Page:Poetical pieces on various subjects.pdf/20

 Likewise, to shew himself a prudent man,

He in his mind conceiv'd a singular plan;

According to his dream, a day he set,

That he would pay each fraction of his debt;

His artificers and his working men,

Were to attend, or have themselves to blame;

The day arriv'd, his friends he did combine,

To'see him now in a prodigious line;

To view his debts discharg'd by that great pelf,

Which yet was kept a secret to himself.

Now view them seated round his coastly board,

And feasting as if with some gallant lord;

While many tradesmen round his dwelling hums,

All fondly waiting their respective sums.

The hour of five did now begin to beat,

The very time that his dream phantom set,

Tho' then engag'd, resolving to get free,

He left his seat and to the door did flee;

In empty stile he gave his hand a wave

"Your pardon, friends, I for a moment crave."

Unto his closet then great haste he made,

In hopes to meet with this uncommon aid.

In great suspense he waited there till six,

But nothing found, which did somewhat perplex;