The Scripture was his jest-book, whence he drew Bon mots to gall the Christian and the Jew; An infidel in health, but what when sick? O-then a text would touch him at the quick; Surrounding throngs the demigod revere; And fum'd with frankincense on ev'ry side, Yon cottager, who weaves at her own door, She, for her humble sphere by nature fit, Has little understanding, and no wit, 311 321 Receives no praise; but, though her lot be such, (Toilsome and indigent) she renders much; Just knows, and knows no more, her Bible true A truth the brilliant Frenchman never knew; And in that charter reads with sparkling eyes O happy peasant! O unhappy bard! Not many wise, rich, noble, or profound In science, win one inch of heav'nly ground. 330 The poor should gain it, and the rich should not? No-the voluptuaries, who ne'er forget One pleasure lost, lose Heav'n without regret; 341 Regret would rouse them, and give birth to pray'r, Pray'r would add faith, and faith would fix them there. YON COTTAGER, WHO WEAVES AT HER OWN DOOR, Vol.I. LONDON, PUBLISHED JUNE 1.1810, BY JOHN SHARPE,PICCADILY Not that the Former of us all in this, Or aught he does, is govern'd by caprice: 351 No slaves on earth more welcome were than they: But royalty, nobility, and state, Are such a dead preponderating weight, That endless bliss (how strange soe'er it seem) And cavil at with ease, but none refute. O bless'd effect of penury and want, The seed sown there, how vig'rous is the plant! No soil like poverty for growth divine, As leanest land supplies the richest wine, 360 |