"That all things-be they grief or joy,— "Whether they please us or annoy,

"Shall blessings sure and lasting prove

"To them who their Creator love!"

THE STRATAGEM,

AND OTHER POEMS.

THE STRATAGEM.

"AVOID the world!" the preacher cries,

"Concealed in it destruction lies;

"It is a wicked world replete

"With folly, falsehood, guilt, deceit."

"Frequent the world!" the worldly wise

Prompt on the contrary replies,

"Frequent the world!-it is a college,
Replete with necessary knowledge."
A paradox you'll think it quite,
If 'tis asserted both are right;
Yet true it is, without some skill
In worldly things, in worldly ill,
We may each moment of our life,
Expect vexation, plague, or strife;

And be involved in wiliest snares,
Which craft for ignorance prepares.
And plain the following fact must show,
We need at least the world to know.

Yet can we ne'er this skill acquire,

If from the world we quite retire.
Then let us wisely not refuse,

The advice combined of both to use.—
Frequent the world, its ways to see,
Its customs, manners, subtilty;
But ever, without hesitation,

Avoid a guilty imitation.

PART 1.

One Bunning dwelt in London town,
And was by trade a draper,

And of that sect which ne'er is known,

In ball to cut a caper.