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Rh

To be merry and wiſe is a proverb of old,

But a maxim ſo good can’t be too often told;

Then attend to my ſong, nor my counſel deſpiſe,

For I mean to be merry— but merry and wiſe.

Ye bucks, who then toping ſuch rapture expreſs,

And yet find the next day diſmal proofs of exceſs,

Avoid all extremes, and mark well my advice,

’Tis to drink and be merry— but merry and wiſe.

In women, all lovely, is center’d each bliſs,

But let prudence give ſanction, ’twill ſweeten the kiſs;

If not beauty or folly your ſerfes ſurpriſe,

You may kiſs and be merry,— yet merry and wiſe.

Then ye topers and rakes, who would lead happy lives

All exceſs avoid, and chuſe modeſt wives:

While prudence preſides, it is thus I adviſe,

Love & drink, & be merry— but merry and wiſe.

M laſses, do you Jockey ken,

the pride of Aberdeen?

His golden locks haughang [sic] o’er his brow,

loye wantons in his een;