Transcription

Unskilful he to fawn, or seek for power, By doctrines fashion'd to the varying hour: Far other aims, his heart had learnt to prize More bent to raise the watched, than to rise. His house was known to all the vagrant train, He Chid their wand'rings, but releiv'd their pain. The long remember'd Beggar was his guest Whose beard descending swept his aged breast. The ruin'd spendthrift, now no longer proud Claim'd kindred there, and had his claims allow'd; The broken soldier kindly bade to stay Set by his fire, and talk'd the night away; Pleas'd with his guests, the good Man learnt to glow And quite forgot their vices in their woe; Careless their merits, or their faults to scan His pity gave, ere charity began. Thus to releive the wretched was his pride and even his failings lean'd to virtue's side But in his duty prompt at every call He watch'd, & wept, he pray'd and felt for all;