Page:Tales of instruction, in verse and prose.pdf/11

(11) What ſtrange events can ſtrike with more ſurprize,

Than thoſe which lately ſtruck thy wondring eyes?

Yet, taught by theſe, confeſs th' Almighty juſt,

And where you can't unriddle, learn to truſt!

The great, vain man, who far'd on coſtly food,

Whoſe life was too luxurious to be good;

Who made his iv'ry ſtands with goblets ſhine,

And forc'd his gueſts to morning-draughts of wine;

Has, with the cup, the graceleſs cuſtom loſt,

And ſtill he welcomes, but with leſs of coſt.

The mean, ſuſpicious wretch, whoſe bolted door

Ne'er mov'd in duty to the wandring poor:

With him I left the cup, to teach his mind,

That heav'n can bleſs, if mortals will be kind.

Conſcious of wanting worth, he views the bowl,

And feels compaſſion touch his grateful ſoul.

Thus artiſts melt the ſullen ore of lead,

With heaping coals of fire upon its head;

In the kind warmth the metal learns to glow,

And looſe from droſs, the ſilver runs below.

Long had our pious friend in virtue trode,

But now the child half wean'd his heart from God;

(Child of his age) for him he liv'd in pain,