University of Virginia Library

50. The Ramble.

Go home loose thoughts, y' have seen enough,
Your pleasure's burnt unto a snuff:
What you conceiv'd your lasting prize,
Now proves a vapor in disguize.
Now you have rambled out your swing,
You find the world is no such thing
As you suppos'd, when you were wont
Only to stand and gaze upon't.
How many friendships were profest?
How many fawners did contest
To wait on me, while I was stay'd,
And kept me close unto my trade?
Oh what pretences, what a brood
Of promises to do me good!
These puft me up, and did invite
My fancy to some fresh delight;
Thought I, I'le try the world, and see
If starting out will better me;
I'le change the course of my estate,
And fall upon some newer fate.
Oh foolish brain! though some indeed
Seek out new fortunes, 'tis for need;
When th' old's so poor 'twill not maintain them,
Then to seek out it doth constrain them.
But he that's fixt well, he is worse
Then mad, in altering of his course;
The follie's mine. Abroad I went,
And many a silver spill I spent,
And I was welcome while it lasted;
But being gone my pleasure blasted:
And they that courted me before
Into their favours, now give o're,
And have so moulded their condition,
That they regard not my petition:
While I had silver, there would be
No want of good societie,
Such pleasant words did me assail
As use to court men into Jail.
I was a sweet young man, they said,
And did deserve as sweet a maid.
Bless him and's fortunes, prudent youth,
And I must be a Saint forsooth.
Pox take their Worships, but no matter,
This Ramble makes my knowledge fatter.
I find all pleasures are but vain;
Therefore I will go home again.