Page:Enchiridion (Talbot).pdf/173

Pure be thy food,—with guarded step refrain
From the foul depths of Luxury's domain.
To virtuous aims fire on the swelling soul,
Where Envy pale sits fretting at the goal.
To thy expense be decent limits made;
Nor to the Spendthrift's manners be betray'd;
Nor in the Miser's steps thy course pursue;—
But the just medium ever keep in view.

^[1]To honest aims let all thy actions tend,—
^[2]Truth, justice, peace, their purpose and their end.
Let not thine eyes to balmy sleep be woo'd
Ere thou hast thrice thy daily acts review'd.
Thus search thy heart,—how have I spent this sun?
What rules transgress'd? what duties left undone?—
Each weak, bad act reprove with fearless mind;
And in the good enjoy a bliss refin'd.

^[3]Such be thy practice, such thy labor here,

———

very many. Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drank to excess. shall rebuke the hearts of the proud. Ecclesiasticus, 31 ch., 30-31 ver.

1. See note D, page 174.
2. Treasures of wickedness shall profit nothing but justice shall deliver from death. Prov., 10 ch., 2 ver. Vide etiam, Prov., 11 ch., 4 ver.
   St. Paul speaks beautifully on this subject,—"And put on the new man, who according to God, is created in justice, and holiness of truth. Wherefore putting away lying, speak ye the truth every man with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." Ephes., 4 ch., 24, 25 ver.
3. Be not delighted in the paths of the wicked, neither let