While others, lingering, pay the written sum,
Half loth, but longing for delight to come.
Of the Youth’s morals we would something speak,
Taught by his Mother what to shun or seek.
She show’d the heavenly way, and in his youth,
Press’d on his yielding mind the Gospel truth,
How weak is man, how much to ill inclined, 150
And where his help is placed, and how to find.
These words of weight sank deeply in his breast,
And awful Fear and holy Hope imprest.