To gain relief he took a glass the more,

And then went on as careless as before;

Thenceforth, uncheck’d, amusements he partook,

And (save his ledger) saw no decent book;

Him found the merchant punctual at his task,

And that performed, he’d nothing more to ask;

He cared not how old Abel play’d the fool,

No master he, beyond the hours of school:

Thus they proceeding, had their wine and joke,

Till merchant Dixon felt a warning stroke,