The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Man! know thyself.
Young,
Ah! why the complaints of poor mortals so
grievous?
Is peace and content to our nature deny'd?
Th' effect of disquiet is always mischievous.
When founded in selfishness, envy or pride.
Scarce one, with another will change his condition,
Yet others success will his envy excite,
Condemning in them as the fruits of ambition,
The measures himself will pursue with delight.
The farmer complains that the merchant undoes him,
Because of the profit he makes in his trade.
The merchant affirms that the people misuse him,
His goods having trusted the payment's delay'd.
The tradesman cries out of the farmer's injustice:
Because of the price he must pay for his Bread:
While he in return will exclaim that the worst is,
The tradesman too cheap by the farmer is fed.
The poor man accuses the rich of oppression,
By taking advantage t'increase his estate:
While indolence, sloth, and the want of discretion
Is charg'd on the poor by the wealthy and great.
Say some, execution of justice is wanting:
And others, the laws in themselves are unjust:
While answer'd forbear your unmannerly canting,
The people who know not the law are accurs'd.
With regard to the priests. the blind world is divided
Some boldly reproaching his labor and pains,
His person and office are basely derided;
He's call'd but a hireling, at work for the gains:
While others hang on him without reservation,
Expecting a ride through the regions of air;
They nobly support him, without hesitation.
And leave the concerns of their souls to his care.
But as for the lawyers most men are united,
(altho they profess to be eyes to the blind;)
In discord and mischief they're chiefly delighted.
Their fortunes to raise on the wrecks of mankind.
But strange to relate it! the class of physicians,
(Tho' men of experience, learning and skill)
Will pass by the people of other conditions.
To snarl at each other. their practice to spoil.
Thus round goes the murmur, mankind all
complaining!
All bearing, all acting a part in the scene;
Each one for himself his fond notions maintaining.
But censure his neighbours as crafty or mean.
But, is it becoming a rational creature
To repine, and his passions forbear to control,
Because the beneficent author of nature,
Has suited the parts to the good of the whole:
To a state of dependence, all things are subjected,
No one for himself can be solely design'd:
Each globe, and each atom stand closely connected
Within the bright circle of order confin'd,
Since then, the grand plan is in wisdom directed,
Let self, pride, and envy be nobly suppress'd.
Since virtue and truth shall be amply protected,
Act wisely thy part, and to Fate leave the rest.