Moderation In Diet

The drunkard's sin, excess in wine, Which reason drowns, and health destroys, As yet no failing is of thine, Dear Jim; strong drink's not given to boys.

You from the cool fresh steam allay Those thirsts which sultry suns excite; When choak'd with dust, or hot with play, A cup of water yields delight.

And reverence still that temperate cup, And cherish long the blameless taste; To learn the faults of men grown up, Dear Jim, be wise and do not haste.

They'll come too soon.--But there's a vice, That shares the world's contempt no less; To be in eating over-nice, Or to court surfeits by excess.

The first, as finical, avoid; The last is proper to a swine: By temperance meat is best enjoy'd; Think of this maxim when you dine.

Prefer with plain food to be fed, Rather than what are dainties styl'd; A sweet tooth in an infant's head Is pardon'd, not in a grown child.

If parent, aunt, or liberal friend, With splendid shilling line your purse, Do not the same on sweetmeats spend, Nor appetite with pampering nurse.

Go buy a book; a dainty eaten Is vanish'd, and no sweets remain; They who their minds with knowledge sweeten, The savour long as life retain.

Purchase some toy, a horse of wood, A pasteboard ship; their structure scan; Their mimic uses understood, The school-boy make a kind of man.

Go see some show; pictures or prints; Or beasts far brought from Indian land; Those foreign sights oft furnish hints, That may the youthful mind expand.

And something of your store impart, To feed the poor and hungry soul; What buys for you the needless tart, May purchase him a needful roll.