weak vessel totters on the main:
She reels, she sinks, from chaste affections view,
To taste the draught of bitterness anew.
Some vile procuress with a demon's skill,
In a short period gains her to her will;
Till grown familiar to a harlot's life,
Quote inebriety to banish strife;
Becomes familiar to a vicious plan,
Adds to the charmers in the siren's den;
To liquor fly to banish thoughts of home,
And nightly forc'd for ways and means to roam.
Sweet health is banish'd and she finds too late,
Some dismal bridewell soon must be her fate;
All means are fled, the staff of life to gain,
To bridewell hurried with remorse and pain.
A pass is granted,--to her father sent,
Where she is foster'd from the element.
A tender parent kiss the long lost child,
Assures forgiveness tho' by grief turn'd wild.
Soon as the mind to calmer scenes invite,
He bless the hour that brought his lost to sight.
A scene like this came lately to my ear,
I know the parent and his worth revere.
Frequent do parents cause the great distress,
That on their daughters unexpected press.
The mother drains her pockets very low,
That Miss may make a gaudy flippant show;
To country balls she often bends her way,
And is allowed with cards and dice to play.
View but the manners of the modern belle,
And see if they don't levity foretell:
The bosom oft appears too much in view,
Sweet modesty is forc'd to bid adieu:
To her chaste dictates she cannot attend,
Indeed they do not deem her as a friend.
Mark how they roll their lively eyes about,
Just like her Ladyship when at a rout.
A piece of music next the parlour grace,
While vanity is striding on apace:
So swift she flies that almost time outrun;
By her manoeuvres oft the fair's undone;
Miss cannot look on any but a squire,
Or dress'd up coxcombs, only them admire;
An honest farmer's son they call a clown,
Likes none but puppies living in a town;
Such creatures, soon as wedded, only strive
How to jog on and keep the game alive:
Careless who suffers if they can but live,
Wanting still more than prudent parents give;
All wishes gratified,--in hopes that Miss
Will soon enjoy the matrimonial bliss.
A prudent living man is known to say,
For me such bawbles dress too fine and gay;
She'd squander money much against my will,
In paying milliner's enorm