James Parkerson

“ I’ll prove protector, guardian, and a friend.
The converse delicate, the smile sincere,
Will check the sigh, and stop the rising tear;
Cheerful as formerly we’ll pass our life,
A happy husband I, and you the wife.
Kitton, Printer, Norwich. ”

“ She e’er a faithful, virtuous wife did prove.
Was she too gay in dress to please your mind,
That you to her so long have been unkind?
Did she too much in company appear?
She scarcely did that twice or thrice a year.
I’m told you say her manners were too high:
’Twas you who view’d her with a scornful eye;
And that because she’d little store of wealth,
Which still was lessen’d to improve her health.
p. 9Say, should the want of wealth produce such strife,
When virtue only guided her through life? ”

“ But should a change of fortune e’er take place,
Their friendship’s gone, and they’ll e’en shun your face:
So long as you a guinea free can spend,
Talk nonsense, and drink hard, you’ll be a friend:
They’ll say you’re clever, generous, and wise;
But, if you’re poor, the same will you despise.
Creatures like such too many have I found,
And sorry am so many still abound.
p. 10Fathers, like other men, will change with times,
And, when it nothing costs, will wink at crimes ”