[18]
Constant at Church, and Change; his gains were sure,
His givings rare, save farthings to the poor.
His givings rare, save farthings to the poor.
The Dev'l was piqu'd, such saintship to behold,
And long'd to tempt him like good Job of old:
But Satan now is wiser than of yore,
And tempts by making rich, not making poor.
And long'd to tempt him like good Job of old:
But Satan now is wiser than of yore,
And tempts by making rich, not making poor.
Rouz'd by the Prince of Air, the whirlwinds sweep
The surge, and plunge his Father in the deep;
Then full against his Cornish lands they roar,
And two rich Ship-wrecks bless the lucky shore.
The surge, and plunge his Father in the deep;
Then full against his Cornish lands they roar,
And two rich Ship-wrecks bless the lucky shore.
Sir Balaam now, he lives like other folks,
He takes his chirping pint, he cracks his jokes:
"Live like your self," was soon my Lady's word;
And lo! two puddings smok'd upon the board.
He takes his chirping pint, he cracks his jokes:
"Live like your self," was soon my Lady's word;
And lo! two puddings smok'd upon the board.
Asleep and naked as an Indian lay,
An honest Factor stole a Gem away:
He pledg'd it to the Knight; the Knight had wit,
So kept the Diamond, and the Rogue was bit:
Some Scruple rose, but thus he eas'd his thought,
"I'll now give six-pence where I gave a groat,
"Where once I went to church, I'll now go twice,
"And am so clear too, of all other Vice."
An honest Factor stole a Gem away:
He pledg'd it to the Knight; the Knight had wit,
So kept the Diamond, and the Rogue was bit:
Some Scruple rose, but thus he eas'd his thought,
"I'll now give six-pence where I gave a groat,
"Where once I went to church, I'll now go twice,
"And am so clear too, of all other Vice."
The
