. The English dance of death, from the designs of Thomas Rowlandson;. H DANCE OF DEATH 223 While een from female lips proceed, The threat of many a bloody deed. 1 Thus Virtues drownd and Health destroyd, For the vile habits seldom cloyd. Are then our Legislators loth To curb the ills that ruin both; 1 Or wherefore do we daily meet 1 Such scenes as these in evry street ? 1 Do they then tempt the poor to pay Their health and virtue to defray { The Nations wants, and urge the Still, * The ravnous Taxmans book to fill. 1 If they protect such baneful evil, 1 Nought will protect them from the Devil.
. The English dance of death, from the designs of Thomas Rowlandson;. H DANCE OF DEATH 223 While een from female lips proceed, The threat of many a bloody deed. 1 Thus Virtues drownd and Health destroyd, For the vile habits seldom cloyd. Are then our Legislators loth To curb the ills that ruin both; 1 Or wherefore do we daily meet 1 Such scenes as these in evry street ? 1 Do they then tempt the poor to pay Their health and virtue to defray { The Nations wants, and urge the Still, * The ravnous Taxmans book to fill. 1 If they protect such baneful evil, 1 Nought will protect them from the Devil. The Preacher thus his thoughts displaydThe Congregation groaned and prayd :And some few thought it not a sin,To go and toast his health—in Gin. —How oft the sons of riot findPleasure the poison of the mind:In Life, by Fire and Famine, lessSink to their Graves, than by excess. 224 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH Tis Temperance gives the richest wealth;Contentment, Peace, and lasting Health:Tis Temperance that forms the sage:Is youths best Guardian, and the Friend ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 225 THE GAMING TABLE If it were questioned of the Sage,Whose reasning mind, to hoary age,Has with a keen and curious ken,Examind well the ways of men,What is most likely to impartThe worst of Frailties to the heart,—He would not hesitate to say, 1 It is the excessive love of play : r That Gamesters are but birds of prey; JWho, like the vultures, as they flyThrough the calm region of the sky,Look down with a rapacious joy,Eager to seize and to destroy.—Gaming, at first, a pleasure made,Becomes, at length, a ravnous Trade. When the hand shakes the treachrous dice,The hearts the seat of evry vice,The most abhorrent from the planThat Virtue has markd out for 1.—p 226 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH In that fell moment Friendship dies, jLove, startled, from the bosom flies,And Nature—Natures self belies :— JNay, does not the fierce Lust proceedTo consecrate the blackest deed.—Bacon, tha
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