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MELODY FIFTH. Proverbs, VII. 6, &c.

The sun was set, and evening grey
Crept o'er the plain, in lieu of day;
The bird of night pour'd forth her lay
Among the sylvan scenery.
Then from my window I did spy
What made the tear conglobe my eye;
What raised the deep heart-burden'd sigh,
And struck the strings of sympathy.
Adown the street, impell'd by fate,
A youth I saw, of airy gait,
Brush swift along, with look elate,
To meet his hidden destiny.
For, lo! a harlot, gaily dress'd,
Him to her lustful bosom press'd,
And hail'd him, as a welcome guest
For her base stanchless lechery.
Her language smooth soon gain'd his heart;
It seized him like enchantment's dart;
Her potent soul-subduing art
Him lured to matchless misery.
Her wiles he had not power to brook,
But instant snatch'd the baited hook,
And virtue's radiant path forsook
To fall through weak simplicity.
Ye youths, attend to this my tale,
Who stray through sleek temptation's vale,
Where thousands fall, which makes them wail
Through time and long eternity.
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