James Parkerson

“ Views and admires, then chat in lively strain;
Of natures produce till his business call
Him from such pleasing sights to pace the hall;
Soon as he sees his merchant at his stand,
He shows the produce of his fertile land;
I’ll give you such a price the merchant say,
A higher bidder you’ll not find this day.
p. 8But ere the farmer quits the hill he view,
All other stock to find out something new;
A thought then strikes him as the season’s fine,
I’ll buy a few score sheep before I dine;
Into the pens he hies, the bargain struck,
The jobber takes his cash, wish him good luck. ”

“ Meekness thro’ life had marked her for her care,
While resignation claim’d her for her own;
Sometimes her mind wou’d cheerful still appear,
And strive to stifle pain’s afflicting groan.
Oh God! she cried, thy mercy let me crave,
Till life’s short span is taken quite away ”

“ A bad acquaintance hurries on a crime;
Sometimes an artful female tries her power,
To trap the giddy in a thoughtless hour;
When she has work’d the captive to her will,
She gladly sees you taking sorrow’s pill;
Cause you to leave a virtuous homely wife,
And lead a sad disgraceful wicked life;
Allur’d by art she’ll bring you to distress,
And like a Millwood to you falsely press;
Then be the first your actions to betray,
A fiend like such caused me to go astray
p. 15From them I love, from those my heart hold dear,
And shall till death their memories revere ”

“ I wish I could my oats and horse beans sell;
Straight to his merchant ’gain the farmer hop,
Fearful next market day all things will drop;
The cautious merchant on his skill rely,
And thinks Mark-Lane will have a small supply ”

“ Well may Brittons mourn, for tho’ in high station,
To enliven fair Commerce was always her care,
Her loss will be felt a long time by the Nation;
And sincere is the tear that is shed o’er her Bier.
Her donations were such as noted the sorrow,
She felt for the poor that were heard in distress;
And used for to say, I’ll assist them to morrow,
And try all my aid many cares to make less.
To England she’s left an example for others,
Which I hope will be copied till time is no more;
May all foreign nations, regard us as brothers,
And a free commerce gladden old Albion’s Shore. ”

“ Will all the arts of man descry:
Admit you didn’t your game obtain,
Did you from wicked thoughts abstain?
While ranging o’er the shady grove,
Doubtless you thought of nought but love;
p. 22The prying eye of searching man,
Foil’d in its bud your artful plan.
The education of this age,
Makes fit the wanton to engage;
On lavities unblushing plan,
With many a vile unthinking man.
Wealth may a short time foibles blind,
But, does it ease the guilty mind? ”

“ It’s thro’ our Saviour’s aid that we should crave,
A gracious pardon ere we meet the grave;
His intercession with the King of Kings,
Alone can save you from eternal stings.
When at the court, for trial you appear,
Speak nought but truth, you better for it fare;
For should you dare to introduce a lie,
Justice’s sharp eye each falsehood will descry:
I’ve known a perjur’d witness brought to swear,
The guilty felon, of his crime is clear:
Dismay’d, confus’d, he feels alas! too late,
Such impious conduct greatly aggravate ”

“ I will thro’ life, a better course pursue,
Tho’ far away still leave my heart with you.
p. 17ADVICE, &c. Vile man, abstain from every artful plan,
When found out disgrace the name of man;
Let those who steal, repent and sin no more,
Ere Law decrees, it’s vengeance on them pour;
From trifling things, we greater ills pursue,
Till the Law’s fangs are brought within our view ”

“ Transcribed from the early 1800’s edition by David Price, email [email protected]. Many thanks to Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, UK, for kindly supplying the images from which this transcription was made.
CHARACTERS FROM
LIFE; or,
MORAL HINTS.
in verse.
Viz.
By J. PARKERSON, Jun.
Walker, Printer, near the Duke’s Palace.
p. 3ADMONITIONS
to the
DISSIPATED.
Excess to mankind oft’times brings,
Remorse with all its bitter stings;
When cares oppress us in this life.
At times we drink to banish strife ”