436 ANNUAL REGISTER, 175a.
Succeeding times with facred awe Have the prefcription held as law j And to this day you cannot find One creature that with patient mind. Endures for better and for worfe. His proper life's determin'd conrfe.
Thus the fond country damfel prays For balls, and mafquerades, and plays ; Whilft your town ladies wifh to rove Thro* the green glade and fbady grove j Thus damns the Captain, blood and fire. And longs to reft an eafy 'Squire ; Whilft the fierce 'Squire impatient glows To meet in arms his country's foes : And thus to cut the matter fhort, (For why in long exampling fport When one home cafe the truth will fiiew ?) You like the church, and I the law.
Bat fince no pow'r propitious hears The peevifh tenor of our pray'^rs. And, fpite of all our noife and din. You muft read briefs, 1 rail at fin ; Let us, my friend, with nicer eye. The nature of 'our ftations try; See if the mafs we fo deplore Contain not feme intrinfic ore : Some latent principle of good. Sure to be prized when underftood.
And firfl, t' obferve an order due, 'Tis proper my own cafe to view ; As children of dillinguifh'd talle. Still eat the daintieft bits the laft. 'Tis true, from crape fome torment fprlngs > Lean curacies are hateful things ; Diftreffing cramps to gen'rous fpirit ; You fcarce can treat a friend of merit j And then your rufty wig and gown Excite the laugh of ev'ry clown. But when fome years have roll'd away. Some patron of benignant clay (Time move thy lazy pinions quicker ;) May fet me down a thankful vicar. Now fee the profped brighten round, Unnumber'd comforts- ftrait abound ; A fair three hundred pounds a year. Good books, neat houfe, and dainty cheer, A mettled nag, perhaps a chair. To ride abroad and take the air i
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