Though I'm now in younger days

Representative Text

Though I’m now in younger days,
Nor can tell what shall befall me,
I’ll prepare for every place
Where my growing age shall call me.

Should I e’er be rich or great,
Others shall partake my goodness:
I’ll supply the poor with meat,
Never showing scorn or rudeness.

106
Where I see the blind or lame,
Deaf or dumb, I’ll kindly treat them:
I deserve to feel the same,
I I mock, or hurt, or cheat them.

If I meet with railing tongues,
Why should I return them railing,
Since I best revenge my wrongs
By my patience never failing?

When I hear them telling lies,
Talking foolish, cursing, swearing,
First I’ll try to make them wise,
Or I’ll soon go out of hearing.

107
What though I be low or mean,
I’ll engage the rich to love me,
While I’m modest, neat, and clean,
And submit when they reprove me.

If I should be poor and sick,
I shall meet, I hope, with pity;
Since I love to help the weak,
Though they’re neither fair nor witty.

108
I’ll not willingly offend,
Nor be easily offended:
What’s amiss I’ll strive to mend,
And endure what can’t be mended.

May I be so watchful still
O’er my humours and my passion,
As to speak and do no ill,
Though it should be all the fashion.

Wicked fashions lead to hell;
Ne’er may I be found complying;
But in life behave so well,
Not to be afraid of dying.

Source: Divine and Moral Songs: attempted in easy language for the use of children with some additional composures #SVI

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Author: Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >

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