nd gain the means from a D--e;
If they have money for to spare,
They'll will bestow it on the fair
The Cambridge ladies know it well,
I only do the truth now tell;
I've known a footman gain a place,
To save a C---e from disgrace;
He gains a calf as well as cow,
To manage matters they know how;
Poor Tom don't mind if he can find,
The P---n have a generous mind;
They always should to business stick,
Correct their flock read to the sick;
Too oft they do that task delay,
They are the first to go astray.
They ne'er should be a M---g---e,
It makes the people oft them hate;
From them no milk of kindness flow,
It's seldom mercy they will show.
Too oft they do to prison send,
A man his future life to mend;
He learns in such a place to be,
A hardened villian you may see.
Soon as his liberty he gain,
From acts of tumult wont abstain;
From every virtue he's bereft,
By company he's lately kept;
Small faults it's better to look o'er,
And tell them for to sin no more:
A bridewell often inmates have,
Who do for others riches crave:
In the same cell a boy is placed,
That have incur'd some slight disgrace;
Often he's placed with such a man
As teach him mischief all he can.
The boy goes out well versed in art,
That his late inmates did impart;
As soon as he his freedom gain,
Do that which causeth grief and pain;
Grown more familiar to a plan,
Of robbing others all he can.
And whilst in prison he was taught,
To tell a lie to screen a fault;
His brother prisoners did him teach,
To crib all trifles in his reach;
Too oft he's led by poachers where
To fang a bird or catch a hare:
And by advice he choose a spot
Where rambling Keepers see him not.
Poachers I think are less to blame
Then those that often buy the game.
There is a God that dwells on high,
Who will all mortals faults descry;
Should he no mercy to them show,
And send the men of prayers below,
Where Satan dwells and where he reigns,
To plant on sinners chains and pains;
With man let mercy constant rest,
For ever in the mind and breast.
Mercy I fear they never knew,
Or if they did it from them flew;
For virtue only can be found,
Where hearts are good minds are sound;
Humanity few e'er possess'd,
They cannot keep it in their breast.
No, arrogance and pride there dwell