He drank - ’twas needful his poor nerves to brace;
He swore - ’twas habit; he was grieved - ’twas grace:
What could they do a new-born zeal to nurse?
“His wealth’s undoubted - let him hold our purse;
He’ll add his bounty, and the house we’ll raise
Hard by the church, and gather all her strays:
We’ll watch her sinners as they home retire,
And pluck the brands from the devouring fire.”
Alas! such speech was but an empty boast;
The good men reckon’d, but without their host;