 | Poems, Songs and Love-Verses |  |
67
An Abcdary.
A sure Foundation makes a Building stand,But he's a Fool that builds upon the Sand.
Consider Vertue in her glorious form,
Doth Youth in all her Ornaments adorn.
Extol her Beauty, Court her Princely Eye,
For with her Wings she'll raise thee to the Sky.
Get but a place within her Breast, and know
How mean thy thoughts were when thou wert below.
If thou dost once observe the Path she treads,
Keep close, tho' over Rocks and Hills she leads:
Let not the error of the way deceive,
Mark well her course, and thou'lt some tract perceive.
Nothing so hard but Industry will gain,
Obtain her once, thou'lt find her worth thy pain.
Perchance thou'lt say, Vice leads a smoother way.
Question not so, lest thou thy self betray.
Rewards are virtues due, but pains confound,
Such vagrant Fools, with a ne're dying wound.
Turn then, and take that path that's so severe,
Unto Eternal Joy that Course will steer;
When those who court a smoother path, may go
X times more quick, yet to their overthrow.
Youth, Beauty, Strength, do often ill advise,
Zeal only with a Crown adorns the Wise.
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