The Ingoldsby Legends or, Mirth and Marvels. By Thomas Ingoldsby [i.e. R. H. Barham] |
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MORAL. |
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 | The Ingoldsby Legends |  |
MORAL.
And now, gentle Reader, one word ere we part,
Just take a friend's counsel, and lay it to heart.
Imprimis, don't smuggle!—if bent to please Beauty
You must buy French lace,—purchase what has paid duty
Don't use naughty words, in the next place,—and ne'er in
Your language adopt a bad habit of swearing!
Never say “Devil take me!”
Or “shake me!”—or “bake me!”
Or such-like expressions—Remember Old Nick
To take folks at their word is remarkably quick.
Another sound maxim I'd wish you to keep,
Is, “Mind what you're after, and—Look ere you Leap!”
Just take a friend's counsel, and lay it to heart.
Imprimis, don't smuggle!—if bent to please Beauty
You must buy French lace,—purchase what has paid duty
Don't use naughty words, in the next place,—and ne'er in
Your language adopt a bad habit of swearing!
Never say “Devil take me!”
Or “shake me!”—or “bake me!”
Or such-like expressions—Remember Old Nick
To take folks at their word is remarkably quick.
Another sound maxim I'd wish you to keep,
Is, “Mind what you're after, and—Look ere you Leap!”
Above all, to my last gravest caution attend—
Never borrow a horse you don't know of a friend!!!
Never borrow a horse you don't know of a friend!!!
| The Ingoldsby Legends | |