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The Prisoner's Welcome.
Welcome, welcome, brother debtor,
To this poor but merry place,
Where no bailiff, Dun, nor Setter,
Dare to show their frightful face:
But, kind Sir, as you’re a stranger,
Down your garnish you must lay,
Else your coat will be in danger;
You must either strip or pay.
Ne’er repine at your confinement,
From your children, or your wife;
wisdom lies in true resignment,
Thro’ the various scenes of life.
Scorn to shew the least resentment,
Tho’ beneath the frowns of fate;
Knaves and beggars find contentment,
Fears and cares attend the great.
Tho’ our creditors are spiteful,
And retain us captives here,
Use will make a goal delightful,
Since we’ve nothing else to fear:
Every island’s but a prison,
Strongly guarded by the sea;
