What various thoughts men's converse here unfolds,—
Some good, some bad, and cast in divers moulds;—
Unmov'd in justice let thy soul abide,
[1]Nor turn one moment from thy path aside;
Though falsehood's voice shouts thunder at thine ear,
The vicious sounds with tranquil bosom bear.
And, hark, meantime let no false tongue invite,
In word or deed, thy footsteps from the right
And open path. Let thought each act precede,
That truth may reign, and justice may succeed.
[2]In rash designs th' unwise alone engage,
While deeds of worth display the cautious sage.
Be not the arts with unskill'd hands essay'd;—
Let use direct, and reason be obey'd:
Thus Life's pure stream in blissful mood shall glide,
While Wisdom walks sweet smiling at thy side.
Thy corporal health, meantime, attend with care;
Be wholesome bounds set to thy daily fare:—
[3]In meat, in drink, in exercise, define
- ↑ If wisdom shall enter into thy heart, and knowledge please thy soul: counsel shall keep thee, and prudence shall preserve thee. That thou mayst be delivered from the evil way, and from the man that speaketh perverse things: who leave the right way, and walk by dark ways: who are glad when they have done evil, and rejoice in most wicked things: &c. Prov. 2 ch., 10-14 ver.
- ↑ A fool worketh mischief as it were for sport: but wisdom is prudence to a man. Prov., 10 ch., 23 ver.
- ↑ Challenge not them that love wine: for wine has destroyed
