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Rh The watchful guests still hint the last offence, The daughter's petulance, the son's expense; Improve his heady rage with treach'rous skill, And mould his passions till they make his will.
 * Unnumber'd maladies his joints invade,

Lay siege to life, and press the dire blockade; But unextinguish'd Avarice still remains, And dreaded losses aggravate his pains; He turns, with anxious heart and crippled hands, His bonds of debt, and mortgages of lands; Or views his coffers with suspicious eyes, Unlocks his gold, and counts it till he dies.
 * But grant, the virtues of a temperate prime

Bless with an age exempt from scorn or crime; An age that melts in unperceived decay, And glides in modest innocence away; Whose peaceful day Benevolence endears, Whose night congratulating Conscience cheers; The general favourite as the general friend; Such age there is, and who shall wish its end?
 * Yet even on this her load Misfortune flings,

To press the weary minutes' flagging wings; New sorrow rises as the day returns, A sister sickens, or a daughter mourns. Now kindred Merit fills the sable bier, Now lacerated Friendship claims a tear; Year chases year, decay pursues decay, Still drops some joy from withering life away;