Poor Richard Improved, 1758
Poor Richard improved: Being an Almanack and Ephemeris...for
the Year of our Lord 1758: ... By Richard
Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin,
and D. Hall. (Yale University Library)
Courteous Reader,
I have heard that nothing gives an Author so
great Pleasure, as to find his Works respectfully quoted by other
learned Authors. This Pleasure I have seldom enjoyed; for tho’ I
have been, if I may say it without Vanity, an eminent Author
of Almanacks annually now a full Quarter of a Century, my Brother
Authors in the same Way, for what Reason I know not, have ever been
very sparing in their Applauses; and no other Author has taken the
least Notice of me, so that did not my Writings produce me some
solid Pudding, the great Deficiency of Praise would
have quite discouraged me.
I concluded at length, that the People were the
best Judges of my Merit; for they buy my Works; and besides, in my
Rambles, where I am not personally known, I have frequently heard
one or other of my Adages repeated, with, as Poor Richard
says, at the End on’t; this gave me some Satisfaction, as it
showed not only that my Instructions were regarded, but discovered
likewise some Respect for my Authority; and I own, that to
encourage the Practice of remembering and repeating those wise
Sentences, I have sometimes quoted myself with great
Gravity.
Judge then how much I must have been gratified
by an Incident I am going to relate to you. I stopt my Horse lately
where a great Number of People were collected at a Vendue of
Merchant Goods. The Hour of Sale not being come, they were
conversing on the Badness of the Times, and one of the Company
call’d to a plain clean old Man, with white Locks, Pray, Father
Abraham, what think you of the Times? Won’t these heavy
Taxes quite ruin the Country? How shall we be ever able to
pay them? What would you advise us to? ——Father Abraham stood
up, and reply’d, If you’d have my Advice, I’ll give it you in
short, for a Word to the Wise is enough, and many Words
won’t fill a Bushel, as Poor Richard says. They join’d
in desiring him to speak his Mind, and gathering round him, he
proceeded as follows;
“Friends, says he, and Neighbours, the Taxes
are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the Government were
the only Ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them;
but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We
are taxed twice as much by our Idleness, three times as much
by our Pride, and four times as much by our Folly,
and from these Taxes the Commissioners cannot ease or deliver us by
allowing an Abatement. However let us hearken to good Advice, and
something may be done for us; God helps them that help
themselves, as Poor Richard says, in his Almanack of 1733.
It would be thought a hard Government that
should tax its People one tenth Part of their Time, to be
employed in its Service. But Idleness taxes many of us much
more, if we reckon all that is spent in absolute Sloth, or
doing of nothing, with that which is spent in idle Employments or
Amusements, that amount to nothing. Sloth, by bringing on
Diseases, absolutely shortens Life. Sloth, like Rust,
consumes faster than Labour wears, while the used Key is
always bright, as Poor Richard says. But dost thou love
Life, then do not squander Time, for that’s the Stuff Life
is made of, as Poor Richard says. How much more than is
necessary do we spend in Sleep! forgetting that The sleeping Fox
catches no Poultry, and that there will be sleeping enough
in the Grave, as Poor Richard says. If Time be of all Things
the most precious, wasting Time must be, as Poor Richard
says, the greatest Prodigality, since, as he elsewhere tells
us, Lost Time is never found again; and what we call
Time-enough, always proves little enough: Let us then
be up and be doing, and doing to the Purpose; so by Diligence shall
we do more with less Perplexity. Sloth makes all Things
difficult, but Industry all easy, as Poor Richard says;
and He that riseth late, must trot all Day, and shall
scarce overtake his Business at Night. While Laziness
travels so slowly, that Poverty soon overtakes him, as we
read in Poor Richard, who adds, Drive thy Business, let not that
drive thee; and Early to Bed, and early to rise,
makes a Man healthy, wealthy and wise.
So what signifies wishing and
hoping for better Times. We may make these Times better if
we bestir ourselves. Industry need not wish, as Poor
Richard says, and He that lives upon Hope will die
fasting. There are no Gains, without Pains; then
Help Hands, for I have no Lands, or if I have, they
are smartly taxed. And, as Poor Richard likewise observes, He
that hath a Trade hath an Estate, and He that hath a Calling
hath an Office of Profit and Honour; but then the Trade
must be worked at, and the Calling well followed, or neither
the Estate, nor the Office, will enable us to pay our
Taxes. If we are industrious we shall never starve; for, as Poor
Richard says, At the working Man’s House Hunger looks in,
but dares not enter. Nor will the Bailiff nor the
Constable enter, for Industry pays Debts, while Despair
encreaseth them, says Poor Richard. What though you have found
no Treasure, nor has any rich Relation left you a Legacy,
Diligence is the Mother of Good luck, as Poor Richard
says, and God gives all Things to Industry. Then plough
deep, while Sluggards sleep, and you shall have Corn to sell
and to keep, says Poor Dick. Work while it is called To-day,
for you know not how much you may be hindered To-morrow, which
makes Poor Richard say, One To-day is worth two To-morrows;
and farther, Have you somewhat to do To-morrow, do it
To-day. If you were a Servant, would you not be ashamed that
a good Master should catch you idle? Are you then your own Master,
be ashamed to catch yourself idle, as Poor Dick says. When
there is so much to be done for yourself, your Family, your
Country, and your gracious King, be up by Peep of Day; Let
not the Sun look down and say, Inglorious here he lies.
Handle your Tools without Mittens; remember that the Cat in
Gloves catches no Mice, as Poor Richard says. ’Tis true
there is much to be done, and perhaps you are weak handed, but
stick to it steadily, and you will see great Effects, for
constant Dropping wears away Stones, and by Diligence and
Patience the Mouse ate in two the Cable; and little Strokes
fell great Oaks, as Poor Richard says in his Almanack, the Year
I cannot just now remember.
Methinks I hear some of you say, Must a Man
afford himself no Leisure? I will tell thee, my Friend,
what Poor Richard says, Employ thy Time well if thou meanest to
gain Leisure; and, since thou art not sure of a
Minute, throw not away an Hour. Leisure, is Time for
doing something useful; this Leisure the diligent Man will obtain,
but the lazy Man never; so that, as Poor Richard says, a Life of
Leisure and a Life of Laziness are two Things. Do you imagine
that Sloth will afford you more Comfort than Labour? No, for as
Poor Richard says, Trouble springs from Idleness, and
grievous Toil from needless Ease. Many without Labour,
would live by their Wits
only, but they break for want of Stock. Whereas Industry
gives Comfort, and Plenty, and Respect: Fly Pleasures, and
they’ll follow you. The diligent Spinner has a large
Shift; and now I have a Sheep and a Cow, every Body
bids me Good morrow; all which is well said by Poor
Richard.
But with our Industry, we must likewise be
steady, settled and careful, and oversee our own
Affairs with our own Eyes, and not trust too much to others;
for, as Poor Richard says,
I never saw an oft removed Tree,
Nor yet an oft removed Family,
That throve so well as those that settled be.
And again, Three Removes is as bad as a
Fire; and again, Keep thy Shop, and thy Shop will
keep thee; and again, If you would have your Business
done, go; If not, send. And again,
He that by the Plough would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive.
And again, The Eye of a Master will do more
Work than both his Hands; and again, Want of Care
does us more Damage than Want of Knowledge; and again,
Not to oversee Workmen, is to leave them your Purse
open. Trusting too much to others Care is the Ruin of many;
for, as the Almanack says, In the Affairs of this World, Men are
saved, not by Faith, but by the Want of it; but a Man’s
own Care is profitable; for, saith Poor Dick, Learning is to the
Studious, and Riches to the Careful, as well as
Power to the Bold, and Heaven to the Virtuous.
And farther, If you would have a faithful Servant, and
one that you like, serve yourself. And again, he adviseth to
Circumspection and Care, even in the smallest Matters, because
sometimes a little Neglect may breed great Mischief; adding,
For want of a Nail the Shoe was lost; for want of a Shoe
the Horse was lost; and for want of a Horse the Rider was
lost, being overtaken and slain by the Enemy, all for want of
Care about a Horse-shoe Nail.
So much for Industry, my Friends, and Attention
to one’s own Business; but to these we must add Frugality,
if we would make our Industry more certainly successful. A
Man may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, keep his Nose
all his Life to the Grindstone, and die not worth a
Groat at last. A fat Kitchen makes a lean Will, as
Poor Richard says; and,
Many Estates are spent in the Getting,
Since Women for Tea forsook Spinning and
Knitting,
And Men for Punch forsook Hewing and Splitting.
If you would be wealthy, says he, in another Almanack,
think of Saving as well as of Getting: The Indies have
not made Spain rich, because her Outgoes are greater
than her Incomes. Away then with your expensive Follies, and
you will not have so much Cause to complain of hard Times, heavy
Taxes, and chargeable Families; for, as Poor Dick says,
Women and Wine, Game and Deceit,
Make the Wealth small, and the Wants great.
And farther, What maintains one Vice, would bring up two
Children. You may think perhaps, That a little Tea, or a
little Punch now and then, Diet a little more costly,
Clothes a little finer, and a little Entertainment
now and then, can be no great Matter; but remember what Poor
Richard says, Many a Little makes a Mickle;
and farther, Beware of little Expences; a small Leak
will sink a great Ship; and again, Who Dainties love,
shall Beggars prove; and moreover, Fools make Feasts,
and wise Men eat them.
Here you are all got together at this Vendue of
Fineries and Knicknacks. You call them Goods,
but if you do not take Care they will prove Evils to some of
you. You expect they will be sold cheap, and perhaps they
may for less than they cost; but if you have no Occasion for them,
they must be dear to you. Remember what Poor Richard says,
Buy what thou hast no Need of, and ere long thou shalt
sell thy Necessaries. And again, At a great Pennyworth
pause a while: He means, that perhaps the Cheapness is
apparent only, and not real; or the Bargain, by
straitning thee in thy Business, may do thee more Harm than Good.
For in another Place he says, Many have been ruined by buying
good Pennyworths. Again, Poor Richard says, ’Tis foolish to
lay out Money in a Purchase of Repentance; and yet this Folly
is practised every Day at Vendues, for want of minding the
Almanack. Wise Men, as Poor Dick says, learn by others
Harms, Fools scarcely by their own; but, Felix quem
faciunt aliena Pericula cautum. Many a one, for the Sake of
Finery on the Back, have gone with a hungry Belly, and half starved
their Families; Silks and Sattins, Scarlet and Velvets, as
Poor Richard says, put out the Kitchen Fire. These are not
the Necessaries of Life; they can scarcely be called the
Conveniencies, and yet only because they look pretty, how
many want to have them. The artificial Wants
of Mankind thus become more numerous than the natural; and,
as Poor Dick says, For one poor Person, there are an
hundred indigent. By these, and other Extravagancies, the
Genteel are reduced to Poverty, and forced to borrow of those whom
they formerly despised, but who through Industry and
Frugality have maintained their Standing; in which Case it
appears plainly, that a Ploughman on his Legs is higher than a
Gentleman on his Knees, as Poor Richard says. Perhaps they have
had a small Estate left them, which they knew not the Getting of;
they think ’tis Day, and will never be Night; that a
little to be spent out of so much, is not worth minding;
(a Child and a Fool, as Poor Richard says, imagine Twenty
Shillings and Twenty Years can never be spent) but, always
taking out of the Meal-tub, and never putting in, soon comes to
the Bottom; then, as Poor Dick says, When the Well’s dry,
they know the Worth of Water. But this they might have
known before, if they had taken his Advice; If you would know
the Value of Money, go and try to borrow some; for,
he that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing; and indeed so
does he that lends to such People, when he goes to get it in
again. Poor Dick farther advises, and says,
Fond Pride of Dress, is sure a very Curse;
E’er Fancy you consult, consult your Purse.
And again, Pride is as loud a Beggar as Want, and a great
deal more saucy. When you have bought one fine Thing you
must buy ten more, that your Appearance may be all of a Piece; but
Poor Dick says, ’Tis easier to suppress the first Desire,
than to satisfy all that follow it. And ’tis as
truly Folly for the Poor to ape the Rich, as for the Frog to swell,
in order to equal the Ox.
Great Estates may venture more,
But little Boats should keep near Shore.
’Tis however a Folly soon punished; for Pride that dines on
Vanity sups on Contempt, as Poor Richard says. And in
another Place, Pride breakfasted with Plenty, dined with
Poverty, and supped with Infamy. And after all, of what
Use is this Pride of Appearance, for which so much is
risked, so much is suffered? It cannot promote Health, or ease
Pain; it makes no Increase of Merit in the Person, it creates Envy,
it hastens Misfortune.
What is a Butterfly? At best
He’s but a Caterpillar drest.
The gaudy Fop’s his Picture just,
as Poor Richard says.
But what Madness must it be to run in
Debt for these Superfluities! We are offered, by the Terms of
this Vendue, Six Months Credit; and that perhaps has induced
some of us to attend it, because we cannot spare the ready Money,
and hope now to be fine without it. But, ah, think what you do when
you run in Debt; You give to another Power over your
Liberty. If you cannot pay at the Time, you will be ashamed to
see your Creditor; you will be in Fear when you speak to him; you
will make poor pitiful sneaking Excuses, and by Degrees come to
lose your Veracity, and sink into base downright lying; for, as
Poor Richard says, The second Vice is Lying, the first is
running in Debt. And again, to the same Purpose, Lying rides
upon Debt’s Back. Whereas a freeborn Englishman ought not to be
ashamed or afraid to see or speak to any Man living. But Poverty
often deprives a Man of all Spirit and Virtue: ’Tis hard for an
empty Bag to stand upright, as Poor Richard truly says. What
would you think of that Prince, or that Government, who should
issue an Edict forbidding you to dress like a Gentleman or a
Gentlewoman, on Pain of Imprisonment or Servitude? Would you not
say, that you are free, have a Right to dress as you please, and
that such an Edict would be a Breach of your Privileges, and such a
Government tyrannical? And yet you are about to put yourself under
that Tyranny when you run in Debt for such Dress! Your Creditor has
Authority at his Pleasure to deprive you of your Liberty, by
confining you in Goal for Life, or to sell you for a Servant, if
you should not be able to pay him! When you have got your Bargain,
you may, perhaps, think little of Payment; but Creditors,
Poor Richard tells us, have better Memories than
Debtors; and in another Place says, Creditors are a
superstitious Sect, great Observers of set Days and
Times. The Day comes round before you are aware, and the Demand
is made before you are prepared to satisfy it. Or if you bear your
Debt in Mind, the Term which at first seemed so long, will, as it
lessens, appear extreamly short. Time will seem to have
added Wings to his Heels as well as Shoulders. Those have a
short Lent, saith Poor Richard, who owe Money to be paid at
Easter. Then since, as he says, The Borrower is a
Slave to the Lender, and the Debtor to the Creditor, disdain
the Chain, preserve your Freedom; and maintain your Independency:
Be industrious and free; be frugal and
free. At present, perhaps, you may think yourself in
thriving Circumstances, and that you can bear a little Extravagance
without Injury; but,
For Age and Want, save while you may;
No Morning Sun lasts a whole Day,
as Poor Richard says. Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but
ever while you live, Expence is constant and certain; and ’tis
easier to build two Chimnies than to keep one in Fuel,
as Poor Richard says. So rather go to Bed supperless than rise
in Debt.
Get what you can, and what you get hold;
’Tis the Stone that will turn all your Lead into
Gold,
as Poor Richard says. And when you have got the Philosopher’s
Stone, sure you will no longer complain of bad Times, or the
Difficulty of paying Taxes.
This Doctrine, my Friends, is Reason and
Wisdom; but after all, do not depend too much upon your own
Industry, and Frugality, and Prudence, though
excellent Things, for they may all be blasted without the Blessing
of Heaven; and therefore ask that Blessing humbly, and be not
uncharitable to those that at present seem to want it, but comfort
and help them. Remember Job suffered, and was afterwards
prosperous.
And now to conclude, Experience keeps a dear
School, but Fools will learn in no other, and scarce in
that; for it is true, we may give Advice, but we
cannot give Conduct, as Poor Richard says: However, remember
this, They that won’t be counselled, can’t be helped, as
Poor Richard says: And farther, That if you will not hear
Reason, she’ll surely rap your Knuckles.
Thus the old Gentleman ended his Harangue. The
People heard it, and approved the Doctrine, and immediately
practised the contrary, just as if it had been a common Sermon; for
the Vendue opened, and they began to buy extravagantly,
notwithstanding all his Cautions, and their own Fear of Taxes. I
found the good Man had thoroughly studied my Almanacks, and
digested all I had dropt on those Topicks during the Course of
Five-and-twenty Years. The frequent Mention he made of me must have
tired any one else, but my Vanity was wonderfully delighted with
it, though I was conscious that not a tenth Part of the Wisdom was
my own which he ascribed to me, but rather the Gleanings I
had made of the Sense of all Ages and Nations. However, I resolved
to be the better for the Echo of it; and though I had at first
determined to buy Stuff for a new Coat, I went away resolved to
wear my old One a little longer. Reader, if thou wilt do the
same, thy Profit will be as great as mine. I am, as ever, Thine to
serve thee,
July 7, 1757.
A good Receipt for the Fever and Ague.
Take two Ounces of Jesuits Bark, one Ounce of
Snakeroot, one Ounce of Salt of Tartar, and Half an Ounce of
Camomile Flowers; put them into a Half Gallon Bottle, filled with
Jamaica Spirit, and set it into a Kettle of Water, over a moderate
Fire, and let the Ingredients infuse three Days, the Water being
kept rather warmer than Blood warm. Dose for a grown Person Half a
Jill, three or four times between the Fits; for a Child of a Year
old a Tea Spoonful, mixed with Balm Tea; the Quantity to be
increased according to the Age of the Person. The Ingredients, by
adding more Spirit to them, make a good preventing Bitter.
January. I Month.
On Ambition.
I know, young Friend, Ambition fills your Mind,
And in Life’s Voyage is th’impelling Wind;
But at the Helm let sober Reason stand,
And steer the Bark with Heav’n-directed Hand:
So shall you safe Ambition’s Gales receive,
And ride securely, tho’ the Billows heave;
So shall you shun the giddy Hero’s Fate,
And by her Influence be both good and great.
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One Nestor is worth two Ajaxes. |
When you’re an Anvil, hold you still;
When you’re a Hammer, strike your Fill.
She bids you first, in Life’s soft vernal Hours,
With active Industry wake Nature’s Powers;
With rising Years, still rising Arts display,
With new-born Graces mark each new-born Day.
’Tis now the Time young Passion to command,
While yet the pliant Stem obeys the Hand;
Guide now the Courser with a steady Rein,
E’er yet he bounds o’er Pleasure’s flow’ry Plain;
In Passion’s Strife, no Medium you can have;
You rule a Master, or submit a Slave.
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When Knaves betray each other, one can scarce be blamed,
or |
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He that carries a small Crime easily, will carry it on when
it |
“For whom these Toils, you may perhaps enquire”;
First for yourself. Next Nature will inspire,
The filial Thought, fond Wish, and Kindred Tear,
Which make the Parent and the Sister dear:
To these, in closest Bands of Love, ally’d,
Their Joy or Grief you live, their Shame or Pride;
Hence timely learn to make their Bliss your own,
And scorn to think or act for Self alone;
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Happy Tom Crump, ne’er sees his own Hump. |
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Fools need Advice most, but wise Men only are the
better |
Hence bravely strive upon your own to raise
Their Honour, Grandeur, Dignity and Praise.
But wider far, beyond the narrow Bound
Of Family, Ambition searches round;
Searches to find the Friend’s delightful Face,
The Friend at least demands the second Place.
And yet beware; for most desire a Friend
From meaner Motives, not for Virtue’s End.
There are, who with fond Favour’s fickle Gale
Now sudden swell, and now contract their Sail;
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Silence in not always a Sign of Wisdom, but Babbling is
ever a |
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Great Modesty often hides great Merit. |
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You may delay, but Time will not. |
This Week devour, the next with sickening Eye
Avoid, and cast the sully’d Play-thing by;
There are, who tossing in the Bed of Vice,
For Flattery’s Opiate give the highest Price;
Yet from the saving Hand of Friendship turn,
Her Med’cines dread, her generous Offers spurn.
Deserted Greatness! who but pities thee?
By Crowds encompass’d, thou no Friend canst see:
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Virtue may not always make a Face handsome, but
Vice will cer- |
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Prodigality of Time produces Poverty of Mind as well
as of |
Or should kind Truth invade thy tender Ear,
We pity still; for thou no Truth can’st hear.
Ne’er grudg’d thy Wealth to swell an useless State,
Yet, frugal, deems th’Expence of Friends too great;
For Friends ne’er mixing in ambitious Strife,
For Friends, the richest Furniture of Life!
Be yours, my Son, a nobler, higher Aim,
Your Pride to burn with Friendship’s sacred Flame;
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Content is the Philosopher’s Stone, that turns all it
touches into |
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He that’s content, hath enough; He that complains, has too
much. |
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Pride gets into the Coach, and Shame mounts
behind. |
By Virtue kindled, by like Manners fed,
By mutual Wishes, mutual Favours spread,
Increas’d with Years, by candid Truth refin’d,
Pour all its boundless Ardours thro’ your Mind.
Be yours the Care a chosen Band to gain;
With them to Glory’s radiant Summit strain,
Aiding and aided each, while all contend,
Who best, who bravest, shall assist his Friend.
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The first Mistake in publick Business, is the going into
it. |
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Half the Truth is often a great Lie. |
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The Way to see by Faith, is to shut the Eye of
Reason: The Morn- |
Thus still should private Friendships spread around,
Till in their joint Embrace the Publick’s found,
The common Friend! Then all her Good explore;
Explor’d, pursue with each unbiass’d Power.
But chief the greatest should her Laws revere,
Ennobling Honours, which she bids them wear.
Ambition fills with Charity the Mind,
And pants to be the Friend of all Mankind.
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A full Belly makes a dull Brain: The Muses starve in a
Cook’s |
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Spare and have is better than spend and
crave. |
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Good-Will, like the Wind, floweth where it
listeth. |
Her Country all beneath one ambient Sky:
Whoe’er beholds yon radiant Orbs on high,
To whom one Sun impartial gives the Day,
To whom the Silver Moon her milder Ray,
Whom the same Water, Earth, and Air sustain,
O’er whom one Parent-King extends his Reign
Are her Compatriots all, by her belov’d,
In Nature near, tho’ far by Space remov’d;
On common Earth, no Foreigner she knows;
No Foe can find, or none but Virtue’s Foes;
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The Honey is sweet, but the Bee has a Sting. |
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In a corrupt Age, the putting the World in order would
breed |
Ready she stands her chearful Aid to lend;
To Want and Woe an undemanded Friend.
Nor thus advances others Bliss alone;
But in the Way to theirs, still finds her own.
Their’s is her own. What, should your Taper light
Ten Thousands, burns it to yourself less bright?
“Men are ungrateful.” Be they so that dare!
Is that the Giver’s, or Receiver’s Care?
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To serve the Publick faithfully, and at the same time
please it |
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Proud Modern Learning despises the antient:
Schoolmen are now |
Oh! blind to Joys, that from true Bounty flow,
To think those e’er repent whose Hearts bestow!
Man to his Maker thus best Homage pays,
Thus peaceful walks thro’ Virtue’s pleasing Ways:
Her gentle Image on the Soul imprest,
Bids each tempestuous Passion leave the Breast:
Thence with her livid Self-devouring Snakes
Pale Envy flies; her Quiver Slander breaks:
Thus falls (dire Scourge of a distracted Age!)
The Knave-led, one-ey’d Monster, Party Rage.
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Men often mistake themselves, seldom forget
themselves. |
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The idle Man is the Devil’s Hireling; whose Livery is Rags,
whose |
Ambition jostles with her Friends no more;
Nor thirsts Revenge to drink a Brother’s Gore;
Fiery Remorse no stinging Scorpions rears:
O’er trembling Guilt no falling Sword appears.
Hence Conscience, void of Blame, her Front erects,
Her God she fears, all other Fear rejects.
Hence just Ambition boundless Splendors crown,
And hence she calls Eternity her own.
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Rob not God, nor the Poor, lest thou ruin thyself; the
Eagle |
With bounteous Cheer,
Conclude the Year. Vale
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