Classic Poem

View not with Envy fretting in thy rest
The Impious Man, of Wealth and Power possest;
Let no rash Thoughts perplex thy even Mind,
When proud Oppressors lord it o'er Mankind.
Wait but the Ev'ning of their fleeting Day,
And all this boasted Pomp shall pass away.
So to the sweeping Scythe at once must yield
All the gay Verdure of the smiling Field:
So the short Moments of the self-same Hour
Behold the blooming and the faded Flow'd
Only do Thou Religion's Rules pursue
And keep thy Duty ever in thy View;
Let all thy Life in this just Tenor move
And all Occasions to do Good improve.
Then with full Trust on God securely rest,
Assur'd that whatsoe'er befalls, is best.
For all thy Needs His Goodness shall provide,
His Pow'r shall guard thee, and His Wisdom guide.
If pois'nous Tongues thy upright Deeds defame,
And foul-mouth'd Slander fasten on thy Name,
Yet still be calm, and He shall soon expose
The vain, the baffled Malice of thy Foes;
Shall clear thy Cause, thy Virtue shall display,
Bright as the Sun, and open as the Day.
When Storms of State aloft impetuous roar,
And mighty Villains fall, and are no more,
Still safe and happy is the Good Man seen,
His Aspect chearful, and his Mind serene.
Though no huge Heaps of ill-got Riches rise,
To sooth his Pride, and feed his rav'nous Eyes;
Yet Thrift and Industry increase his Store,
And sweet Content forbids him to be poor.
Heav'n's gracious Bounty, freely as it flows,
Freely again his lib'ral Hand bestows;
And timely Aid and Kindness to impart,
Employs his Labour, and delights his Heart.
Well pleas'd the Fruits of his good Works he sees,
With God, with Man, and with himself at Peace;
The choicest Gifts of Providence he shares,
And leaves a thousand Blessings to his Heirs.