Ah! wretched father of a wretched son,
Whom thy paternal prudence has undone;
How will remembrance of this blinded care
Bend down thy head with anguish, and despair!
Such dire effects from Avarice arise,
That, deaf to Nature’s voice, and vainly wise,
With force severe endeavours to controul
The noblest passions that inspire the soul.
But, O Thou sacred Power! whose law connects
Th’ eternal chain of causes and effects,