Page:Northumberland life-boat.pdf/8

 I pass’d by his garden, I 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 and he begs.

I made him a visit, still hoping to find

He had ta’en better care for improving his mind:

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

But he scarce reads the Bible, and never loves thinking.

Said I then to my heart, “ here’s a lesson for me ;

That man’s but a picture of what I might be:

But thanks to my friends for their care in my breeding,

Who taught me betimes to love working and reading !"

FINIS.