MORAL VERSES, ADDRESSED TO YOUTH.
Whilst early youth spreads smiling skies,
While yet the golden prospects rise,
Which glowing fancy forms:
And yet your bark is seen to glide
Down pleasure’s smoothly passing tide,
Nor fears impending storms.
Attend a while the moral lay,
Be wise, if possible, TO-DAY;
No FUTURE period trust.
To-morrow is beyond your pow’r;
Perhaps the fondly-promis’d hour
May lay you in the dust.
If now with health your pulse beats high,
And joy sits sparkling in your eye,
Yet be the flame represt;
Your sails, while fav’ring zephyrs kiss,
With moderation taste the bliss,
That warms your swelling breast.
Nor deem fair virtue’s rules severe,
Ill habits make them so appear,
Learn timely sloth to shun.
Be then the shining track pursu’d,
Nor follow the rash multitude,
That rush to be undone.
Where mad excess leads forth her hand,
Think Circe waves her direful wand;
Her poison’d cup beware;
Still shun the insolently vain,
And where you see the crew profane,
Avoid the fatal snare.
Be all your thoughts by conscience try’d;
Let purity your actions guide;
Fly ribaldry obscene.
When ardent passion claims her sway,
And to enjoyments points the way,
Let Reason mark the mean.
Dare to be good without a boast;
The substance oft in forms is lost;
Let truth direct your plan.
The vaunt of Pride, while you disdain,
In your deportment yet maintain
The dignity of Man.