Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/243

 The Four Ages of Man. 157

Now age is more; more good you may" expe6t,

But more mine age, the more is my defe6l."

When my wild oates were Ibwn & ripe and mown

I then receiv'd an harveft of mine own.

My realbn then bad judge how little hope

My^ empty feed fhould yield a better crop:

Then with both hands I grafpt the world together

Thus out of one extream into another:

But yet laid hold on virtue feemingly,

Who climbs without hold climbs dangeroufly;

Be my condition mean, I then take pains [52]

My Family to keep, but not for gains.

A Father I, for children muft provide;

But if none, then for kindred near all3'*'d.

If rich, Fm urged then to gather more.

To bear a port^ i'th'world, and feed the poor.

If noble, then mine honour to maintain,

If not, riches '' nobility can gain.

For time, for place, likewife for each Relation

I wanted not, my ready allegation.

Yet all my powers for felf ends are not fpent.

For hundreds blefs me for my bount}^ lent.-"

Whofe backs '' I've cloth'd, and bellyes I have fed

With mine own fleece, & with my houfhold bread,

« do.

" After this the first edition has, — But what's of" worth, 3'our ej'es Ihal firft behold, And then a world of drofle among mj gold.

/ Such. 7 me out. ^ vet wealth.

•s fent. '' Io\'nes.

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