Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/240

 154 An fie Bradji reefs Worhs.

This is my beft, but Youth is known, Alas!

To be as wild as is the Ihuffing Afs :

As vain as froth, or vanity can be,

That who would fee vain man, may look on me.

My gifts abusd, my education loft,

My wofuU Parents longing hopes are "^ croft,

My wit evaporates in merriment,

My valour in fome beaftly quarrell's fpent:"

My luft doth hurry me to all that's ill:

I know no law nor reafon but my will.

Sometimes lay wait to take a wealthy purfe,

Or ftab the man in's own defence (that's worfe)

Sometimes I cheat (unkind) a female heir

Of all at once, who not fo wife as fair

Trufteth my loving looks and glozing tongue,

Untill her friends, treafure and honour's gone.

Sometimes I lit carouling others health, [50]

Untill mine own be gone, my wit and wealth.

From pipe to pot, from pot to words and blows,

For he that loveth wine, wanteth no woes.

Whole * nights with Ruftins, Roarers Fidlers fpend,

To all obfcenity mine ears I lend:"

All Counfell hate, which tends to make me wife,

And deareft friends count for mine enemies.


 * all.

« After thib the first edition has, —

Martial deeds I love not, 'cauTe they're vertuous, But doing fo. might feem magnanimous.

^ Daves. c bend.

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