4
It is a pity such a youth as you,
Should be debarred his pastime to pursue,
But always be confin'd to go to school,
It is enough to make a child a fool.
Be ruled by me and go to balls and plays,
And take your pleasure in your youthful days,
Ne'er spend your time as you till now have done,
For if you do, you'll into sorrow run.
Money at your command you still shall have,
And all things else that you desire or crave,
You nothing here shall want while on the earth,
So never take thonght of what comes after death.
The child replied, I can't think who you be,
That now has given such bad advice to me,
Surely you do not think there is a God,
Your speech to me it seems so very odd.
What pleasure can I take more than I do,
The gospel of the Lord I will pursue;
To serve my master is my whole delight,
And strive to walk within the paths of light.
At last he happens to cast down his eyes,
And Satan's cloven feet he then espies,
At which he was not daunted in the least,
