VI. GOOD RESOLUTIONS. THOUGH I am now in younger days, Where my growing age shall call me. Should I e'er be rich or great, Others shall partake my goodness; I'll supply the poor with meat, Never showing scorn nor rudeness. Where I see the blind or lame, Deaf or dumb, I'll kindly treat them; I deserve to feel the same, If I mock, or hurt, or cheat them. If I meet with railing tongues, Why should I return them railing? When I hear them telling lies, Talking foolish, cursing, swearing, First I'll try to make them wise, Or I'll soon go out of hearing. What though I be low and mean? If I should be poor and sick, I shall meet, I hope, with pity, Since I love to help the weak, Though they're neither fair nor witty. I'll not willingly offend, Nor be easily offended; What's amiss I'll strive to mend, And endure what can't be mended. May I be so watchful still O'er my humours and my passion, As to speak and do no ill, Though it should be all the fashion. Wicked fashions lead to hell; Ne'er may I be found complying; But in life behave so well, Not to be afraid of dying. VII. A SUMMER EVENING. How fine has the day been! how bright was the sun, How lovely and joyful the course that he run! Just such is the Christian: his course he begins, Like the sun, in a mist, while he mourns for his sins, And melts into tears; then he breaks out and shines, And travels his heavenly way: But when he comes nearer to finish his race, Like a fine setting sun he looks richer in grace, And gives a sure hope at the end of his days Of rising in brighter array. A CRADLE HYMN. Some copies of the following Hymn having got abroad already into several hands, the author has been persuaded to permit it to appear in public at the end of these Songs for Children. HUSн, my dear, lie still and slumber! Sleep, my babe; thy food and raiment, All without thy care or payment, How much better thou 'rt attended Soft and easy is thy cradle; Coarse and hard thy Saviour lay, Blessed babe! what glorious features, Was there nothing but a manger Soft, my child; I did not chide thee, "Tis thy { mother 1 nurse that } sits beside thee, And her arms shall be thy guard. Yet to read the shameful story, How the Jews abus'd their King, See the kinder shepherds round him, Telling wonders from the sky; There they sought him, there they found him, See the lovely babe a-dressing; 1 Here you may use the words, brother, sister, neighbour, friend, &c. |