thales' comments are intended, on one level, to reveal the corruption of the sinful city, but it seems that they ... joy, has, in a sense, been destroyed. After the country house is mentioned, Thales concludes his imagined vision with the couplet, 'On all thy hours security shall smile, And bless thine evening walk and morning toil' (ll. 222-223). This can ...

• Word Count: 2578
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate