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r is a good trade, and an old cloak makes a wither'd serving-man, a fresh tapster. Merry Wives of Windsor, act i. sc. 3. r, that I have known go about with my Winter's Tale, act iv. sc. 2. sometimes leaving the fear of Heaven on and holding mine honour in my necessity, huffle, to hedge, and to lurch. Merry Wives of Windsor, act ii. sc. 2. Yea, and at that very moment, ration like an angel came,

pp'd th' offending Adam out of him. Henry V. act i. sc. 1.

ved long enough: My May of life
into the sere, the yellow leaf;
t which should accompany old age,
ur, love, obedience, troops of friends,
not look to have.

Macbeth, act v. sc. 3.

hero have a hero's name
use no father's he could claim ;
s mother with precision state
aim to her certificate;
word the marriage must depend-
was not eager to defend :

thout a father's name, can raise
high, deserves the greater praise:
antage to the strife he brought,
wonders has his prowess wrought;
ends upon his wind and limbs,
er cork nor bladder when he swims;
empty breath be puff'd along,
elf-but in his helpers-strong.
hen, our hero's name was clear,

n Dighton, and he answer'd, "Here!" t name in early life assign'd und, he never tried to find; kindred were to John disgrace, hcm, is a disputed case; Late owed nothing to their care-glected, and his body bare; ess must on himself depend, noney, counsel, guide, or friend; ket town an active boy

nd sought in various ways employ; hus cast upon the world, began talents of a thriving man.

Unheard their reasons, he received their creed;
At church he deign'd the organ pipes to fill,
And at the meeting sang both loud and shrill :
But the full purse these different merits gain'd,
By strong demands his lively passions drain'd;
Liquors he loved of each inflaming kind,
To midnight revels flew with ardent mind;
Too warm at cards, a losing game he play'd,
To fleecing beauty his attention paid;
His boiling passions were by oaths express'd,
And lies he made his profit and his jest.

Such was the boy, and such the man had been,
But fate or happier fortune changed the scene;
A fever seized him, "He should surely die-”
He fear'd, and lo! a friend was praying by ;
With terror moved, this teacher he address'd,
And all the errors of his youth confess'd:
The good man kindly clear'd the sinner's way
To lively hope, and counsell'd him to pray;
Who then resolved, should he from sickness rise,
To quit cards, liquors, poaching, oaths, and lies:
His health restored, he yet resolved, and grew
True to his masters, to their meeting true:
His old companions at his sober face

Laugh'd loud, while he, attesting it was grace, With tears besought them all his calling to embrace :

To his new friends such converts gave applause, Life to their zeal, and glory to their cause : Though terror wrought the mighty change, yet

strong

Was the impression, and it lasted long;
John at the lectures due attendance paid,
A convert meek, obedient, and afraid.

His manners strict, though form'd on fear alone,
Pleased the grave friends, nor less his solemn

tone,

The lengthen'd face of care, the low and inward

groan :

The stern good men exulted, when they saw
Those timid looks of penitence and awe;
Nor thought that one so passive, humble, meek,
Had yet a creed and principles to seek.

The faith that reason finds, confirms, avows,
The hopes, the views, the comforts she allows---
These were not his, who by his feelings found,
And by them only, that his faith was sound;
Feelings of terror these, for evil past,
Feelings of hope, to be received at last;

rit high John learn'd the world to Now weak, now lively, changing with the day,

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senses was a ready knave: old, obedient, keen, and quick, present, skill'd to shift and trick; le part of many trades he taught, builder and the painter wrought; maids on secret errands ran,

s helper, and the hostler's man ;

These were his feelings, and he felt his way.

Sprung from such sources, will this faith remain
While these supporters can their strength retain :
As heaviest weights the deepest rivers pass,
While icy chains fast bind the solid mass;
So, born of feelings, faith remains secure,

Long as their firmness and their strength endure:
But when the waters in their channel glide,

he chanced (oft chanced he) place to A bridge must bear us o'er the threatening tide :

genius shone in blacking shoes: fisher by the pond he stood, pacher, he o'erlook'd the wood; ion John's impartial mind

Such bridge is reason, and there faith relies,
Whether the varying spirits fall or rise.

His patrons, still disposed their aid to lend, Behind a counter placed their humble friend; Where pens and paper were on shelves display'd,

A hand so ready, vith such humble

From its best hopes, th
To make him humble,
Within their bounds, ar
A deputation from the
Might reason with hin
Arm'd with authority,
They might those folli
Deciding thus, and wi
A chosen body with it

And now, his health restored, his spirits eased,
He wish'd to marry, if the teachers pleased.
They, not unwilling, from the virgin class
Took him a comely and a courteous lass;
Simple and civil, loving and beloved,
She long a fond and faithful partner proved;
In every year the elders and the priest
Were duly summon'd to a christening feast;
Nor came a babe, but by his growing trade,
John had provision for the coming made:
For friends and strangers all were pleased to deal We see thy frailty, an
With one whose care was equal to his zeal.

In human friendship, it compels a sigh,
To think what trifles will dissolve the tie.
John, now become a master of his trade,

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John," said the t

concern,

Satan with toils thy si
And thou art careless,
Unmindful art thou of
Who at the morning

We ask-are answer'

Thee on the Sabbath
Thou canst not sing,
This from the churchn
Have colds and fever
When in some snug
Bills from their ledge

"See with what pric To view thy tempting By what strange na

know,

Perceived how much improvement might be made; Who at the evening?
And as this prospect open'd to his view,
A certain portion of his zeal withdrew;
His fear abated-" What had he to fear-
His profits certain, and his conscience clear?"
Above his door a board was placed by John,
And, "Dighton, stationer," was gilt thereon;
His window next, enlarged to twice the size,
Shone with such trinkets as the simple prize ;
While in the shop with pious works were seen
The last new play, review, or magazine :
In orders punctual, he observed-" The books
He never read, and could he judge their looks?
Readers and critics should their merits try,
He had no office but to sell and buy ;
Like other traders, profit was his care;
Of what they print, the authors must beware."
He held his patrons and his teachers dear,
But with his trade-they must not interfere.
'Twas certain now that John had lost the dread
And pious thoughts that once such terrors bred;
His habits varied, and he more inclined
To the vain world, which he had half resign'd:
He had moreover in his brethren seen,
Or he imagined, craft, conceit, and spleen;
"They are but men," said John, "and shall I then
Fear man's control, or stand in awe of men?
"Tis their advice, (their convert's rule and law,)
And good it is-I will not stand in awe."

Moreover Dighton, though he thought of books
As one who chiefly on the title looks,
Yet sometimes ponder'd o'er a page to find,
When vex'd with cares, amusement for his mind;
And by degrees that mind had treasured much
From works his teachers were afraid to touch:
Satiric novels, poets bold and free,
And what their writers term philosophy;
All these were read, and he began to feel
Some self-approval on his bosom steal.
Wisdom creates humility, but he
Who thus collects it will not humble be:
No longer John was fill'd with pure delight
And humble reverence in a pastor's sight;
Who, like a grateful zealot, listening stood,
To hear a man so friendly and so good;
But felt the dignity of one who made
Himself important hu a thriving trade.

Which wantons wea
Hast thou in view th
To be the pander of
What's here? a book
In goodly knowledge
How! Go!-' it say
And shake thyself!'
Wretch as thou art,
O! without question
What's here? the

schools!

Well, and art thou p
Art thou a pupil, is
To make our names
'Old Nick, a novel!
A fool has courage

Frolic and Fun,' th
Why, John, thou gro
And what?' th'

mighty wellIf Satan publish'd, Jests, novels, dance To crown thy folly We find thee fitted Do print the Koran

"John, thou art 1 O'er all thy though Have bound thee f Yet turn; these sin Repent and pray, a

"And here thy v How fashion's wan Can grace, can dwell?

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L

badge i rend."

I you dare," said Dighton; "you shall

pirit, though to peace inclined; grateful! have I not my pay

ready for th' expected day?—

y plenteous board you deign to come, r pupil, and my house your home; he persons who my meat enjoy faults, and treat me as a boy? ot told how Rome's insulting priests neek laymen like a herd of beasts; ir fleecing and their forgery made calling an accursed trade? ch acts and insolence condemn, r utmost power resemble them? as it you what books I set for sale? erchance may be a virtuous tale; rest, 'tis neither wise nor just, read not, to condemn on trust;

d th' Archdeacon's Charge your spleen e?

hance th' archbishop, may be right. om your meetings I refrain, is true; nothing pleasant-nothing new; e proofs, that not one text explain, ne lights, where all things dark remain; ou saints on earth-but I have found mong you, and the best unsound: your failings, like the crowds below, r pleasure hot and cold can blow. first your grave deportment saw, folly,) I was fill'd with awe;

so warmly, and it seems so well, ve thought it treason to rebel; der that a man like me

h perfection in such teachers see?

I conceive you sent from heaven to brave f sin, and sinful souls to save? reason wakes, our prospects clear, gs, flaws, and blemishes appear. you were mounted in your rostrum high, beneath your tone, your frown, your eye; beheld us abject, fallen, low, our glory from our baseness grow; y your words, I trembled like the rest, vn vileness and your power confess'd: xclaim'd, are men divine, and gazed no taught, delighted, and amazed; n he finish'd, if by chance he cast on such a sinner, as he pass'd. hen I view'd you in a clearer light, he frail and carnal appetite; his humble prayer, you deign'd to eat you are, a civil sinner's meat; you sat contented and at ease, at leisure on the ducks and pease; sed some comforts in such place to find, descend to be a little kind;

us hope, in heaven there might be room souls besides your own to come;

My house my castle is, and that my door."

The hint they took, and from the door withdrew And John to meeting bade a long adieu; Attach'd to business, he in time became

A wealthy man of no inferior name.

It seem'd, alas! in John's deluded sight,
That all was wrong because not all was right;
And when he found his teachers had their stains,
Resentment and not reason broke his chains :
Thus on his feelings he again relied,

And never look'd to reason for his guide:
Could he have wisely view'd the frailty shown,
And rightly weigh'd their wanderings and his

own,

He might have known that men may be sincere,
Though gay and feasting on the savoury cheer;
That doctrines sound and sober they may teach,
Who love to eat with all the glee they preach;
Nay, who believe the duck, the grape, the pine,
Were not intended for the dog and swine;
But Dighton's hasty mind on every theme
Ran from the truth, and rested in th' extreme:
Flaws in his friends he found, and then withdrew
(Vain of his knowledge) from their virtues too.
Best of his books he loved the liberal kind,
That, if they improve not, still enlarge the mind;
And found himself, with such advisers, free
From a fix'd creed, as mind enlarged could be.
His humble wife at these opinions sigh'd,
But her he never heeded till she died:
He then assented to a last request,
And by the meeting window let her rest;
And on her stone the sacred text was seen,
Which had her comfort in departing been.

Dighton with joy beheld his trade advance,
Yet seldom publish'd, loath to trust to chance;
Then wed a doctor's sister-poor indeed,
But skill'd in works her husband could not read
Who, if he wish'd new ways of wealth to seek,
Could make her half-crown pamphlet in a week;
This he rejected, though without disdain,
And chose the old and certain way to gain.
Thus he proceeded, trade increased the while,
And fortune woo'd him with perpetual smile:
On early scenes he sometimes cast a thought,
When on his heart the mighty change was wrought
And all the ease and comfort converts find
Was magnified in his reflecting mind:
Then on the teacher's priestly pride he dwelt,
That caused his freedom, but with this he felt
The danger of the free-for since that day,
No guide had shown, no brethren join'd his way
Forsaking one, he found no second creed,
But reading doubted, doubting what to read.

Still, though reproof had brought some present pain,

The gain he made was fair and honest gain;
He laid his wares, indeed, in public view,
But that all traders claim a right to do:
By means like these, he saw his wealth increase,
And felt his consequence, and dwelt in peace.

The sons he had to early graves were gone,
And girls were burdens to the mind of John.)
"Had I a boy, he would our name sustain,
That now to nothing must return again;
But what are all my profits, credit, trade,
And parish honours ?-folly and parade."

Thus Dighton thought, and in his looks appear'd
Sadness increased by much he saw and heard:
The brethren often at the shop would stay,
And make their comments ere they walk'd away:
They mark'd the window, fill'd in every pane
With lawless prints of reputations slain;
Distorted forms of men with honours graced,
And our chief rulers in derision placed :
Amazed they stood, remembering well the days
When to be humble was their brother's praise,
When at the dwelling of their friend they stopp'd
To drop a word, or to receive it dropp'd;
Where they beheld the prints of men renown'd,
And far-famed preachers pasted all around;
(Such mouths! eyes! hair! so prim! so fierce! so
sleek!

They look'd as speaking what is wo to speak :)
On these the passing brethren loved to dwell-
How long they spake! how strongly! warmly!
well!

What power had each to dive in mysteries deep,
To warm the cold, to make the harden'd weep;
To lure, to fright, to soothe, to awe the soul,
And listening flocks to lead and to control!

But now discoursing, as they linger'd near,
They tempted John (whom they accused) to hear
Their weighty charge-" And can the lost one feel,
As in the time of duty, love, and zeal;
When all were summon'd at the rising sun,
And he was ready with his friends to run;
When he, partaking with a chosen few,
Felt the great change, sensation rich and new?
No! all is lost, her favours Fortune shower'd
Upon the man, and he is overpower'd;
The world has won him with its tempting store
Of needless wealth, and that has made him poor:
Success undoes him, he has risen to fall,
Has gain'd a fortune, and has lost his all;
Gone back from Sion, he will find his age
Loath to commence a second pilgrimage;
He has retreated from the chosen track;

And now must ever bear the burden on his back."
Hurt by such censure, John began to find
Fresh revolutions working in his mind;
He sought for comfort in his books, but read
Without a plan or method in his head;
What once amused, now rather made him sad,
What should inform, increased the doubts he had;
Shame would not let him seek at church a guide,
And from his meeting he was held by pride;
His wife derided fears she never felt,
And passing brethren daily censures dealt;
Hope for a son was now for ever past,
He was the first John Dighton, and the last;
His stomach fail'd, his case the doctor knew,
But said, "He still might hold a year or two."
"No more!" he said, "but why should I complain?
A life of doubt must be a life of pain:
Could I be sure-but why should I despair?
I'm sure my conduct has been just and fair;
In youth indeed I had a wicked will,
But I repented, and have sorrow still:

I had my comforts, and a growing trade
Gave greater pleasure than a fortune made;
And as I more possess'd and reason'd more,
I lost those comforts I enjoy'd before,
When reverend guides I saw my table round,
And in my guardian guest my safety found:
Now sick and sad, no appetite, no ease,
Nor pleasure have I, nor a wish to please;
Nor views, nor hopes, nor plans, nor taste have I,
Yet sick of life, have no desire to die."

He said, and died; his trade, his name is gone,
And all that once gave consequence to John.
Unhappy Dighton! had he found a friend,
When conscience told him it was time to mend!
A friend discreet, considerate, kind, sincere,
Who would have shown the grounds of hope and
fear;

And proved that spirits, whether high or low,
No certain tokens of man's safety show;
Had reason ruled him in her proper place,
And virtue led him while he lean'd on grace;
Had he while zealous been discreet and pure,
His knowledge humble, and his hope secure;-
These guides had placed him on the solid rock,
Where faith had rested, nor received a shock;
But his, alas! was placed upon the sand,
Where long it stood not, and where none can stand.

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THAN old George Fletcher, on the British coast, Dwelt not a seaman who had more to boast; Kind, simple, and sincere-he seldom spoke, But sometimes sang and choruss'd," Hearts of Oak;" In dangers steady, with his lot content, His days in labour and in love were spent.

He left a son so like him, that the old With joy exclaim'd, " 'tis Fletcher we behold;" But to his brother when the kinsmen came, And view'd his form, they grudged the father's

name.

George was a bold, intrepid, careless lad, With just the failings that his father had; Isaac was weak, attentive, slow, exact, With just the virtues that his father lack'd.

George lived at sea; upon the land a guestHe sought for recreation, not for rest; While, far unlike, his brother's feebler form Shrank from the cold, and shudder'd at the storm, Still with the seaman's to connect his trade, The boy was bound where blocks and ropes were made.

George, strong and sturdy, had a tender mind And was to Isaac pitiful and kind.

eevish, and his motions slow; =tle in a world, or make

fortune for his merit's sake: sailor could not boast the art eeply in the human heart; seen that this weak brother knew court, what objects to pursue; stant gain the way discern'd, crooked but his genius learn'd. poor, and this the brother felt; ouse, and there the landsman dwelt; ais trade, and had an easy home, ould George with cash and comforts

ey parted, Isaac look'd around,
friends and helpers might be found.
for some port-place, and one might fall,
ought, if he should try for all;
Ce-and, were it well applied,
its worth-and he had views beside;
Steel was able to promote
man who served him with a vote;
not what some tempers feel,
nd bent the neck to Burgess Steel;
tention to a lady gave,
friend, a maiden spare and grave:
he visage long and look demure
ased-he seem'd sedate and pure;
heart conceived a gentle flame
waited on this virtuous dame :
geous love, a scorching fire,
liking and chastised desire;
waited, patient in delay,
vour and in fortune's way.

en was coasting-war was yet delay'd,
e gain'd was to his brother paid;
le seaman what he saved or spent:
his grog, wrought hard, and was
nt;

aked the land, and George began
hat part became a useful man:
must go; why then, 'tis better far
enter like a British tar,

ve captain and the foe to shun,
'd the music of a gun."

said Isaac-" You shall wear disguise."
aid the seaman,
"clothe myself with

ere's danger.”—“ Danger in the fleet?
mean, good brother, of defeat;
langers I at land must share--
eu! and trust a brother's care."
hile demurr'd-but, in his heart,
e share, he was disposed to part:
mind will sometimes feel the pain
tions-favour is a chain;

Of learn'd physicians, and they will be paid:
Their wives and children men support, at sea,
And thou, my lad, art wife and child to me:
Farewell!-I go where hope and honour call,
Nor does it follow that who fights must fall."
Isaac here made a poor attempt to speak,
And a huge tear moved slowly down his cheek;
Like Pluto's iron drop, hard sign of grace,
It slowly roll'd upon the rueful face,
Forced by the striving will alone its way to trace.

Years fled-war lasted-George at sea remain'd,
While the slow landsman still his profits gain'd:
An humble place was vacant; he besought
His patron's interest, and the office caught;
For still the virgin was his faithful friend,
And one so sober could with truth commend,
Who of his own defects most humbly thought,
And their advice with zeal and reverence sought:
Whom thus the mistress praised, the maid approved,
And her he wedded whom he wisely loved.

No more he needs assistance-but, alas!
He fears the money will for liquor pass;
Or that the seaman might to flatterers lend,
Or give support to some pretended friend :
Still he must write-he wrote, and he confess'd
That, till absolved, he should be sore distress'd;
But one so friendly would, he thought, forgive
The hasty deed-heaven knew how he should live;
But you," he added, "as a man of sense,
Have well consider'd danger and expense :
I ran, alas! into the fatal snare,

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And now for trouble must my mind prepare;
And how, with children, I shall pick my way,
Through a hard world, is more than I can say:
Then change not, brother, your more happy state,
Or on the hazard long deliberate."

George answer'd gravely," It is right and fit,
In all our crosses, humbly to submit:
Your apprehensions are unwise, unjust;
Forbear repining, and expel distrust."
He added, "Marriage was the joy of life,"
And gave his service to his brother's wife;
Then vow'd to bear in all expense a part,
And thus concluded, "Have a cheerful heart."
Had the glad Isaac been his brother's guide,
In these same terms the seaman had replied;
At such reproofs the crafty landsman smiled,
And softly said, "This creature is a child."

Twice had the gallant ship a capture made,
And when in port the happy crew were paid,
Home went the sailor, with his pocket stored,
Ease to enjoy, and pleasure to afford ;

His time was short, joy shone in every face,
Isaac half fainted in the fond embrace :
The wife resolved her honour'd guest to please,
The children clung upon their uncle's knees;

he feeling scorn, and what they wish The grog went round, the neighbours drank his ain;

gs form'd in coarser mould will hate ig hand they ought to venerate; George should in this cause prevail, contending who was glad to fail : ewell! do wipe that doleful eye; came, and groaning we may die.

health,

And George exclaim'd, "Ah! what to this is wealth?
Better," said he, "to bear a loving heart,
Than roll in riches-but we now must part!"

All yet is still-but hark! the winds o'ersweep
The rising waves, and howl upon the deep;
Ships late becalm'd on mountain-billows ride-

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