Labour in Vain or, What Signifies Little or Nothing. Viz. I. The Poor Man's Petitioning at Court. II. Expectation of Benefit from a Covetous Man in his Life-time. III. The Marriage of an Old Man to a Young Woman. IV. Endeavours to Regulate Mens Manners by Preaching or Writing. V. Being a Jacobite. VI. Confining an Insolvent Debtor. VII. Promise of Secrecy in a Conspiracy. VIII. An Enquiry after a Place [by Edward Ward] |
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[Whilst a protecting Providence do sway] |
 | Labour in Vain |  |
21
[Whilst a protecting Providence do sway]
Whilst a protecting Providence do sway,Whilst Men Inspir'd dictates do obey,
Whilst Life has Value, and Reward has Love,
Protested Secresie in Ill does prove
Of small Validity; the first will act
What's Consonant to Justice of a Fact:
The Second by Impulsive Power Command,
What wo'n't Man do to keep his wasting Sand?
And bountiful Reward makes Men betray
Their dearest Kin, and Friendship wipes away.
Subject to Power, and tempted by a Bait,
Too pleasing to deny, of little weight
Proves promis'd Privacy; then why should I
Meddle in Plots, in Hopes of Secresie?
| Labour in Vain | |