The works of Alexander Pennecuik of New-Hall, M.D.; containing the description of Tweeddale, and miscellaneous poems. A new edition, with copious notes, forming a complete history of the county to the present time. To which are prefixed, memoirs of Dr Pennecuik, and a map of the shire of Peebles, or Tweeddale |
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A PARAPHRASE UPON THE SEVENTH CHAPTER OF SOLOMON'S PROVERBS. |
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 | The works of Alexander Pennecuik |  |
A PARAPHRASE UPON THE SEVENTH CHAPTER OF SOLOMON'S PROVERBS.
Verse 1st.
My son, preserve my laws, keep still in mindThy father's dictates, so thou life shall find.
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V. 2.
Let every word, and all my laws, to theeBe precious as the apple of thine eye.
V. 3.
Make them thy daily work, and hourly care,And get them all by heart, and fix them there;
Count wisdom as thy bliss, and all thy joy,
Wisdom, whose sweet possession cannot cloy;
Call her thy sister, and call understanding
Thy dearest friend, to get a happy landing.
These if thou keep with due respect and care,
They'll free thee from the flattering lips and snare
Of the strange woman, who spreads down with art
Her net to catch thy weak, ill-guarded heart.
V. 6.
I through the casement of my window sawAmongst the crowd a simple youth and raw,
Both void of knowledge, and as void of care,
Rambling the streets to seek the sinful snare;
At length the harlot and the house he spies,
Lying in wait for her beloved prize.
The sun was down, the night was taking place,
A proper time to hide her painted face,
And black design, far blacker than the night,
For virtue loves, but vice still hates the light.
Her dress was wanton, made for to train in
The silly coxcombs to the fatal gin;
Her tongue loud as a bell, her wand'ring feet
Do still traverse and beat the paved street;
With shameless face and impudence enough,
She caught and kissed the fool unwary youth,
And subtily, says, Pray Sir, enter in,
For my rich bed is nobly decked within
To feast our loves, and I have lately paid
My vows to heaven, and am no ways dismayed;
I've made peace offerings for my guilt and sin,
I came to meet thee, so my dear come in;
Since we have paid to heav'n all that is due,
Must we not pay a debt to pleasure too?
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To give delight, and make thee only mine.
My bed (but when your there) I'll call it thine,
With Egypt's stuff most splendidly doth shine,
With gilded work, and carved, it is embost,
With Tyrian purple brought from thence with cost;
It's strewed with pleasures, nothing left undone,
Perfumed with aloes, myrrh, and cinnamon;
So let us take our fill of love, my dear,
For we're alone, and have no dread or fear;
My husband hath a far off journey made,
With bags of money drives a wealthy trade;
Silver and credit he hath both in store,
He is not to return to me before
The time prefixed; O! then, let's quickly take
The blest occasion which we have at stake.
With sugar'd words, and fair deluding tongue,
She thus did charm, and to her lure him win;
Just like an ox who to the slaughter's led,
Which for long time is strongly stalled and fed;
Or, like a fool that to the stocks is sent,
To learn more wisdom thence, and to repent:
The fatal dart doth pass his liver through,
Yet the poor youth his danger doth not view;
But, like a bird entangled in the net,
Doth not perceive that for his life it's set.
Therefore, young wantons, I beseech you all
To shun the harlot's house and lustful call;
Decline her paths, abhor her whorish bed,
Which doth to hell and desolation lead.
Many a sprightly youth, of genteel mien,
By wanton women ruined have I seen;
And many a strong and gallant man at arms
Have been bewitch'd by their too powerful charms.
O! fly that sinful house, where she doth dwell,
For it's the very avenue to hell;
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And to the chambers of eternal death.
| The works of Alexander Pennecuik | |