WHEN SHALL I ANSWER NO?
J.N. McELLIGOTT.
1. When FALSEHOOD fair entices thee
Against the truth to go,
No matter what the pretext be,
Be thy firm answer,—No!
2. When RASHNESS would thy tongue profane
With language vile and low,
O, make the gross temptation vain,
By answering inly,—No!
3. When PRIDE the silly wish declares,
That thou should'st fashion know,
And lifts thy head with empty airs,
Be wise, and answer,—No!
4. When ENVY would thy spirit chafe,
That others prosper so,
On calm contentment resting safe,
Expel her with a—No!
5. When MALICE foul, or deadly HATE,
Would turn thee on a foe,
And dark, revengeful thirst create,
In horror answer,—No!
6. When sluggish SLEEP, with folded arms,
Would make thee health forego,
('') Rise up at once, resist her charms;
Act out the answer,—No!
7. When AVARICE would, with heartless speed,
Shout out the sight of woe,
And whisper joy from Mammon's greed,
Indignant answer,—No!
8. When filthy LUCRE lifts her hand,
Ungodly gains to show,
Though she should promise all the land,
Be thy prompt answer,—No!
9. When greedy GAIN, or rash EMPRISE,
Would have thee surety go,
Keep Wisdom's words[Footnote 1] before thine eyes,
And firmly answer,—No!
10. When mad AMBITION would seduce,
The right to overthrow,
And turn the selfish passions loose,
In mercy answer,—No!
11. When foul CONTEMPT of Holy Writ
Would in thy bosom sow
The wish to be where scorners sit,[Footnote 2]
Let Conscience answer,—No!
12. When SIN, indeed, whate'er her style,
Would have thee with her go;
Stay not to hear the Sorceress vile,
But leave her with a—No!
[Footnote 1: Prov., 11th Chap., 15th verse.]
[Footnote 2: 1st Psalm, 1st verse.]
[!-- Marker --] LESSON XXVI.
PE RUSE', read; study.
AL LOT' TED, assigned.
ME RID' I AN, noon; mid-day.
GEN' U INE, true; real.
ART' FUL, cunning; crafty.
MIM' ICK ED, pretended; counterfeited.
PRE SIDE', have sway or rule.
DE MER' IT, ill-desert; defect.
RU' BY, precious stone.
PUP' PET, little image.
DE TER' MINE, decide; find out.
ER' MINE, fine fur—(of the ermine.)
CAP' TOR, one who takes a prize.
SCEP' TERS, emblems of authority.
CHA' RY, careful; wary.
MYS' TIC, secret; mysterious.
We have seldom seen any thing so full of wit, truth, and practical wisdom, as this poem inscribed.