I pass'd by his garden and saw the wild brier, I made him a visit, still hoping to find He had took better care for improving his mind : He told me his dreams, talk'd of eating and drinking; But he scarce reads his Bible, and never loves thinking. Said I then to my heart, 'Here's a lesson for me,' Who taught me betimes to love working and reading. INNOCENT PLAY. ABROAD in the meadows, to see the young lambs Run sporting about by the side of their dams, With fleeces so clean and so white; Or a nest of young doves in a large open cage, When they play all in love, without anger and rage. How much may we learn from the sight! If we had been ducks, we might dabble in mud, Not a thing that we do, nor a word that we say, For he's still in earnest that's hurt; How rude are the boys that throw pebbles and mire! There's none but a madman will fling about fire, And tell you, 'Tis all but in sport.' THE ROSE. How fair is the rose! what a beautiful flower! But the leaves are beginning to fade in an hour, Yet the rose has one powerful virtue to boast, When its leaves are all dead, and fine colours are Still how sweet a perfume it will yield! So frail is the youth and the beauty of men, Though they bloom and look gay like the rose : But all our fond care to preserve them is vain; Time kills them as fast as he goes. Then I'll not be proud of my youth or my beauty, But gain a good name by well doing my duty; This will scent, like a rose, when I'm dead. THE THIEF. WHY should I deprive my neighbour 'Tis a foolish self-deceiving Turns to sorrow, shame, and pain. Have not Eve and Adam taught us Oft we see a young beginner Then the gallows ends his days. Theft will not be always hidden, Guard my heart, O God of Heaven! Guard my heart and hands from sin. THE ANT, OR EMMET. THESE emmets, how little they are in our eyes! Yet, as wise as we are, if we went to their school, They don't wear their time out in sleeping or play, But gather up corn in a sunshiny day, And for winter they lay up their stores: They manage their work in such regular forms, One would think they foresaw all the frosts and the storms, And so brought their food within doors. But I have less sense than a poor creeping ant, Now, now, while my strength and my youth are in bloom, Let me think what will serve me when sickness shall And pray that my sins be forgiven: [come; Let me read in good books, and believe, and obey; That when death turns me out of this cottage of clay, I may dwell in a palace in Heaven. GOOD RESOLUTIONS. THOUGH I am now in younger days, Nor can tell what shall befal me; 'I'll prepare for every place, Where my growing age shall call me. Should I e'er be rich or great, Where I see the blind or lame, Deaf or dumb, I'll kindly treat them; I deserve to feel the same If I mock, or hurt, or cheat them. If I meet with railing tongues, When I hear them telling Jies, What though I be low and mean, |