Riots avoid, tho' mischief none you do,
Your being at them, brings a stain on you;
Those who look on, will afterwards repent,
And share alike in point of punishment:
The Law expressly properly declare,
He adds to tumult, that is present there;
Take my advice, let reason bear her sway,
From scenes of discord, always keep away;
You'd think it hard, a worthless savage crew,
Should gain by plunder, all your goods from you:
The worst of men are foremost on a plan,
To gain by rapine every way they can;
Do you suppose, that wasting others store,
Can ease the hardships of the labouring poor;
No such a course, our present ills increase,
And robs the Nation of its inward peace.
From late example, all are taught to know,
Dreadful his fate, that strikes confusion's blow;
Then let us quiet at our cots remain,
And better times will cheer us once again.
All means are trying comforts to restore,
To ease the hardships of the labouring poor;
Think what distress awaits dishonest ways,
Immured in prison many wretched days;
Not only days, perhaps they shed their tears,
In Foreign Lands for many dismal years;
Not only years perhaps are doom'd for life,
Abroad to roam, from children, home and wife:
Should it your lot in prison for to be,
Implore with fervent prayer the Deity;
Who will in time if you sincerely pray,
Lessen your troubles each succeeding day:
It's thro' our Saviour's aid that we should crave,
A gracious pardon ere we meet the grave;
His intercession with the King of Kings,
Alone can save you from eternal stings.
When at the court, for trial you appear,
Speak nought but truth, you better for it fare;
For should you dare to introduce a lie,
Justice's sharp eye each falsehood will descry:
I've known a perjur'd witness brought to swear,
The guilty felon, of his crime is clear:
Dismay'd, confus'd, he feels alas! too late,
Such impious conduct greatly aggravate;
Besides he answers at the awful day,
For causing others from the truth to stray.
Whatever happens in this vale of tears,
Our Maker knows, give him your fervent prayers:
Let your demeanor if in prison be,
Such as the jailor can contrition see;
For his report may mitigate your doom,
And sometimes save you from a prison's gloom.
Religious Books if you can read attend,
They are in solitude the pris'ner's