Anger

As whirlwinds in their rapid course are found To root up forests, and spread mischief round; As earthquakes — states and kingdoms overthrown— By their convulsions make all nature groan: So anger, leaping reason's sacred mound, Mischief, with mischief coupled, spreads around; Destruction all abroad promiscuous throws; And far and wide dispenses woes on woes: Unnumbred ills await it's deadly hand, And scatter terror thrô th' affrightned land.

These are the dire effects of royal rage; And these reproach most christian LEWIS' age: These mark the annals of the STEWART-RACE; Eclipse their glory; and their reign disgrace: Whilst GEORGE & FRED'RICK—in close union join'd To scourge the lawless tyrants of mankind — Unsway'd by passion, rule by reason's laws; And gain from all th' admiring world applause.

When anger rages in an humbler Sphere, Th' effects, thô similar, are less severe: In ev'ry sphere, unheeding reason's ray, It rushes on, impatient of delay: In ev'ry sphere all happiness confounds; Friendship destroys; and social virtue wounds.

The man, with rage inspir'd, is truly blind; Before — how bright soe'cr his reason shin'd: Toss'd like the Sea, while boist'rous are its waves, With equal rage, by passion toss'd, he raves: As on the Sea, on passion's billows toss'd, He quits the helm of reason, and is lost.

While yet thy reason unimpair'd remains; Ere passion's furious hand has seiz'd the reins; By others madness warn'd, restrain thy own; Nor drive bless'd reason from her native throne; Compel her not to quit the sov'reign sway, And to her mortal foe to yeild the day.

When rising passion makes the blood grow warm, And indicates a quick-approaching storm: When passion risen, with tempestuous force, Would bear down all things in it's rapid course: Then — then call reason to your instant aid; And let her voice be instantly obey'd: Then — then — in that important moment — shew That reason can thy passion's rage subdue; That reason can the wild excess control, And to a calm reduce the boist'rous soul.

Your passion to subdue, if hard you find; And if to wrath your nature be inclin'd: Prevent it; all temptations to it, fly; And ev'ry way t' elude it's efforts try: Prevent it; and you'll shew a strength of mind, Rais'd far above the level of mankind: You'll shew, that wisdom is your friendly guide; And o'er your conduct, that her laws preside. A fool with fools is quickly in a rage, And in hot broils for trifles will engage: His rage and folly keep an equal pace, Reproach his nature and his form disgrace: While wisdom's sons will kindly condescend To pardon those who unawares offend: When passion moves, will bid it not to rage; And by example teach each sex and age: Their passion mov'd, it moves by wisdom's laws; And far from censure, gains deserv'd applause.

The man of gen'rous principles possess'd, Whose nature's frailties touch his conscious breast, If tears, that mark a true repentance flow; And all the signs of reformation show; Will ready pardon to offenders bring, And hide their faults with love's befriending wing.

Indulge not wrath; when angry, quickly cool; And let right reason all thy passions rule: Anger but whets a sword to wound thy breast; To slay thy friend; and all thy joys molest.

By rules of moderation always sway'd, To no rash act by anger be betray'd: Let no rash act from sudden passion spring, To hurt thy credit, or thy conscience sting: Nothing attempt while passion swells thy breast, And makes it's rage to all around confest: Passion drives reason from th' imperial chair, And does it's subjects noblest pow'rs impair; Unfits him for the action of the day, And does his soul to num'rous ills betray.

Let not revenge find shelter in thy breast, And with a home-felt pain thy soul infest: 'Twill wound thy heart; allay it's sprightliest joy; And all thy peace, if e'er indulg'd, destroy: Thy virtue and it's best productions soil, And on thyself in all it's rage recoil. Forgive when wrong'd; and ne'er the wrong return Nor in thy heart let rage and malice burn: Who seeks for vengeance with a watchful eye, In wait against himself does truly lie; On his own head, by folly circled round, He draws down ills that all his joys confound.

As water cast on fire abates it's force, And in a moment checks it's rapid course: So gentle words, when anger swells to rage, Can check it's progress, and it's heat asswage: By gentle words appease a wrathful breast; And from a frenzy sooth it down to rest: By gentle words the growing rage impede; And make a calm to passion's storm succeed. The man, whose anger you can thus asswage, And thus appease when in it's fullest rage, No more shall view thee with a vengeful eye; Nor more his friendship and esteem deny: Won by thy goodness, he'll to reason bend; And from a foe become your hearty friend.

Look round with care, and view the present state; Unbias'd by the conduct of the great: Look round with care; and but few things you'll find, That justly claim solicitude of mind: Few things—above the mean thy soul to raise; Or make it with the rage of passion blaze. Suppress my passion in it's earliest stage; And all thy pow'rs to check it's force engage: O'er reason let it ne'er victorious ride; Nor bear thee headlong down it's rapid tide: It springs from folly, or from weakness springs; And ample matter for repentance brings: With shame 'tis coupled, to disgrace is join'd; And with remorse insep'rably combin'd.