I cannot suspect it in the man whom I esteem, that there is the least spur from spleen or malevolence of intent in these sallies ----I believe and know them to be truly honest and sportive: --But consider, my dear lad, that fools cannot distinguish this, --and that knaves will not: and thou knowest not what it is, either to provoke the one, or to make merry with the other: ----whenever they associate for mutual defence, depend upon it, they will carry on the war in such a manner against thee, my dear friend, as to make thee heartily sick of it, and of thy life too.
Revenge from some baneful corner shall level a tale of dishonour at thee, which no innocence of heart or integrity of conduct shall set right. ----The fortunes of thy house shall totter, --thy character, which led the way to them, shall bleed on every side of it, --thy faith questioned, --thy works belied, --thy wit forgotten, --thy learning trampled on. To wind up the last scene of thy tragedy, CRUELTY and COWARDICE, twin ruffians, hired and set on by MALICE in the dark, shall strike together at all thy infirmities and mistakes: ----The best of us, my dear lad, lie open there, ----and trust me, ----trust me, _Yorick, when to gratify a private appetite, it is once resolved upon, that an innocent and an helpless creature shall be sacrificed, 'tis an easy matter to pick up sticks enough from any thicket where it has strayed, to make a fire to offer it up with_.
_Yorick_ scarce ever heard this sad vaticination of his destiny read over to him, but with a fear stealing from his eye, and a promissory look attending it, that he was resolved, for the time to come, to ride his tit with more sobriety. --But, alas, too late! --a grand confederacy, with ***** and ***** at the head of it, was formed before the first prediction of it. --The whole plan of the attack, just as _Eugenius_ had foreboded, was put in execution all at once, --with so little mercy on the side of the allies, --and so little suspicion in _Yorick_, of what was carrying on against him, --that when he thought, good easy man! full surely preferment was o' ripening, --they had smote his root, and then he fell, as many a worthy man had fallen before him.
_Yorick_, however, fought it out with all imaginable gallantry for some time; till, overpowered by numbers, and worn out at length by the calamities of the war, --but more so, by the ungenerous manner in which it was carried on, --he threw down the sword; and though he kept up his spirits in appearance to the last, he died, nevertheless, as was generally thought, quite broken-hearted.

'I know that there is no ill-will in your jests - I believe them to be honest and playful. But consider, my dear lad, that fools cannot distinguish this, and that knaves will not: and depend upon it, they will wage war in such a manner against thee, my dear friend, as to make thee heartily sick of it, and of thy life too.
'Revenge from some baneful corner shall tell a tale of dishonour about thee, which no innocence of heart or integrity of conduct shall set right. The fortunes of thy house shall totter - thy character shall bleed: thy faith questioned, thy works belied, thy wit forgotten, thy learning trampled on. Cruelty and Cowardice, twin ruffians, hired and set on by Malice in the dark, shall strike together at thy weaknesses. Trust me, Yorick, when it is decided that an innocent creature shall be sacrificed, 'tis easy to pick up enough sticks from any thicket where it has strayed, to make a fire to burn it on.'
Yorick scarce ever heard this sad lecture without fear and promises to act more soberly. But, alas, too late! - A grand confederacy, with ***** and ***** at its head, was already formed. The plan of the attack, just as Eugenius had foreboded, was put in execution with so little mercy on the side of the allies, and so little suspicion in Yorick of what was going on, that when he thought, good easy man! that surely preferment was ripening - they cut him down at root, and then he fell.
Yorick fought gallantly for some time; till, overpowered by numbers, and worn out, he threw down the sword; and though he kept up his spirits in appearance to the last, he died, it seems, quite broken-hearted.
