Greenfield Hill A poem in seven parts. I. The prospect. II. The flourishing village. III. The burning of Fairfield. IV. The destruction of the Pequods. V. The clergyman's advice to the villagers. VI. The farmer's advice to the villagers. VII. The vision, or prospect of the future happiness of America |
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| 6. | PART VI.
The FARMER'S ADVICE TO THE VILLAGERS. |
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 | Greenfield Hill |  |
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6. PART VI.
The FARMER'S ADVICE TO THE VILLAGERS.
THE ARGUMENT.
Introduction . Farmer introduced. Villagers assembled. He recommends to them an industrious and œconomical life, the careful education and government of their children, and particularly the establishment of good habits in early life; enjoins upon them the offices of good neighbourhood, the avoidance of litigation, and the careful cultivation of parochial harmony. Conclusion.
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Ye children of my fondest care,
With tenderest love, and frequent prayer,
This solemn charge, my voice has given,
To prompt, and guide, your steps to heaven.
Your present welfare now demands
A different tribute, from my hands.
With tenderest love, and frequent prayer,
This solemn charge, my voice has given,
To prompt, and guide, your steps to heaven.
Your present welfare now demands
A different tribute, from my hands.
Not long since liv'd a Farmer plain,
Intent to gather honest gain,
Laborious, prudent, thrifty, neat,
Of judgment strong, experience great,
In solid homespun clad, and tidy,
And with no coxcomb learning giddy.
Daily, to hear his maxims sound,
Th' approaching neighbours flock'd around;
Daily they saw his counsels prove
The source of union, peace, and love,
The means of prudence, and of wealth,
Of comfort, cheerfulness, and health:
And all, who follow'd his advice,
Appear'd more prosperous, as more wise.
Intent to gather honest gain,
Laborious, prudent, thrifty, neat,
Of judgment strong, experience great,
In solid homespun clad, and tidy,
And with no coxcomb learning giddy.
Daily, to hear his maxims sound,
Th' approaching neighbours flock'd around;
Daily they saw his counsels prove
The source of union, peace, and love,
The means of prudence, and of wealth,
Of comfort, cheerfulness, and health:
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Appear'd more prosperous, as more wise.
Wearied, at length, with many a call,
The sage resolv'd to summon all:
And gathering, on a pleasant monday,
A crowd not always seen on sunday,
Curious to hear, while hard they press'd him,
In friendly terms, he thus address'd 'em.
The sage resolv'd to summon all:
And gathering, on a pleasant monday,
A crowd not always seen on sunday,
Curious to hear, while hard they press'd him,
In friendly terms, he thus address'd 'em.
“My friends, you have my kindest wishes;
Pray think a neighbour not officious,
While thus, to teach you how to live,
My very best advice I give.”
Pray think a neighbour not officious,
While thus, to teach you how to live,
My very best advice I give.”
“And first, industrious be your lives;
Alike employ'd yourselves, and wives:
Your children, join'd in labour gay,
With something useful fill each day.
Those little times of leisure save,
Which most men lose, and all men have;
The half days, when a job is done;
The whole days, when a storm is on.
Few know, without a strict account,
To what these little times amount:
If wasted, while the same your cost,
The sums, you might have earn'd, are lost.”
Alike employ'd yourselves, and wives:
Your children, join'd in labour gay,
With something useful fill each day.
Those little times of leisure save,
Which most men lose, and all men have;
The half days, when a job is done;
The whole days, when a storm is on.
Few know, without a strict account,
To what these little times amount:
If wasted, while the same your cost,
The sums, you might have earn'd, are lost.”
“Learn small things never to despise:
You little think how fast they rise.
A rich reward the mill obtains,
Tho' but two quarts a bushel gains:
Still rolling on it's steady rounds,
The farthings soon are turn'd to pounds.”
You little think how fast they rise.
A rich reward the mill obtains,
Tho' but two quarts a bushel gains:
Still rolling on it's steady rounds,
The farthings soon are turn'd to pounds.”
“Nor think a life of toil severe:
No life has blessings so sincere.
It's meals so luscious, sleep so sweet,
Such vigorous limbs, such health complete,
A mind so active, brisk, and gay,
As his, who toils the livelong day.
A life of sloth drags hardly on;
Suns set too late, and rise too soon;
Youth, manhood, age, all linger slow,
To him, who nothing has to do.
The drone, a nuisance to the hive,
Stays, but can scarce be said to live;
And well the bees, those judges wise,
Plague, chase, and sting him, 'till he dies.
Lawrence,
like him, tho' sav'd from hanging,
Yet every day deserves a banging.”
No life has blessings so sincere.
It's meals so luscious, sleep so sweet,
Such vigorous limbs, such health complete,
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As his, who toils the livelong day.
A life of sloth drags hardly on;
Suns set too late, and rise too soon;
Youth, manhood, age, all linger slow,
To him, who nothing has to do.
The drone, a nuisance to the hive,
Stays, but can scarce be said to live;
And well the bees, those judges wise,
Plague, chase, and sting him, 'till he dies.
Lawrence,
THIS part of the poem, though designed, in a degree, for persons in most employments of life, is immediately addressed to Farmers. As almost all the inhabitants of Greenfield, and of New England, are farmers, it was supposed by the writer, that this circumstance naturally directed to such an address.
A proverbial name, in some parts of New England, for a lazy person.
Yet every day deserves a banging.”
“Let order o'er your time preside,
And method all your business guide.
Early begin, and end, your toil;
Nor let great tasks your hands embroil.
One thing at once, be still begun,
Contriv'd, resolv'd, pursued, and done.
Hire not, for what yourselves can do;
And send not, when yourselves can go;
Nor, 'till to-morrow's light, delay
What might as well be done to-day.
By steady efforts all men thrive,
And long by moderate labour live;
While eager toil, and anxious care,
Health, strength, and peace, and life, impair.”
And method all your business guide.
Early begin, and end, your toil;
Nor let great tasks your hands embroil.
One thing at once, be still begun,
Contriv'd, resolv'd, pursued, and done.
Hire not, for what yourselves can do;
And send not, when yourselves can go;
Nor, 'till to-morrow's light, delay
What might as well be done to-day.
By steady efforts all men thrive,
And long by moderate labour live;
While eager toil, and anxious care,
Health, strength, and peace, and life, impair.”
“What thus your hands with labour earn,
To save, be now your next concern.
Whate'er to health, or real use,
Or true enjoyment, will conduce,
Use freely, and with pleasure use;
But ne'er the gifts of Heaven abuse:
I joy to see your treasur'd stores,
Which smiling Plenty copious pours;
Your cattle sleek, your poultry fine,
Your cider in the tumbler shine,
Your tables, smoking from the hoard,
And children smiling round the board.
All rights to use in you conspire;
The labourer's worthy of his hire.
Ne'er may that hated day arrive,
When worse yourselves, or your's, shall live;
Your dress, your lodging, or your food,
Be less abundant, neat, or good;
Your dainties all to market go,
To feast the epicure, and beau;
But ever on your tables stand,
Proofs of a free and happy land.”
To save, be now your next concern.
Whate'er to health, or real use,
Or true enjoyment, will conduce,
Use freely, and with pleasure use;
But ne'er the gifts of Heaven abuse:
I joy to see your treasur'd stores,
Which smiling Plenty copious pours;
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Your cider in the tumbler shine,
Your tables, smoking from the hoard,
And children smiling round the board.
All rights to use in you conspire;
The labourer's worthy of his hire.
Ne'er may that hated day arrive,
When worse yourselves, or your's, shall live;
Your dress, your lodging, or your food,
Be less abundant, neat, or good;
Your dainties all to market go,
To feast the epicure, and beau;
But ever on your tables stand,
Proofs of a free and happy land.”
“Yet still, with prudence, wear, and taste;
Use what you please, but nothing waste:
On little, better far to live,
Than, poor and pitied, much survive.
Like ants, lay something up in store,
Against the winter of threescore.
Disease may long your strength annoy;
Weakness and pain your limbs destroy;
On sorrow's bed your housholds lie;
Your debtors fail, your cattle die;
Your crops untimely seasons kill,
And life be worn with many an ill.”
Use what you please, but nothing waste:
On little, better far to live,
Than, poor and pitied, much survive.
Like ants, lay something up in store,
Against the winter of threescore.
Disease may long your strength annoy;
Weakness and pain your limbs destroy;
On sorrow's bed your housholds lie;
Your debtors fail, your cattle die;
Your crops untimely seasons kill,
And life be worn with many an ill.”
“Lo too, your little flocks demand
Much from the kind parental hand;
Your sons or learning, trades, or farms;
Your daughter's portions, with their charms:
From prudence, this provision flows,
And all, from little savings, grows.”
Much from the kind parental hand;
Your sons or learning, trades, or farms;
Your daughter's portions, with their charms:
From prudence, this provision flows,
And all, from little savings, grows.”
“And, O ye fair! this toil demands
The efforts of your faithful-hands.
If wealth, your husband's hearts are wishing,
Of you, they first must ask permission.
By Heaven conjoin'd, to gain, and have,
'Tis their's to earn; 'tis yours to save:
Whatever from their labour grows,
Careful, you keep, but, heedless, lose.”
The efforts of your faithful-hands.
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Of you, they first must ask permission.
By Heaven conjoin'd, to gain, and have,
'Tis their's to earn; 'tis yours to save:
Whatever from their labour grows,
Careful, you keep, but, heedless, lose.”
“'Tis folly in th' extreme, to till
Extensive fields, and till them ill.
The farmer, pleas'd, may boast aloud
His bushels sown, his acres plough'd;
And, pleas'd, indulge the cheering hope,
That time will bring a plenteous crop.
Shrewd Common-sense sits laughing by,
And sees his hopes abortive die:
For, when maturing seasons smile,
Thin sheaves shall disappoint his toil.
Advis'd, this empty pride expel;
Till little, and that little well.
Of taxes, fencing, toil, no more,
Your ground requires, when rich, than poor;
And more one fertile acre yields,
Than the huge breadth of barren fields.
That mould, the leaves, for ages, spread,
Is, long since, with the forests, fled;
That slender ploughing, trifling care,
No longer will your fields prepare.
Some new manure must now be found;
Some better culture fit the ground.
Oft turn the soil to feel the weather;
Manure from every quarter gather,
Weeds, ashes, Paris-plaister, lime,
Marle, sea-weed, and the harbour slime.
Like Germans bid your acres thrive;
But not like stinting Germans live.
Extensive fields, and till them ill.
The farmer, pleas'd, may boast aloud
His bushels sown, his acres plough'd;
And, pleas'd, indulge the cheering hope,
That time will bring a plenteous crop.
Shrewd Common-sense sits laughing by,
And sees his hopes abortive die:
For, when maturing seasons smile,
Thin sheaves shall disappoint his toil.
Advis'd, this empty pride expel;
Till little, and that little well.
Of taxes, fencing, toil, no more,
Your ground requires, when rich, than poor;
And more one fertile acre yields,
Than the huge breadth of barren fields.
That mould, the leaves, for ages, spread,
Is, long since, with the forests, fled;
That slender ploughing, trifling care,
No longer will your fields prepare.
Some new manure must now be found;
Some better culture fit the ground.
Oft turn the soil to feel the weather;
Manure from every quarter gather,
Weeds, ashes, Paris-plaister, lime,
Marle, sea-weed, and the harbour slime.
Like Germans bid your acres thrive;
But not like stinting Germans live.
“Let every grass of kindly seed
Exterminate the noisome weed;
The clover round your pastures blow;
The rye-grass o'er your meadows bow:
Hence the rich mow your barns shall fill;
Hence with rich green your pastures smile;
The ox, untir'd, his toil sustain,
And fat steers frisk it, o'er the plain.”
Exterminate the noisome weed;
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The rye-grass o'er your meadows bow:
Hence the rich mow your barns shall fill;
Hence with rich green your pastures smile;
The ox, untir'd, his toil sustain,
And fat steers frisk it, o'er the plain.”
“Your herds feed well, increase, amend,
And from the wintery storm defend.
No source will surer profit give,
Or furnish easier means to live.
The grazier hugs his cool retreat,
And smiles, to see the farmer sweat;
To see much labour little yield,
The gleanings of a worne-out field;
While glistening beeves around him sport,
And drovers to his house resort;
Manur'd, huge swarths his meadows load,
And heavy harvests proudly nod.”
And from the wintery storm defend.
No source will surer profit give,
Or furnish easier means to live.
The grazier hugs his cool retreat,
And smiles, to see the farmer sweat;
To see much labour little yield,
The gleanings of a worne-out field;
While glistening beeves around him sport,
And drovers to his house resort;
Manur'd, huge swarths his meadows load,
And heavy harvests proudly nod.”
“Let useful flocks your care demand,
Best riches of a happy land.
From them, shall swell the fleecy store,
And want, and rags, depart your door;
Your daughters find a sweet employ,
And, singing, turn the wheel with joy:
With homespun rich the loom be gay;
Your housholds clad in bright array;
And female toil more profit yield,
Than half the labours of the field.”
Best riches of a happy land.
From them, shall swell the fleecy store,
And want, and rags, depart your door;
Your daughters find a sweet employ,
And, singing, turn the wheel with joy:
With homespun rich the loom be gay;
Your housholds clad in bright array;
And female toil more profit yield,
Than half the labours of the field.”
“When first the market offers well,
At once your yearly produce sell.
A higher price you wait in vain,
And ten times lose, where once you gain.
The dog, that at the shadow caught,
Miss'd all he had, and all he sought.
At once your yearly produce sell.
A higher price you wait in vain,
And ten times lose, where once you gain.
The dog, that at the shadow caught,
Miss'd all he had, and all he sought.
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Less, day by day, your store will grow,
Gone, you scarce know or when, or how;
Interest will eat, while you delay,
And vermin steal your hopes away.
In parcels sold, in ways unknown,
It melts, and, unobserv'd, is gone.
No solid purpose driblets aid,
Spent, and forgot, as soon as paid:
The sum, a year's whole earnings yield,
Will pay a debt, or buy a field.”
Gone, you scarce know or when, or how;
Interest will eat, while you delay,
And vermin steal your hopes away.
In parcels sold, in ways unknown,
It melts, and, unobserv'd, is gone.
No solid purpose driblets aid,
Spent, and forgot, as soon as paid:
The sum, a year's whole earnings yield,
Will pay a debt, or buy a field.”
“In time, whate'er your needs require,
Lay in, of clothing, food, or fire.
Your cellars, barns, and granaries fill;
Your wood, in winter, round you pile:
Let spring ne'er see th' exhausted mow,
Or oxen faint, before the plough;
Nor summer, when it's hurries come,
Your wood, in harvest, carted home.”
Lay in, of clothing, food, or fire.
Your cellars, barns, and granaries fill;
Your wood, in winter, round you pile:
Let spring ne'er see th' exhausted mow,
Or oxen faint, before the plough;
Nor summer, when it's hurries come,
Your wood, in harvest, carted home.”
“Along the side of sloping hills,
Conduct your numerous living rills.
Thence bid them, sweetly-wandering, flow,
To wake the grass, in fields below.
Rich meadows in their course shall spring,
And mowers whet the scythe, and sing.”
Conduct your numerous living rills.
Thence bid them, sweetly-wandering, flow,
To wake the grass, in fields below.
Rich meadows in their course shall spring,
And mowers whet the scythe, and sing.”
“Look round, and see your woods decay'd,
Your fuel scarce, your timber fled.
What groves remain with care enclose,
Nor e'er to biting herds expose.
Your store with planted nuts renew,
And acorns o'er each barren strew.
Tho' spring now smiles, yet winter's blast
Will soon the frozen skies o'ercast;
And, pinch'd, your children crowding nigher,
Hang shivering o'er the scanty sire:
Rouse! your reluctant sloth o'ercome,
And bid reviving forests bloom.”
Your fuel scarce, your timber fled.
What groves remain with care enclose,
Nor e'er to biting herds expose.
Your store with planted nuts renew,
And acorns o'er each barren strew.
Tho' spring now smiles, yet winter's blast
Will soon the frozen skies o'ercast;
And, pinch'd, your children crowding nigher,
Hang shivering o'er the scanty sire:
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And bid reviving forests bloom.”
“Yearly the house, the barn, the fence,
Demand much care, and some expence.
Small sums, in time, with prudence paid,
Will profit more than great, delay'd:
Each year's decays in time repair,
Nor foolish waste, thro' want of care.”
Demand much care, and some expence.
Small sums, in time, with prudence paid,
Will profit more than great, delay'd:
Each year's decays in time repair,
Nor foolish waste, thro' want of care.”
“Neat be your farms: 'tis long confess'd,
The neatest farmers are the best.
Each bog, and marsh, industrious drain,
Nor let vile balks deform the plain;
No bushes on your headlands grow,
Nor briars a sloven's culture show.
Neat be your barns; your houses neat;
Your doors be clean; your court-yards sweet;
No moss the sheltering roof inshroud;
No wooden panes the window cloud;
No filthy kennel foully flow;
Nor weeds with rankling poison grow:
But shades expand, and fruit-trees bloom,
And flowering shrubs exhale perfume.
With pales, your gardens circle round;
Defend, enrich, and clean, the ground:
Prize high this pleasing, useful rood,
And fill with vegetable good.”
The neatest farmers are the best.
Each bog, and marsh, industrious drain,
Nor let vile balks deform the plain;
No bushes on your headlands grow,
Nor briars a sloven's culture show.
Neat be your barns; your houses neat;
Your doors be clean; your court-yards sweet;
No moss the sheltering roof inshroud;
No wooden panes the window cloud;
No filthy kennel foully flow;
Nor weeds with rankling poison grow:
But shades expand, and fruit-trees bloom,
And flowering shrubs exhale perfume.
With pales, your gardens circle round;
Defend, enrich, and clean, the ground:
Prize high this pleasing, useful rood,
And fill with vegetable good.”
“With punctual hand your taxes pay,
Nor put far off the evil day.
How soon to an enormous size,
Taxes, succeeding taxes, rise!
How easy, one by one, discharg'd!
How hardly, in the mass enlarg'd!
How humbling the intrusive dun!
How fast, how far, th' expences run!
Fees, advertisements, travel, cost,
And that sad end of all, the post!
This gulph of quick perdition flee,
And live, from duns and bailiffs free.”
Nor put far off the evil day.
How soon to an enormous size,
Taxes, succeeding taxes, rise!
How easy, one by one, discharg'd!
How hardly, in the mass enlarg'd!
How humbling the intrusive dun!
How fast, how far, th' expences run!
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And that sad end of all, the post!
This gulph of quick perdition flee,
And live, from duns and bailiffs free.”
“In merchants' books, from year to year,
Be cautious how your names appear.
How fast their little items count!
How great, beyond your hopes, th' amount!
When shelves, o'er shelves, inviting stand,
And wares allure, on either hand;
While round, you turn enchanted eyes,
And feel a thousand wants arise,
(Ye young, ye fair, these counsels true
Are penn'd for all, but most for you),
Ere Fancy lead your hearts astray,
Think of the means you have, to pay;
What wants are nature's; fancy's what;
What will yield real good, when bought;
What certain, future means you find,
To cancel contracts, left behind;
What means to make the first of May
To you, and your's, a welcome day.”
Be cautious how your names appear.
How fast their little items count!
How great, beyond your hopes, th' amount!
When shelves, o'er shelves, inviting stand,
And wares allure, on either hand;
While round, you turn enchanted eyes,
And feel a thousand wants arise,
(Ye young, ye fair, these counsels true
Are penn'd for all, but most for you),
Ere Fancy lead your hearts astray,
Think of the means you have, to pay;
What wants are nature's; fancy's what;
What will yield real good, when bought;
What certain, future means you find,
To cancel contracts, left behind;
What means to make the first of May
To you, and your's, a welcome day.”
“To you, let each returning spring
That day of certain reckoning bring;
All debts to cancel, books t' adjust,
And check the wild career of trust.
From frequent reckonings friendship grows,
And peace, and sweet communion, flows.”
That day of certain reckoning bring;
All debts to cancel, books t' adjust,
And check the wild career of trust.
From frequent reckonings friendship grows,
And peace, and sweet communion, flows.”
“Meanwhile, of all your toil, and care,
Your children claim the largest share.
In health, and sickness, much they need,
To nurse, to watch, to clothe, and feed;
Their education much demands
From faithful hearts, and active hands.”
For more than twenty years, the writer of this poem has been employed in the business of education, and, in that time, has had, in a greater or less degree, the superintendence of almost a thousand young persons, of both sexes. Almost all the sentiments here expressed, concerning the instruction, government, and habituation, of children, he has seen often proved to be just, through the whole course of this extensive experience. He is induced to these observations by a full, experimental conviction of the entirely theoretical and visionary nature of several modern opinions on the subject; opinions, published by men, of genius indeed, but wholly inexperienced in education; men who educate children on paper, as a geometrician circumnavigates the globe, in half a dozen spherical triangles. On some future occasion, he may, perhaps, take the liberty to offer to the public some further sentiments, on this copious and very interesting subject. In the mean time, he believes, that these may be safely adopted by such, as have not acquired more extensive information, and for such only are they designed.
Your children claim the largest share.
In health, and sickness, much they need,
To nurse, to watch, to clothe, and feed;
Their education much demands
From faithful hearts, and active hands.”
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“First be their health your constant care;
Give them to breathe the freest air:
Their food be neither rich, nor dainty,
But plain, and clean, and good, and plenty:
Their clothes, let changing seasons rule,
In winter warm, in summer cool,
In your own houses spun, and dy'd,
For comfort made, and not for pride.
Hardy, not suffering, be their life,
With heat, and cold, and storm, at strife;
Accustom'd common ills to bear,
To smile at danger, laugh at fear,
Troubles to brave, with hardy breast,
And seek, thro' toilsome action, rest.
Teach them each manly art to prize,
And base effem'nacy despise,
Teach them to wrestle, leap, and run,
To win the palm, and prize it, won;
To seek, in acts like these, and find
A nervous frame, and vigorous mind.”
Give them to breathe the freest air:
Their food be neither rich, nor dainty,
But plain, and clean, and good, and plenty:
Their clothes, let changing seasons rule,
In winter warm, in summer cool,
In your own houses spun, and dy'd,
For comfort made, and not for pride.
Hardy, not suffering, be their life,
With heat, and cold, and storm, at strife;
Accustom'd common ills to bear,
To smile at danger, laugh at fear,
Troubles to brave, with hardy breast,
And seek, thro' toilsome action, rest.
Teach them each manly art to prize,
And base effem'nacy despise,
Teach them to wrestle, leap, and run,
To win the palm, and prize it, won;
To seek, in acts like these, and find
A nervous frame, and vigorous mind.”
“My country's youth, I see with pain,
The customs of their sires disdain,
Quit the bold pastimes of the green,
That strengthen striplings into men,
Grovel in inns, at cards, and dice,
The means of foul disease, and vice,
And waste, in gaming, drink, and strife,
Health, honour, fame, and peace, and life.”
The customs of their sires disdain,
Quit the bold pastimes of the green,
That strengthen striplings into men,
Grovel in inns, at cards, and dice,
The means of foul disease, and vice,
And waste, in gaming, drink, and strife,
Health, honour, fame, and peace, and life.”
“With gentler hand, your daughters train,
The housewife's various arts to gain;
O'er scenes domestic to preside;
The needle, wheel, and shuttle, guide;
The peacock's gaudry to despise,
And view vain sports with parents' eyes;
On things of use to fix the heart,
And gild, with every graceful art.
Teach them, with neatest, simplest dress,
A neat, and lovely mind t'express;
Th' alluring female mien to wear;
Gently to soothe corroding care;
Bid life with added pleasure glow,
And sweetly charm the bed of woe.
To show, the giddy fair-one train'd,
With every ugly spot is stain'd;
While she, who lives to worth, and duty,
Shines forth, in Wisdom's eye, a beauty.”
The housewife's various arts to gain;
O'er scenes domestic to preside;
The needle, wheel, and shuttle, guide;
The peacock's gaudry to despise,
And view vain sports with parents' eyes;
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And gild, with every graceful art.
Teach them, with neatest, simplest dress,
A neat, and lovely mind t'express;
Th' alluring female mien to wear;
Gently to soothe corroding care;
Bid life with added pleasure glow,
And sweetly charm the bed of woe.
To show, the giddy fair-one train'd,
With every ugly spot is stain'd;
While she, who lives to worth, and duty,
Shines forth, in Wisdom's eye, a beauty.”
“With steady hand your houshold sway,
And use them always to obey.
Always their worthy acts commend;
Always against their faults contend;
The mind inform; the conscience move;
And blame, with tenderness, and love.
When round they flock, and smile, and tell
Their lambkin sports, and infant weal,
Nor foolish laugh, nor fret, nor frown;
But all their little interests own;
Like them, those trifles serious deem,
And daily witness your esteem:
Yourselves their best friends always prove,
For filial duty springs from love.
Teach them, with confidence t' impart,
Each secret purpose of the heart:
Thrice happy parents, children bless'd,
Of mutual confidence possess'd!
Such parents shall their children see
From vice, and shame, and anguish, free.”
And use them always to obey.
Always their worthy acts commend;
Always against their faults contend;
The mind inform; the conscience move;
And blame, with tenderness, and love.
When round they flock, and smile, and tell
Their lambkin sports, and infant weal,
Nor foolish laugh, nor fret, nor frown;
But all their little interests own;
Like them, those trifles serious deem,
And daily witness your esteem:
Yourselves their best friends always prove,
For filial duty springs from love.
Teach them, with confidence t' impart,
Each secret purpose of the heart:
Thrice happy parents, children bless'd,
Of mutual confidence possess'd!
Such parents shall their children see
From vice, and shame, and anguish, free.”
“Correct not, 'til the coming day
Has fann'd resentment's heat away.
When passion rules, 'tis fear obeys;
But duty serves, when reason sways.
In earliest years, the rod will mend;
In later, fails to reach the end.
Still vary: let neglect, disgrace,
Confinement, censure, find their place.
Convince, ere you correct, and prove
You punish, not from rage, but love;
And teach them, with persuasion mild,
You hate the fault, but love the child.”
Has fann'd resentment's heat away.
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But duty serves, when reason sways.
In earliest years, the rod will mend;
In later, fails to reach the end.
Still vary: let neglect, disgrace,
Confinement, censure, find their place.
Convince, ere you correct, and prove
You punish, not from rage, but love;
And teach them, with persuasion mild,
You hate the fault, but love the child.”
“All discipline, as facts attest,
In private minister'd, is best.
Vex'd to be seen disgrac'd, and sham'd,
His passion rous'd, his pride inflam'd,
Your child his guilt with care conceals,
And pertly talks, and stoutly feels;
From truth, with swift declension flies,
To arts, equivocations, lies;
And sullen broods, with sad design,
O'er sweet revenge of future sin.
Alone, before the parent's bar,
His conscience with himself at war,
Of pride, and petulance, bereft,
Without a hope, or refuge, left,
He shrinks, beneath a father's eye,
And feels his firm perverseness die;
Reveres the love, his sighs implore,
And grateful turns, to sin no more.”
In private minister'd, is best.
Vex'd to be seen disgrac'd, and sham'd,
His passion rous'd, his pride inflam'd,
Your child his guilt with care conceals,
And pertly talks, and stoutly feels;
From truth, with swift declension flies,
To arts, equivocations, lies;
And sullen broods, with sad design,
O'er sweet revenge of future sin.
Alone, before the parent's bar,
His conscience with himself at war,
Of pride, and petulance, bereft,
Without a hope, or refuge, left,
He shrinks, beneath a father's eye,
And feels his firm perverseness die;
Reveres the love, his sighs implore,
And grateful turns, to sin no more.”
“On uniformity depends
All government, that gains its ends.
The same things always praise, and blame,
Your laws, and conduct, be the same.”
All government, that gains its ends.
The same things always praise, and blame,
Your laws, and conduct, be the same.”
“Let no discouragement deter,
Nor sloth this daily task defer.
Sloth and discouragement destroy
The children's weal, the parents' joy.
For one, who labor lothes, we find
Ten thousand lothing toil of mind,
That close attention, careful tho't,
With every real blessing fraught.
Early the stubborn child transgresses;
Denies it; nor, 'till forc'd, confesses:
The fault, tho' punish'd, he renews;
New punishment the fault pursues:
His heart by nature prone to sin,
Agen he wounds you, and agen;
Amaz'd, dishearten'd, in despair,
To see so fruitless all your care,
And wearied, by such fix'd attention
To crimes, that suffer no prevention,
Reluctant, by degrees, you yield,
And leave him master of the field.”
Nor sloth this daily task defer.
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The children's weal, the parents' joy.
For one, who labor lothes, we find
Ten thousand lothing toil of mind,
That close attention, careful tho't,
With every real blessing fraught.
Early the stubborn child transgresses;
Denies it; nor, 'till forc'd, confesses:
The fault, tho' punish'd, he renews;
New punishment the fault pursues:
His heart by nature prone to sin,
Agen he wounds you, and agen;
Amaz'd, dishearten'd, in despair,
To see so fruitless all your care,
And wearied, by such fix'd attention
To crimes, that suffer no prevention,
Reluctant, by degrees, you yield,
And leave him master of the field.”
“Then with fond hope, that reason's sway
Will win him from his faults away,
For decent power, alone you strive,
Resign'd, if decently he'll live.”
Will win him from his faults away,
For decent power, alone you strive,
Resign'd, if decently he'll live.”
“Vain hope! by reason's power alone,
From guilt, no heart was ever won.
Decent, not good, may reason make him;
By reason, crimes will ne'er forsake him.
As weeds, self-sown, demand no toil,
But flourish in their native soil,
Root deep, grow high, with vigour bloom,
And send forth poison, for perfume;
So faults, inborn, spontaneous rise,
And daily wax in strength, and size,
Ripen, with neither toil, nor care,
And choke each germ of virtue there.
Virtues, like plants of nobler kind,
Transferred from regions more refin'd,
The gardener's careful hand must sow;
His culturing hand must bid them grow;
Rains gently shower; skies softly shine,
And blessings fall, from realms divine.”
From guilt, no heart was ever won.
Decent, not good, may reason make him;
By reason, crimes will ne'er forsake him.
As weeds, self-sown, demand no toil,
But flourish in their native soil,
Root deep, grow high, with vigour bloom,
And send forth poison, for perfume;
So faults, inborn, spontaneous rise,
And daily wax in strength, and size,
Ripen, with neither toil, nor care,
And choke each germ of virtue there.
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Transferred from regions more refin'd,
The gardener's careful hand must sow;
His culturing hand must bid them grow;
Rains gently shower; skies softly shine,
And blessings fall, from realms divine.”
“Much time, and pain, and toil, and care,
Must virtue's habits plant, and rear:
Habits alone thro' life endure,
Habits alone your child secure:
To these be all your labours given;
To these, your fervent prayers to Heaven.
Nor faint, a thousand trials o'er,
To see your pains effect no more;
Love, duty, interest, bid you strive;
Contend, and yield not, while you live;
And know, for all your labours pass'd,
Your eyes shall see a crop, at last.
The smith beside his anvil stands,
The lump of silver in his hands,
A thousand strokes with patience gives,
And still unform'd the work perceives;
A thousand, and a thousand more,
Unfinish'd leave it as before;
Yet, though, from each, no print is found,
Still toiling on his steady round,
He sees the ductile mass refine,
And in a beauteous vessel shine.”
Must virtue's habits plant, and rear:
Habits alone thro' life endure,
Habits alone your child secure:
To these be all your labours given;
To these, your fervent prayers to Heaven.
Nor faint, a thousand trials o'er,
To see your pains effect no more;
Love, duty, interest, bid you strive;
Contend, and yield not, while you live;
And know, for all your labours pass'd,
Your eyes shall see a crop, at last.
The smith beside his anvil stands,
The lump of silver in his hands,
A thousand strokes with patience gives,
And still unform'd the work perceives;
A thousand, and a thousand more,
Unfinish'd leave it as before;
Yet, though, from each, no print is found,
Still toiling on his steady round,
He sees the ductile mass refine,
And in a beauteous vessel shine.”
“Taverns, and shops, and lounging places,
Vile comrades, gaming tables, races,
Where youth to vice, and ruin, run,
Teach them, as pits of death, to shun.
At nine, when sounds the warning bell,
Use them to bid their sports farewell;
Health, order, temperance, every joy,
As blasts, untimely hours destroy;
At these dread hours, in places vile,
Where all things tempt, betray, defile,
Abroad, to every ill they roam,
But peace, and safety, find at home.”
Vile comrades, gaming tables, races,
Where youth to vice, and ruin, run,
Teach them, as pits of death, to shun.
At nine, when sounds the warning bell,
Use them to bid their sports farewell;
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As blasts, untimely hours destroy;
At these dread hours, in places vile,
Where all things tempt, betray, defile,
Abroad, to every ill they roam,
But peace, and safety, find at home.”
“From licens'd talk their tongues restrain,
And bridle, with discretion's rein;
Safety, and peace, reserve affords;
But evil hides in many words.
All wond'rous stories bid them shun,
And the pernicious love of fun;
In lies, great stories ever end,
And fun will every vice befriend.
What sports of real use you find,
To brace the form, or nerve the mind,
Freely indulge; such sports, as these,
Will profit youth, as well as please.
But from all arts and tricks dehort,
And check th' excessive love of sport.
All buzzing tales, of private life,
All scandals, form'd on houshold strife,
The idle chatterings of the street,
Early forbid them to repeat;
But teach them, kindness, praise, and truth,
Alone become the voice of youth.”
And bridle, with discretion's rein;
Safety, and peace, reserve affords;
But evil hides in many words.
All wond'rous stories bid them shun,
And the pernicious love of fun;
In lies, great stories ever end,
And fun will every vice befriend.
What sports of real use you find,
To brace the form, or nerve the mind,
Freely indulge; such sports, as these,
Will profit youth, as well as please.
But from all arts and tricks dehort,
And check th' excessive love of sport.
All buzzing tales, of private life,
All scandals, form'd on houshold strife,
The idle chatterings of the street,
Early forbid them to repeat;
But teach them, kindness, praise, and truth,
Alone become the voice of youth.”
“Their hearts with soft affections warm;
Their taste, to gentle manners form;
Let manly aims their bosoms fire,
And sweet civility inspire.
Bid them the stranger kindly greet,
The friend with faithful friendship meet,
And charm of life the little span,
By general courtesy to man.”
Their taste, to gentle manners form;
Let manly aims their bosoms fire,
And sweet civility inspire.
Bid them the stranger kindly greet,
The friend with faithful friendship meet,
And charm of life the little span,
By general courtesy to man.”
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“Teach them to reverence righteous sway,
With life defend, with love obey;
Nor join that wretched band of scoffers,
Who rail at every man in office.
With freedom's warmth their souls inspire,
And light their brave forefathers' fire.
Bid them their privileges know;
Bid them with love of country glow;
With skill, their arms defensive wield,
Nor shun the duties of the field.”
With life defend, with love obey;
Nor join that wretched band of scoffers,
Who rail at every man in office.
With freedom's warmth their souls inspire,
And light their brave forefathers' fire.
Bid them their privileges know;
Bid them with love of country glow;
With skill, their arms defensive wield,
Nor shun the duties of the field.”
“How bless'd this heaven-distinguish'd land!
Where schools in every hamlet stand;
Far spread the beams of learning bright,
And every child enjoys the light.
At school, beneath a faithful guide,
In teaching skill'd, of morals tried,
And pleas'd the early mind to charm
To every good, from every harm,
Learn they to read, to write, to spell,
And cast accompts, and learn them well:
For, on this microscopic plan,
Is form'd the wise, and useful man.
Let him a taste for books inspire;
While you, to nurse the young desire,
A social library procure,
And open knowledge to the poor.
This useful taste imbib'd, your eyes
Shall see a thousand blessings rise.
From haunts, and comrades vile secure,
Where gilded baits to vice allure,
No more your sons abroad shall roam,
But pleas'd, their evenings spend at home;
Allurements more engaging find,
And feast, with pure delight, the mind.
The realms of earth, their tho'ts shall scan,
And learn the works, and ways, of man;
See, from the savage, to the sage,
How nations ripen, age by age;
How states, and men, by virtue rise;
How both to ruin sink, by vice;
How thro' the world's great prison-bounds,
While one wide clank of chains resounds,
Men slaves, while Angels weep to see,
Some wise, and brave, and bless'd, are free.
Thro' moral scenes shall stretch their sight:
Discern the bounds of wrong, and right;
That lothe; this love; and, pleas'd, pursue
Whate'er from man to man is due;
And, from the page of Heaven derive
The motives, and the means, to live.”
Where schools in every hamlet stand;
Far spread the beams of learning bright,
And every child enjoys the light.
At school, beneath a faithful guide,
In teaching skill'd, of morals tried,
And pleas'd the early mind to charm
To every good, from every harm,
Learn they to read, to write, to spell,
And cast accompts, and learn them well:
For, on this microscopic plan,
Is form'd the wise, and useful man.
Let him a taste for books inspire;
While you, to nurse the young desire,
A social library procure,
There are many social libraries in Connecticut; and the number is fast increasing. This is visibly one of the best means of diffusing knowledge. If the proprietors of each would tax themselves a small sum yearly, they would soon be able to procure a sufficient number of books, to answer every valuable purpose of such an institution.
And open knowledge to the poor.
This useful taste imbib'd, your eyes
Shall see a thousand blessings rise.
From haunts, and comrades vile secure,
Where gilded baits to vice allure,
No more your sons abroad shall roam,
But pleas'd, their evenings spend at home;
Allurements more engaging find,
And feast, with pure delight, the mind.
The realms of earth, their tho'ts shall scan,
And learn the works, and ways, of man;
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How nations ripen, age by age;
How states, and men, by virtue rise;
How both to ruin sink, by vice;
How thro' the world's great prison-bounds,
While one wide clank of chains resounds,
Men slaves, while Angels weep to see,
Some wise, and brave, and bless'd, are free.
Thro' moral scenes shall stretch their sight:
Discern the bounds of wrong, and right;
That lothe; this love; and, pleas'd, pursue
Whate'er from man to man is due;
And, from the page of Heaven derive
The motives, and the means, to live.”
“Nor think the scope, or task, too great;
Coolly your leisure moments state;
These, nicely reckon'd, will appear
Enough for all, that's promis'd here.
Would you still higher proof behold?
Plain facts that higher proof unfold.
I know, and tell it with a smile,
No narrow list of men of toil,
Illum'd by no collegiate rays,
And forc'd to tread in busy ways,
Who yet, to read intensely loving,
And every leisure hour improving,
On wisdom's heights distinguish'd stand,
The boast, and blessing, of our land.
This mystery learn: in great, or small things,
'Tis application masters all things.”
Coolly your leisure moments state;
These, nicely reckon'd, will appear
Enough for all, that's promis'd here.
Would you still higher proof behold?
Plain facts that higher proof unfold.
I know, and tell it with a smile,
No narrow list of men of toil,
Illum'd by no collegiate rays,
And forc'd to tread in busy ways,
Who yet, to read intensely loving,
And every leisure hour improving,
On wisdom's heights distinguish'd stand,
The boast, and blessing, of our land.
This mystery learn: in great, or small things,
'Tis application masters all things.”
“Thus taught, in every state of life,
Of child, of parent, husband, wife,
They'll wiser, better, happier, prove;
Their freedom better know, and love;
More pleasures gain, more hearts engage,
And feast their own dull hours of age.”
Of child, of parent, husband, wife,
They'll wiser, better, happier, prove;
Their freedom better know, and love;
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And feast their own dull hours of age.”
“Use them, and early use, to have,
To earn, and what they earn, to save.
From industry, and prudence, flow
Relief of want, and balm of woe,
Delightful sleep, enduring wealth,
The purest peace, the firmest health,
True independence of our peers,
Support for sickness, and for years,
Security from houshold strife,
The conscience sweet of useful life,
Esteem abroad, content at home,
An easy passage to the tomb,
With blessings numberless, that flow
To neighbour, stranger, friend, and foe,
That man to man resistless bind,
And spread, and spread, to all mankind.”
To earn, and what they earn, to save.
From industry, and prudence, flow
Relief of want, and balm of woe,
Delightful sleep, enduring wealth,
The purest peace, the firmest health,
True independence of our peers,
Support for sickness, and for years,
Security from houshold strife,
The conscience sweet of useful life,
Esteem abroad, content at home,
An easy passage to the tomb,
With blessings numberless, that flow
To neighbour, stranger, friend, and foe,
That man to man resistless bind,
And spread, and spread, to all mankind.”
Would you for them this good acquire,
Prudence, and industry, inspire;
To habit bid the blessings grow;
Habits alone yield good below.
To these untrain'd, whate'er you give,
Whate'er inheritance you leave,
To every worthless passion given,
And scatter'd to the winds of heaven,
Will foes, and strangers, clothe, and feed;
While your own children pine with need,
Their friends, pain'd, pitied, slighted, fly,
Forgotten live, and wretched die.
Prudence, and industry, inspire;
To habit bid the blessings grow;
Habits alone yield good below.
To these untrain'd, whate'er you give,
Whate'er inheritance you leave,
To every worthless passion given,
And scatter'd to the winds of heaven,
Will foes, and strangers, clothe, and feed;
While your own children pine with need,
Their friends, pain'd, pitied, slighted, fly,
Forgotten live, and wretched die.
“In this New World, life's changing round,
In three descents, is often found.
The first, firm, busy, plodding, poor,
Earns, saves, and daily swells, his store;
By farthings first, and pence, it grows;
In shillings next, and pounds, it flows;
Then spread his widening farms, abroad;
His forests wave; his harvests nod;
Fattening, his numerous cattle play,
And debtors dread his reckoning day.
Ambitious then t'adorn with knowledge
His son, he places him at college;
And sends, in smart attire, and neat,
To travel, thro' each neighbouring state;
Builds him a handsome house, or buys,
Sees him a gentleman, and dies.”
In three descents, is often found.
The first, firm, busy, plodding, poor,
Earns, saves, and daily swells, his store;
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In shillings next, and pounds, it flows;
Then spread his widening farms, abroad;
His forests wave; his harvests nod;
Fattening, his numerous cattle play,
And debtors dread his reckoning day.
Ambitious then t'adorn with knowledge
His son, he places him at college;
And sends, in smart attire, and neat,
To travel, thro' each neighbouring state;
Builds him a handsome house, or buys,
Sees him a gentleman, and dies.”
“The second, born to wealth, and ease,
And taught to think, converse, and please,
Ambitious, with his lady-wife,
Aims at a higher walk of life.
Yet, in those wholesome habits train'd,
By which his wealth, and weight, were gain'd,
Bids care in hand with pleasure go,
And blends œconomy with show.
His houses, fences, garden, dress,
The neat and thrifty man confess.
Improv'd, but with improvement plain,
Intent on office, as on gain,
Exploring, useful sweets to spy,
To public life he turns his eye.
A townsman first; a justice soon;
A member of the house anon;
Perhaps to board, or bench, invited,
He sees the state, and subjects, righted;
And, raptur'd with politic life,
Consigns his children to his wife.
Of houshold cares amid the round,
For her, too hard the task is found.
At first she struggles, and contends;
Then doubts, desponds, laments, and bends;
Her sons pursue the sad defeat,
And shout their victory complete;
Rejoicing, see their father roam,
And riot, rake, and reign, at home.
Too late he sees, and sees to mourn,
His race of every hope forlorn,
Abroad, for comfort, turns his eyes,
Bewails his dire mistakes, and dies.”
And taught to think, converse, and please,
Ambitious, with his lady-wife,
Aims at a higher walk of life.
Yet, in those wholesome habits train'd,
By which his wealth, and weight, were gain'd,
Bids care in hand with pleasure go,
And blends œconomy with show.
His houses, fences, garden, dress,
The neat and thrifty man confess.
Improv'd, but with improvement plain,
Intent on office, as on gain,
Exploring, useful sweets to spy,
To public life he turns his eye.
A townsman first; a justice soon;
A member of the house anon;
Perhaps to board, or bench, invited,
He sees the state, and subjects, righted;
And, raptur'd with politic life,
Consigns his children to his wife.
Of houshold cares amid the round,
For her, too hard the task is found.
At first she struggles, and contends;
Then doubts, desponds, laments, and bends;
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And shout their victory complete;
Rejoicing, see their father roam,
And riot, rake, and reign, at home.
Too late he sees, and sees to mourn,
His race of every hope forlorn,
Abroad, for comfort, turns his eyes,
Bewails his dire mistakes, and dies.”
“His heir, train'd only to enjoy,
Untaught his mind, or hands, t' employ,
Conscious of wealth enough for life,
With business, care, and worth, at strife,
By prudence, conscience, unrestrain'd,
And none, but pleasure's habits, gain'd,
Whirls on the wild career of sense,
Nor danger marks, nor heeds expense.
Soon ended is the giddy round;
And soon the fatal goal is found.
His lands, secur'd for borrow'd gold,
His houses, horses, herds, are sold.
And now, no more for wealth respected,
He sinks, by all his friends neglected;
Friends, who, before, his vices flatter'd,
And liv'd upon the loaves he scatter'd.
Unacted every worthy part,
And pining with a broken heart,
To dirtiest company he flies,
Whores, gambles, turns a sot, and dies.
His children, born to fairer doom,
In rags, pursue him to the tomb.”
Untaught his mind, or hands, t' employ,
Conscious of wealth enough for life,
With business, care, and worth, at strife,
By prudence, conscience, unrestrain'd,
And none, but pleasure's habits, gain'd,
Whirls on the wild career of sense,
Nor danger marks, nor heeds expense.
Soon ended is the giddy round;
And soon the fatal goal is found.
His lands, secur'd for borrow'd gold,
His houses, horses, herds, are sold.
And now, no more for wealth respected,
He sinks, by all his friends neglected;
Friends, who, before, his vices flatter'd,
And liv'd upon the loaves he scatter'd.
Unacted every worthy part,
And pining with a broken heart,
To dirtiest company he flies,
Whores, gambles, turns a sot, and dies.
His children, born to fairer doom,
In rags, pursue him to the tomb.”
“Apprentic'd then to masters stern,
Some real good the orphans learn;
Are bred to toil, and hardy fare,
And grow to usefulness, and care;
And, following their great-grandsire's plan,
Each slow becomes a useful man.”
Some real good the orphans learn;
Are bred to toil, and hardy fare,
And grow to usefulness, and care;
And, following their great-grandsire's plan,
Each slow becomes a useful man.”
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“Such here is life's swift-circling round;
So soon are all its changes found.
Would you prevent th' allotment hard,
And fortune's rapid whirl retard,
In all your race, industrious care
Attentive plant, and faithful rear;
With life, th' important task begin,
Nor but with life, the task resign;
To habit, bid the blessings grow,
Habits alone yield good below.”
So soon are all its changes found.
Would you prevent th' allotment hard,
And fortune's rapid whirl retard,
In all your race, industrious care
Attentive plant, and faithful rear;
With life, th' important task begin,
Nor but with life, the task resign;
To habit, bid the blessings grow,
Habits alone yield good below.”
“But, to complete the bless'd design,
Both parents must their efforts join;
With kind regard, each other treat:
In every plan, harmonious meet;
The conduct each of each approve;
Nor strive, but in the strife of love.
What one commands, let both require;
In counsels, smiles, and frowns, conspire;
Alike oppose; alike befriend;
And each the other's choice commend.
In sweetest union thus conjoin'd,
And one the life, as one the mind,
Your children cheerful will obey,
And reverence undivided pay;
The daily task be lightly done,
And half the houshold troubles gone:
While jars domestic weal destroy,
And wither every hope of joy.”
Both parents must their efforts join;
With kind regard, each other treat:
In every plan, harmonious meet;
The conduct each of each approve;
Nor strive, but in the strife of love.
What one commands, let both require;
In counsels, smiles, and frowns, conspire;
Alike oppose; alike befriend;
And each the other's choice commend.
In sweetest union thus conjoin'd,
And one the life, as one the mind,
Your children cheerful will obey,
And reverence undivided pay;
The daily task be lightly done,
And half the houshold troubles gone:
While jars domestic weal destroy,
And wither every hope of joy.”
“Meantime, let peace around you rest,
Nor feuds good neighbourhood molest.
Your neighbour's crops with justice eye,
Nor let his hopes by trespass die.
Your fence repair, your herds repel;
Much virtue's found in fencing well.
With care his reputation guard;
Sweet friendship will that care reward.
No idle tatler e'er receive;
No storied scandal e'er believe:
What's good, and kind, alone report;
Tell nothing, which can others hurt:
Oblige, lend, borrow—freely all—
Rejoice not in another's fall:
When others need, assistance lend;
Are others sick? their calls attend;
Their visits hospitably greet,
And pay, with cheerful kindness sweet.
These things, or I mistake, will form,
And keep the heart of friendship warm.”
Nor feuds good neighbourhood molest.
Your neighbour's crops with justice eye,
Nor let his hopes by trespass die.
Your fence repair, your herds repel;
Much virtue's found in fencing well.
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Sweet friendship will that care reward.
No idle tatler e'er receive;
No storied scandal e'er believe:
What's good, and kind, alone report;
Tell nothing, which can others hurt:
Oblige, lend, borrow—freely all—
Rejoice not in another's fall:
When others need, assistance lend;
Are others sick? their calls attend;
Their visits hospitably greet,
And pay, with cheerful kindness sweet.
These things, or I mistake, will form,
And keep the heart of friendship warm.”
“But should contentions rise, and grudges,
Which call for arbitrating judges,
Still shun the law, that gulph of woe,
Whose waves without a bottom flow:
That gulph, by storms forever toss'd,
Where all, that's once afloat, is lost;
Where friends, embark'd, are friends no more,
And neither finds a peaceful shore:
While thousand wrecks, as warnings, lie,
The victims of an angry sky.
Which call for arbitrating judges,
Still shun the law, that gulph of woe,
Whose waves without a bottom flow:
That gulph, by storms forever toss'd,
Where all, that's once afloat, is lost;
Where friends, embark'd, are friends no more,
And neither finds a peaceful shore:
While thousand wrecks, as warnings, lie,
The victims of an angry sky.
“Each cause let mutual friends decide,
With Common-sense alone to guide:
If right, in silent peace be glad;
If wrong, be neither sour, nor sad:
As oft you'll find full justice done,
As when thro' twenty terms you've run;
And when, in travel, sees, and cost,
Far more than can be won, is lost.”
With Common-sense alone to guide:
If right, in silent peace be glad;
If wrong, be neither sour, nor sad:
As oft you'll find full justice done,
As when thro' twenty terms you've run;
And when, in travel, sees, and cost,
Far more than can be won, is lost.”
“Learn, this conclusion whence I draw.
Mark what estates are spent in law!
See men litigious business fly,
And loungers live, and beggars die!
What anger, hatred, malice fell,
And fierce revenge their bosoms swell!
What frauds, subornings, tamperings rise!
What slanders foul! what shameful lies!
What perjuries, blackening many a tongue!
And what immensity of wrong!
Where peace, and kindness, dwelt before,
See peace, and kindness, dwell no more!
Ills to good offices succeed,
And neighbours bid each other bleed!”
Mark what estates are spent in law!
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And loungers live, and beggars die!
What anger, hatred, malice fell,
And fierce revenge their bosoms swell!
What frauds, subornings, tamperings rise!
What slanders foul! what shameful lies!
What perjuries, blackening many a tongue!
And what immensity of wrong!
Where peace, and kindness, dwelt before,
See peace, and kindness, dwell no more!
Ills to good offices succeed,
And neighbours bid each other bleed!”
“Esop, the merry Phrygian sage,
Worth half the Wise-men of his age,
Has left to litigants a story,
Which, with your leave, I'll set before you.”
Worth half the Wise-men of his age,
Has left to litigants a story,
Which, with your leave, I'll set before you.”
““The bear, and lion, on the lawn,
Once found the carcase of a fawn.
Both claim'd the dainty; neither gave it;
But each swore roundly he would have it.
They growl'd; they fought; but sought in vain;
For neither could the prize obtain;
And, while, to breathe, they both retreated,
The lawyer fox, came in, and eat it.””
Once found the carcase of a fawn.
Both claim'd the dainty; neither gave it;
But each swore roundly he would have it.
They growl'd; they fought; but sought in vain;
For neither could the prize obtain;
And, while, to breathe, they both retreated,
The lawyer fox, came in, and eat it.””
“And would you useful live, and bless'd,
Parochial heats, and jars, detest.
Like you, their interests others feel;
Have pride, and passions, warmth, and will.
Those interests clash; those wills contend;
And some, where all have votes, must bend.
A yielding spirit hence maintain;
Let all concede, that all may gain:
Hence, when fierce heat the mass inspires,
And Party blows her angry fires,
For weeks, or months, or years, postpone
What, prudence tells you, must be done:
Time will command the flames to cease,
And party soften into peace.”
Parochial heats, and jars, detest.
Like you, their interests others feel;
Have pride, and passions, warmth, and will.
Those interests clash; those wills contend;
And some, where all have votes, must bend.
A yielding spirit hence maintain;
Let all concede, that all may gain:
Hence, when fierce heat the mass inspires,
And Party blows her angry fires,
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What, prudence tells you, must be done:
Time will command the flames to cease,
And party soften into peace.”
Thus spoke the sage. The crowd around,
Applauding, heard the grateful sound:
Each, deeply musing, homeward went,
T' amend his future life intent;
And, pondering past delays, with sorrow,
Resolv'd, he would begin, to-morrow.
Applauding, heard the grateful sound:
Each, deeply musing, homeward went,
T' amend his future life intent;
And, pondering past delays, with sorrow,
Resolv'd, he would begin, to-morrow.
END OF THE SIXTH PART.
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