# Poetical pieces on various subjects/Introduction to, and a Paraphrase on Proverbs

An Introduction to a Paraphrase on Proverbs VII.
I
Whate'er is ill beneath the Sun, Man ought with care the same to shun; Our souls are of infinite price; Yet lost they are if slaves to vice
II.
To let our passions o'er us sway, Would make us wretched in our day; The bitter sweets of vice's cup, Would swallow every comfort up.
III
Vice thus proclaims both wide and far, Come taste my pleasures, here they are; But when her wiles do most invite, We most should dread the Serpent's bite
IV
For Serpent like, Sin hath a sting, Which does distress and trouble bring; The venom that it does impart, Dries up the vitals of the heart.
V
Tho' sense may say, I long to taste The delicates at vice's feast, We must beware, or read our fate, The Hook's conceal'd beneath the Bait.
VI
Were sin appearing to our view, In her own robes of blackest hue, The mind would fill with such a dread, We scarce could do a wicked deed
VII
But, ah! she comes in-deep disguise, And takes her victims by surprise; In proof of this I forward bring, What's mention'd by a famous King.
PROVERBS, VII.
I
My son, to thee I now do cry, let soft persuasion draw: Like to the apple of thine eye, keep my commands and law
II
Let them be round thy fingers girt, observe them well with care; And on the tablet of thine heart imprint them deeply there
III
Drink thou at wisdom's pleasant brook; her as a sister view; On understanding daily look, as kinswoman to you.
IV
That they may safely thee inclose, from women that are strange; And from the flatt'ring words of those that would thy manners change.
V
For at the window of my bower, I thro' my casement saw A youth, sway'd by a sensual power, regardless of the law
VI
This simple, weak, and heedless one, his passions did induce, With hasty steps to pass alone, near to the harlot's house
VII
In the twilight, at evening hour, deplorable the sight! He mov'd towards the dreary bower; 'Twas black, and dark the night.
VIII
A woman there did meet the youth, In fam'd robes of attire; With subtile heart and shameless mouth, and full of lew'd desire.
IX
Of a lew'd tongue she is possest, being perverse in her way; She in her house dees seldom rest, but loves abroad to stray
X
And now she is without to meet the youths, them to entice; In every corner of the street, to catch her prey she lies
XI
So she him caught, and kissed there, and with impudent face, (Well to secure him in her snare) she thus did him address:
XII
I have peace-offerings with me, My vows this day I paid, Now all is well, my mind is free; sweet youth be not afraid
XIII
Forth I did come, with pleasure great, Altho' the night was drear, To seek thy face, thee to entreat; I'm glad to find thee here.
XIV
I decked have my bed for thee, with tap'stry cov'rings fine, With Egypt's linen fair to see, whereon we may recline
XV
I also have perfum'd the same, with cinnamon right sweet, With myrrh, and aloes of great fame, our joys more to compleat.
XVI
Come rest within my artful grove, till morning light appear; Let us solace ourselves with love, and all our senses cheer
XVII
For the goodman (I'm glad to say) from home does now sojourn; And far, far distant is the day, appointed far return
XVIII
A bag of money he did take, and he a day did fix; Until the time of which he spake, his presence cannot vex
XIX
With her fair speech she him beguiles ; he yielded to her there: With flatt'ring lips, and harlot smiles she forc'd him in her snare
XX
He like an ox to slaughter walks; Her wiles him onward drave. He like a fool went to the stocks, correction to receive
XXI
He like a weak, and silly bird, did hasten to the snare; That he with sense might bed and board; unmindful death was there
XXII
But while vice does her bliss impart unto the simple one; Quick thro' his liver strikes a dart, then all his pleasure's gone.
XXIII
O children young do not defer, attend unto the word; Let not your hearts incline to her That leads you from the Lord
XXIV
Go not astray; her path still shun; keep wisdom in your view; For numbers great she hath cast down, and wounded many too
XXV
Not only foolish, weak, and young, by her do scars sustain, But men of wisdom; yea the strong by her oft have been slain
XXVI
Her house is the straight way to woe, the guests that with her dwell, Down by death's chambers fast they go, and find their way to hell.