[16]
Great Villers lies—alas! how chang'd from him,
That Life of Pleasure, and that Soul of Whym,
Gallant and gay, in Cliveden's proud alcove
The Bow'r of waton Sh * * * y and Love;
Or just as gay, at Council, in a ring
Of mimick'd Statesmen and the merry King.
No Wit to flatter, left of all his store!
No Fool to laugh at, which he valued more.
There, Victor of his health, of fortune, friends,
And fame, this Lord of useless thousands ends!
That Life of Pleasure, and that Soul of Whym,
Gallant and gay, in Cliveden's proud alcove
The Bow'r of waton Sh * * * y and Love;
Or just as gay, at Council, in a ring
Of mimick'd Statesmen and the merry King.
No Wit to flatter, left of all his store!
No Fool to laugh at, which he valued more.
There, Victor of his health, of fortune, friends,
And fame, this Lord of useless thousands ends!
His Grace's fate sage Cutler could foresee,
And well (he thought) advis'd him, "Live like me."
As well his Grace reply'd, "Like you, Sir John?
"That I can do, when all I have is gone."
Resolve me Reason, which of these is worse?
Want with a full, or with an empty purse:
Thy Life more wretched, Cutler, was confess'd;
Arise, and tell me, was thy Death more bless'd?
Cutler saw Tenants break, and houses fall,
For very want; he could not build a wall.
His only Daughter in a Stranger's Pow'r,
For very want; he could not pay a Dow'r.
And well (he thought) advis'd him, "Live like me."
As well his Grace reply'd, "Like you, Sir John?
"That I can do, when all I have is gone."
Resolve me Reason, which of these is worse?
Want with a full, or with an empty purse:
Thy Life more wretched, Cutler, was confess'd;
Arise, and tell me, was thy Death more bless'd?
Cutler saw Tenants break, and houses fall,
For very want; he could not build a wall.
His only Daughter in a Stranger's Pow'r,
For very want; he could not pay a Dow'r.
A few
