The works of Mr. Thomas Brown Serious and Comical, In Prose and Verse; In four volumes. The Fourth Edition, Corrected, and much Enlarged from his Originals never before publish'd. With a key to all his Writings |
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Algernon Sidney's Letter of Advice to his Friend,
concerning the Education of his Son. By T. Brown.
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 | The works of Mr. Thomas Brown |  |
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Algernon Sidney's Letter of Advice to his Friend, concerning the Education of his Son. By T. Brown.
Since 'tis your only Study, and your Care,How to dispose of Bob, your Son and Heir,
I'll give you my Advice, Sir, in this grand Affair,
If Bob's ingenious, and a Boy of Parts,
Do not debauch him with the lib'ral Arts.
Those jilting Whores, instead of Silk and Satin,
Equipt in Linsey-woolsey, Greek, and Latin,
Will spoil his Fortune if they once come at him.
But if he is mercurially inclin'd;
Of Wit sagacious, and heroic Mind,
He'd best pursue those honourable Courses
Of picking Pockets, and of taking Purses;
And I'll prescribe the Lad a safe and true Gate,
How to avoid the dreaded Path of Newgate;
Lest bloody Judge and Jury should transport
The Boy to Tyburn—Send him to the Court;
Where in a Fortnight's Time he'll learn his Cue,
Under—
To pick the Pockets of a free-born Nation,
In furnishing two Dishes for Collation:
Like learned Cooks, as all Men grant they are,
To make the self-same Sauce to Peace and War
What better are we for this boasted Quiet,
If we must pawn our Birth-right for our Diet?
But since it is by Providence decreed,
That Liberty and Property must bleed;
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That, like good Christians, they depart in Peace.
You cannot, Sir, do better for your Lad,
Than bind him an Apprentice to this Trade:
The King's his Surety, and will not neglect him,
But with a Standing-Army still protect him.
Yet if Bob's Talent lie not in his Brains,
Make him a Parson, Neighbour, by all Means.
His Road unto Preferment, Sir, is chalk'd,
In all my Life I ne'er knew Blockhead balk'd.
As rankest Weeds in richest Soil are found,
So Spiritual Hemlock thrives in Holy Ground.
The Church and State, like Sharpers, cry out halves,
One claims the Fools, the other all the Knaves.
Thus, Sir, I've shewn you how your Son may rise
But do as seemeth good in your own Eyes:
For if your English Stomach can't digest
The rav'ning Courtier, or the Jackal Priest,
Teach him your self, and let the Son inherit
His Father's Acres, and his Father's Merit;
E'er Sense, that, like Aurora, does make Way
For brighter Reason the ensuing Day.
With Noll's great Image fill his dawning Soul,
His Fancy flatter, and his Judgment rule.
May's Actions suit unto his Country's Fame,
And keep the Rebel in the English Name.
Let him, like me, all Monarchy oppose,
And pluck the Idol by his Roman Nose.
Your Servant, Algernon Sidney.
P. S.
Your old Friend Mr. Ludlow's in good Health,And hopes to live to see a Commonwealth.
| The works of Mr. Thomas Brown | |