Profanity

A Sailor of the name of Park Gave Nurse a Parrot gay; I think I heard the Man remark It came from Paraguay.

How strange a Sight in distant Lands, Where Wonders meet the Eye, To see the Works of Nature’s Hands From ev’ry Tree-top fly.

But Oh! with Shame and Sorrow both, I scarce can lisp the Tale, Its brutal Jest and hideous Oath My infant Cheek turn’d pale.

Alas! when all is bright and fair That Wickedness should lurk, Those sinful Words that filled the Air Were Man’s ignoble work.

Nurse screamed aloud, the Sailor ran, The Bird spoke yet more plain; Oh! how I hope the shameless Man Will not come back again.

How very careful we should be ’Mong those alone to move Who shunning, fly Profanity, And who our Hearts approve.