Complain not if attachments lewd and base
Supplant thee in it, and usurp thy place.

But, if thou guard it's sacred chambers sure
From vicious inmates and delights impure,
Either his gratitude shall hold him fast,

And keep him warm and filial to the last;
Or, if he
prove unkind (as who can say

But being man, and therefore frail, he may?)
One comfort yet shall cheer thine aged heart,
Howe'er he slight thee, thou hast done thy part.

890

Oh barb'rous! wouldst thou with a gothic hand Pull down the schools-what!-all the schools

i' th' land;

Or throw them up to liv'ry-nags and grooms,
Or turn them into shops and auction rooms?
A captious question, sir, (and yours is one)
Deserves an answer similar, or none.
Wouldst thou, possessor of a flock, employ
(Appris'd that he is such) a careless boy,

900

And feed him well, and give him handsome pay, Merely to sleep, and let them run astray?

Survey our schools and colleges, and see

A sight not much unlike my simile.
From education, as the leading cause,
The public character it's colour draws;

Thence the prevailing manners take their cast,
Extravagant or sober, loose or chaste.

And, though I would not advertise them yet,
Nor write on each-This building to be let,
Unless the World were all prepar'd t' embrace
A plan well worthy to supply their place;
Yet, backward as they are, and long have been,
To cultivate and keep the MORALS clean,
(Forgive the crime) I wish them, I confess,

Or better manag'd, or encourag'd less.

910

922

The wildest wind that blows,

Are neither felt nor fear'd by them

Secure of their repose.

But man, all feeling and awake,

The gloomy scene surveys;

With present ills his heart must ake,

And pant for brighter days.

10

Old Winter halting o'er the mead,

Bids me and Mary mourn;

But lovely Spring peeps o'er his head,
And whispers your return.

Then April, with her sister May,

Shall chase him from the bow'rs, And weave fresh garlands ev'ry day,

To crown the smiling hours.

And, if a tear, that speaks regret
Of happier times, appear,

A glimpse of joy, that we have met,
Shall shine and dry the tear.

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