Thus he wastes half his days, and his hours without number;

And when he gets up, he sits folding his hands,

Or walks about sauntering, or trifling he stands.

I passed by his garden, and saw the wild brier,

The thorn and the thistle grow broader and higher:

The clothes that hang on him are turning to rags,

And his money still wastes, till he starves or he begs.

I made him a visit, still hoping to find

He had took better care for improving his mind;

He told me his dreams, talk’d of eating and drinking;