AGAINST IDLENESS AND MISCHIEF.

1 How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From ev'ry op'ning flow'r!

2 How skilfully she builds her cell!
How neat she spreads her wax!
And labours hard to store it well
With the sweet food she makes.

3 In works of labour, or of skill,
I would be busy too;

For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.

4 In books, or works, or healthful play, Let my first years be past;

That I may give for ev'ry day

Some good account at last.

1 WHY should I join with those in play, In whom I've no delight;

Who curse and swear,

but never pray,

Who call ill names and fight?

2 I hate to hear a wanton song;
Their words offend my ears:
I should not dare defile my tongue
With language such as theirs.

3 Away from fools I'll turn my eyes,
Nor with the scoffers go;

I would be walking with the wise,
That wiser I may grow.

4 From one rude boy that's us'd to mock, Ten learn the wicked jest:

One sickly sheep infects the flock,
And poisons all the rest.

5 My God, I hate to walk or dwell
With sinful children here:

Then let me not be sent to hell,
Where none but sinners are.

AGAINST PRIDE IN CLOTHES.

1 WHY should our garments, made to hide Our parents' shame, provoke our pride? The art of dress did ne'er begin,

Till Eve, our mother, learnt to sin.

2 When first she put the cov'ring on,
Her robe of innocence was gone;
And yet her children vainly boast
In the sad marks of glory lost.

3 How proud we are! how fond to show
Our clothes, and call them rich and new!
When the poor sheep and silk-worm wore
That very clothing long before.

4 The tulip and the butterfly Appear in gayer coats than I; Let me be drest fine as I will,

Flies, worms, and flow'rs exceed me still.
5 Then will I set my heart to find
Inward adornings of the mind;
Knowledge and virtue, truth and grace,
These are the robes of richest dress.

6 No more shall worms with me compare;
This is the raiment angels wear;
The Son of God, when here below,
Put on this blest apparel too.

7 It never fades, it ne'er grows old,
Nor fears the rain, nor moth, nor mould;
It takes no spot, but still refines;
The more 'tis worn, the more it shines.

8 In this on earth would I appear,

Then go to heav'n and wear it there:
God will approve it in his sight;
'Tis his own work, and his delight.

1 LET children that would fear the Lord, Hear what their teachers say;

With rev'rence meet their parents' word,
And with delight obey.

2 Have you not heard what dreadful plagues
Are threaten'd by the Lord,
To him that breaks his father's law,
Or mocks his mother's word?

3 What heavy guilt upon him lies!
How cursed is his name!
The ravens shall pick out his eyes,
And eagles eat the same.

4 But those that worship God, and give
Their parents honour due,

Here on this earth they long shall live,
And live hereafter too.