Then went to Sea, and made his Grog so strong, The rich Man built an House, both large and high, He enter'd in and set him down to sigh ; He planted ample Woods and Gardens fair, The rich Man bought and try'd to take his rest; } And scatter'd Sand and Nettles in his Bed: Now he can drink his Wine and taste his Food, And feel the Blessings, Heav'n has dealt, are good; And since the Suffering seek the rich Man's Door, He sleeps as soundly as when young and poor. Here much he gives is urgent more to gain : He begs-rich Beggars seldom sure in vain Preachers most fam'd, he moves, the Crowd to move, And never wearies in the work of Love: He rules all Business, settles all Affairs, Then, 'mid our Signatures, a Name appears, Slowly he speaks, and with such solemn air, "Know," he exclaims, " my fellow-Mortals, know, "Virtue alone is Happiness below: "And what is Virtue ?-Prudence first to choose "Life's real good,-the evil to refuse : "Add Justice then, the eager hand to hold, "To curb the lust of Power and thirst of Gold; "Join Temp'rance next, that cheerful Health insures, "And Fortitude unmov'd, that conquers or endures." He speaks, and lo !-the very Man you see, . He no Man's Debtor, no Man's Patron lives; "Is aught then wanted in a Man so wise ?”– Alas!-I think he wants Infirmities; He wants the Tyes that knit us to our kindThe cheerful, tender, soft, complacent Mind, That would the Feelings, which he dreads, excitę, And make the Virtues he approves delight ; What dying Martyrs, Saints and Patriots feel, The strength of Action and the warmth of Zeal. Again attend!-and see a Man whose cares The Joys above this prudent Man invite To pay his tax-Devotion !-day and night; The Pains of Hell his timid Bosom awe, And force Obedience to the Church's Law: Hence that continual Thought,—that solemn Air— All these (when Conscience, waken'd and afraid, "Sink not, my Soul!-my Spirit, rise and look "O'er the fair Enties of this precious Book: "Here are the Sins, our Debts;-this fairer side "Has what to Carnal Wish our Strength denied ; "Has those religious Duties, every day "Paid,-which so few upon the Sabbath pay; "Here too are Conquests over frail Desires, "Attendance due on all the Church requires; "Then Alms I give-for I believe the Word" "Of Holy Writ, and lend unto the Lord, "And if not all th' importunate Demand, "The fear of Want restrains my ready Hand; "Behold! what Sums I to the Poor resign, "Sums plac'd in Heaven's own Book, as well as mine: "Rest then, my Spirit!-Fastings, Prayers, and Alms, "Will soon suppress these idly-rais'd Alarms, "And, weigh'd against our Frailties, set in view "A noble Balance in our favour due: "Add, that I yearly here affix my Name, "Pledge for large Payment—not from love of Fame, "But to make Peace within;-that Peace to make, "What Sums I lavish! and what Gains forsake! "Cheer up, my Heart!-let's cast off every doubt, "Pray without dread, and place our Money out.” Such the Religion of a Mind that steers Its way to Bliss, between its Hopes and Fears; Whose Passions in due bounds each other keep, And thus subdued, they murmur till they sleep; Whose virtues all their certain limits know, Like well-dry'd Herbs that neither fade nor grow; Who for Success and Safety ever tries, And with both Worlds alternately complies. Such are the Guardians of this blest Estate, Whate'er without, they're prais'd within the Gate: That they are Men, and have their Faults, is true, But here there Worth alone appears in view : The Muse indeed, who reads the very Breast, Has something of the Secrets there exprest, But yet in Charity;-and when she sees Such means for Joy or Comfort, Health or Ease, |