in the work of avarice; but the poor rich man in St. Luke (whose case was not like this) I could pity, methinks, if the Scripture would permit me; for he seems to have been satisfied at last, he confesses he had enough for many years, he bids his soul take its ease; and yet, for all that, God says to him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; and the things thou hast laid up, who shall they belong to? Where shall we find the causes of this bitter reproach and terrible judgment? We may find, I think, two; and God, perhaps, saw more. First, that he did not intend true rest to his soul, but only to change the employments of it from avarice to luxury; his design is, to eat and to drink, and to be merry. Secondly, that he went on too long before he thought of resting; the fulness of his old barns had not sufficed him, he would stay till he was forced to build new ones; and God meted out to him in the same measure; since he would have more riches than his life could contain, God destroyed his life, and gave the fruits of it to another. Thus God takes away sometimes the man from his riches, and no less frequently riches from the man : what hope can there be of such a marriage, where both parties are so fickle and uncertain? by what bonds can such a couple be kept long together? 1. Why dost thou heap up wealth, which thou must quit, Why dost thou load thyself, when thou'rt to fly, 2. Why dost thou build up stately rooms on high, Thou sow'st and plantest, but no fruit must see, 3. Suppose, thou fortune could'st to tameness bring, Suppose, thou could'st on fate so far prevail, 4. Yet death at all that subtilty will laugh, Death will that foolish gard'ner mock, Who does a slight and annual plant engraff, Upon a lasting stock. 5. Thou dost thyself wise and industrious deem; 6. Officious fool! that needs must meddling be In business, that concerns not thee! For when to future years thou' extend'st thy cares, Thou deal'st in other men's affairs. 7. Even aged men, as if they truly were Provisions for long travel they design, 8. Wisely the ant against poor winter hoards The stock, which summer's wealth affords : In grasshoppers, that must at autumn die, How vain were such an industry! Of 9. power and honour the deceitful light Might half excuse our cheated sight, If it of life the whole small time would stay, And be our sun-shine all the day; 10. Like lightning, that, begot but in a cloud, (Though shining bright, and speaking loud) Whilst it begins, concludes its violent race, And where it gilds, it wounds the place. 11. Oh, scene of fortune, which dost fair appear, Proud poverty, that tinsel bravery wears! 12. Be prudent, and the shore in prospect keep, In a weak boat trust not the deep. Plac'd beneath envy, above envying rise; Pity great men, great things despise. 13. The wise example of the heavenly lark, Above the clouds, let thy proud music sound, X. THE DANGER OF PROCRASTINATION. A LETTER TO MR. S. L. I AM glad that you approve and applaud my design, of withdrawing myself from all tumult and business of the world; and consecrating the little rest of my time to those studies, to which nature had so motherly inclined me, and from which fortune, like a stepmother, has so long detained me. But nevertheless (you say, which, but, is " ærugo mera," a rust which spoils the good metal it grows upon. But you say) you would advise me not to precipitate that resolution, but to stay a while longer with patience and complaisance, till I had gotten such an estate as might afford me (according to the saying of that person, whom you and I love very much, and would believe as soon as another man) cum dignitate otium." This were excellent advice to Joshua, who could bid the sun stay too. But there is no fooling with life, when it is once turned beyond forty. The |