The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. Containing, besides his Sermons, and Essays on miscellaneous subjects, several additional pieces, Selected from his Manuscripts by the Rev. Dr. Jennings, and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, in 1753: to which are prefixed, memoirs of the life of the author, compiled by the Rev. George Burder. In six volumes |
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SONG 1.—The Sluggard.
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
SONG 1.—The Sluggard.
I
'Tis the voice of the sluggard; I heard him complain,‘You have wak'd me too soon, I must slumber again;’
As the door on its hinges, so he on his bed,
Turns his sides, and his shoulders, and his heavy head.
II
‘A little more sleep and a little more slumber;’Thus he wastes half his days, and his hours without number;
And when he gets up, he sits folding his hands,
Or walks about sauntring, or trifling he stands.
III
I pass'd by his garden, and saw the wild brier,The thorn and the thistle grow broader and higher:
The clothes that hang on him are turning to rags;
And his money still wastes, till he starves or he begs.
IV
I made him a visit, still hoping to find,He had took better care for improving his mind:
He told me his dreams, talk'd of eating and drinking:
But he scarce reads his Bible, and never loves thinking.
V
Said I then to my heart, ‘Here's a lesson for me;’That man's but a picture of what I might be:
But thanks to my friends for their care in my breeding,
Who taught me betimes to love working and reading.
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |