They quoted books, to him both bold and new, And scorn'd as fables all he held as true; "Such monkish stories and such nursery lies," That he was struck with terror and surprise. "What! all his life had he the laws obey'd, "Which they broke through and were not once afraid? "Had he so long his evil passions check'd, "And yet at last had nothing to expect? "While they their lives in joy and pleasure led, Much time he passed in this important strife, And much in private 'twould their mirth improve, Ere his poor mind with every deed alarm'd, Like boys on ice, with pleasure and with fear; And then proceed with blunders and delays: But to do. At length example Abel's dread removed, With small concern he sought the joys he loved; Not resting here, he claim'd his share of fame, "Such were our dreams," the jovial elder cried ; Now the gay clerk a modest drab despised, Rank'd the lean man among the Borough beaux : So deck'd in person and so changed in mind? When Abel walk'd the streets, with pleasant mien For Abel fearing, first in secret pray'd; Then thus in love and scorn her notions she convey'd : "Alas! brother! can I see thee pace my "Hoodwink'd to hell, and not lament thy case, "Nor stretch my feeble hand to stop thy headlong race? "Lo! thou art bound; a slave in Satan's chain, "The righteous Abel turn'd the wretched Cain ; "His brother's blood against the murderer cried, 66 Against thee thine, unhappy suicide! "Are all our pious nights and peaceful days, "Our hearts' rejoicings in the blessings lent, "When in the years gone by, the trying years, “When faith and hope had strife with wants and fears, 66 66 66 Thy nerves have trembled till thou couldst not eat (Dress'd by this hand) thy mess of simple meat; When, grieved by fastings, gall'd by fates severe, "Slow pass'd the days of the successless year; "Still in these gloomy hours, my brother then "Till thou hast enter'd in thine humble bed, 66 By lofty hopes and heavenly musings fed; "Then I have seen thy lively looks express "The spirit's comforts in the man's distress. "Then didst thou cry, exulting, 'Yes, 'tis fit, ""Tis meet and right, my heart! that we submit :' “And wilt thou, Abel, thy new pleasures weigh "Against such triumphs?-Oh! repent and pray. "What are thy pleasures?—with the gay to sit, And thy poor brain torment for awkward wit; "All thy good thoughts (thou hat'st them) to restrain, “And give a wicked pleasure to the vain; 66 Thy long lean frame by fashion to attire, "That lads may laugh and wantons may admire; "To raise the mirth of boys, and not to see, "Unhappy maniac! that they laugh at thee. "These boyish follies, which alone the boy "Can idly act or gracefully enjoy, "Add new reproaches to thy fallen state, "And make men scorn what they would only hate. "Farewell! the parish will thy sister keep, "Where she in peace shall pray and sing and sleep, ing sheep! "When youth is fall'n, there's hope the young may rise, "But fallen age for ever hopeless lies: |