LIFE. A POEM.
While through life’s thorny road I go,
I will not want companions too:
A dreary journey, and alone,
Would be, alas! too troublesome.
But company that’s choice and good,
Makes trouble hardly understood:
For toil, divided, seems to be
No toil, but a felicity.
Therefore will I companions take,
As well for ease as safety’s sake.
Fair truth shall serve me for a guide,
Justice shall never leave my side:
Integrity, my trusty guard!
Nor shall I Caution quite discard:
Experience shall my tutor be,
Nor will I wiser seem than he:
Discretion all my thoughts shall weigh,
And Modesty my words convey:
Soft Innocence protect my sleep,
And Charity my purse shall keep.
Thus thro’ this wilderness I’ll stray,
Nor ever fear to lose my way:
The Sages I sometimes will see,
Be sometimes with the Muses free.
With guiltless Mirth an hour beguile,
Or with free-spoken Satire smile.
With Meditation often walk,
Or with sweet Melancholy talk
With these companion’s dear I’ll sport,
Nor heed the journey, long or short.
So Health supply the Doctor’s place,
And, for a Chaplain, send me Grace.
For the New-York Weekly Magazine.