Classic Poem

To Astley's and Hughes's
I never will go;
There's no Pleasure for me,
I very well know.

No Music that's there
Ee'r my Ear can delight;
Their Actions, like Phantoms,
Delude thus the sight.

Amusements in London,
Like Shadows soon fly;
These can ne'er ease the Heart,
Tho' they charm oft the Eye.

If not like to Shadows,
What's worse, they prove Darts,
That wound oft the Conscience,
And poison young Hearts.

Instead of false Pleasures,
Improve then, your Minds;
Think, how fast fly your lives,
And how precious is time!

Phelander in London,
Of late took his way;
He arrived at his Friend's,
And a few Days did stay.

Amusements in Fashion,
He earnestly sought;
But Phelander grew sad,
Appeared full of Thought.

Sure those Tears in his Eyes
Shew his Heart is in pain;
For his time was mispent,
Which cannot regain.

Ye vot'ries of Pleasure,
Forgive me I pray;
You must answer lost time
Spent in seeing a Play.

That feeds not your Bodies,
Improves not your Mind;
No comfort from these
On a Death-bed you'll find.

You'll give me the Vapours,
Some Readers may cry;
Forgive me, dear Reader, —
You know you must die.

And Death will most surely
Arrive at Life's end;
Be careful you meet him
Like to a kind Friend.

The kind Friend of sinners,
Did not shun pale Death;
And thus the Testator
A Testament left.

Observe then his Will, —
That you read, and you pray;
But he nev'r commands you
To go to a Play.

No comfort in dying;
If Christ is away:
Tho' you be at Astley's,
Or seeing a Play.

Oh! think how unwelcome
Must Death be to Reay!
You, know that he met her
Just come from the Play.

Death can shoot as fatal
As Hackman did Reay;
Tho' you be at Astley's,
Or seeing a Play.

When Death does come for you,
Then you must away;
Know that he's a Tyrant,
And for you'll not stray.

He stay'd not for Virgins
When Oil they'd to buy;
But the Door was close shut,
And in vain was their cry.

Oh! pray for sweeToil, then,
To set your Hearts right;
If the Bridegroom should come
Tho' 'tis late in the Night,

Have your Lamps, then, fresh trimm'd
With Jesus away:
Leave Follies of Astley's,
And seeing a Play.