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One murder made a villain,
Millions a hero. Princes were privileged
To kill, and numbers sanctified the crime.
--
Line 154. Compare: "One to destroy is murder by the law, And gibbets keep the lifted hand in awe; To murder thousands takes a specious name, War’s glorious art, and gives immortal fame", Edward Young, "Love of Fame", Satire vii, line 55.

 

Beilby Porteus

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