Praise

Tho' conscience void of all offence, Is man's divinest praise, A godly heart-felt innocence, Which does at first by grace commence, By supplication stays:

Yet I do love my brother's laud, In each attempt to please; O may he frequently applaud, "Good child, thou soon shalt go abroad, "Or have such things as these. —

"This silver coin'd by sweet queen Anne, "This nose-gay and these toys, "Thou this gilt Testament shalt scan, "This pictur'd Hymn-book on a plan, "To make good girls and boys."

O may they give, before I ask, Suggest before desire, While in the summer-house I bask, The little lab'rer at his task, Is worthy of his hire.