Classic Poem

Much adicted to Gaming .

Still you persist, unthinking Youth,
In spite of daily, painful Truth ;
Why suffer all my friendly Care
To vanish into fleeting Air?
Let Reason but assume her Reign,
You'll quickly be yourself again;
And loath (with me) such vile Employ,
Destructive, Foe to ev'ry Joy;
'Tis Madness all — avaunt the Plea
Of rooted Custom , that with M E
Weighs nothing; 'tis an idle dream,
And Reason knows not what you mean:
Judge by Effects, they best declare,
How ill the Cause; desist, forbear —
By me your Children, prudent Wife ,
(Made wretched by your thoughtless Life )
Implore, beseech your giving Ear;
By these (if yet they're held most dear)
Consider, then, retreat in Time,
Let me prevail in honest Rhyme; —
Think how unjust, what foul Disgrace,
To bring Distress upon your Race:
Posterity must dearly rue
Their abject State entail'd by You .
Reflect in Time, nor rashly slight
Advice, which well you know is right.