A SLIGHT SPECIMEN OF MORAL SONGS : Such as I wish some happy and condescending Geniuswould undertake for the Use of Children, and perform much better. THE sense and subjects might be borrowed plentifully from the Prbverbe of Solomon, from all the common appearances of nature, from all the occur- rences in the civil life, both in city and country: (which would also afford matter for other divine songs) Here the language and measures should be easy, and flow- ing with cheerfulness, with or without the solemnities of religion, or the sacred names of God and holy things ; that children might find delight and profit togther. This would be, one effectual way to deliver them from the temptation of lovingor learning those idle, wanton, or profane songs, which give so early an ill taint to the fancy and memory, and become the seeds of future vices. I. The Sluggard. 1 'TIS the voice of the Sluggard ; I heard him complain, " You have wak'd me too soon, I must slumber again." As the door on itshinges, so beon his bed Turns his sides, and his shoulders, and his heavy head. 2 " A little more sleep, and a little more slumber ;" Thus he wastes half his days and his hours without number.; Andwhen he gets up, he sits folding his hands, Or walks about sauntring, or trifling he stands. 3 I pass'd by his garden, and saw the wild brier, The thornand thethistle grow broader and higher The clothes that hang on him are turn- ing to rags ; And his money still wastes, till he starves, or be begs. 4 I made him a visit, still hoping to find, He had took better car; for improving his mind ; He told me his dreams, talk'd of eat- ing and drinking ; But he scarce reads his bible, and never loves thinking. 5 Said I then to my heart, "Here's a lesson for me ;" That man's but a picture of what I. might be, But thanks to my friends for their care in my breeding, Who taught me betimes to .love work- ing and reading. II. Innocent Play. I ABROAD in the meadows to see the young lambs Run sporting aboutby the side of their dams, With fleeces so clean and so white; Or a nestof young doves in a large open cage, When they play all in love without anger or rage ; How much we may learn from the sight. 2 If we had been ducks we might dabble in mud ; Or dogs, we might play till it ended in blood ; So foul and so fierce are their natures. But Thomas and William, and such pretty names, Should be cleanly and harmless as doves or as lambs, Those lovely, sweet, innocent crea- tures. 3 Not a thing that we do, nor a word that we say, _. Should injureanother in jesting or play; For he's still in earnest that's hurt : How rude are the boys that throw peb- bles and mire ! There's none but a madman will fling about fire, And tell you, 6"Tis all but in sport. ". III. The Rose. 1. HOW fair is the Rose ! what a beauti- ful flow'r 1 The glory of April and May But the leaves are beginning to fade in an hour, And they wither and die in a day. .
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