O Fly! I bid you have a care:
You do not heed the danger near;
This light, to you a blazing star.
Already you have scorch'd your wings:
What courage, or what folly brings
You, hovering near such blazing things?
Ah me! you touch this little sun—
One circuit more and all is done!—
Now to the furnace you are gone!—
Thus folly with ambition join'd,
Attracts the insects of mankind,
And sways the superficial mind:
Thus, power has charms which all admire,
But dangerous is that central fire—
If you are wise in time retire.—
[148] First published in the Time-Piece, December 8, 1797. Text from the edition of 1815.
THE INDIAN CONVERT[149]
An Indian, who lived at Muskingum, remote,
Was teazed by a parson to join his dear flock,
To throw off his blanket and put on a coat,
And of grace and religion to lay in a stock.
The Indian long slighted an offer so fair,
Preferring to preaching his fishing and fowling;
A sermon to him was a heart full of care,
And singing but little superior to howling.