“Before Experience, Ostentation trust? “What is your Hazard, foolish Daughters, tell? “If safe, you’re certain; if secure, you’re well: “That I have Luck must Friend and Foe confess, “And what’s good Judgement but a lucky Guess? “_He_ boasts but what he _can_ do:--will you run “From me, your Friend! who all _he_ boasts, _have_ done? “By proud and learned Words his Powers are known; “By healthy Boys and handsome Girls my own: “Wives! Fathers! Children!, by my Help, you live; “Has this pale Doctor more than Life to give? “No stunted Cripple hops, the Village round; “Your Hands are active and your Heads are sound; “My Lads are all your Fields and Flocks require; “My Lasses all those sturdy Lads admire: “Can this proud Leech, with all his boasted Skill, “Amend the Soul or Body, Wit or Will? “Does he, for Courts the Sons of Farmers frame, “Or make the Daughter differ from the Dame? “Or, whom he brings into this World of Woe, “Prepares he them their Part to undergo? “If not, this Stranger from your Doors repel, “And be content to _be_ and to be _well_.” She spake: but, ah! with Words too strong and plain; Her Warmth offended and her Truth was vain. The _many_ left her and the friendly _few_, If never colder, yet they older grew; Till, unemploy’d, she felt her Spirits droop, And took, insidious Aid!, th’ inspiring Cup; Grew poor and peevish as her Powers decay’d, And propp’d the tottering Frame with stronger Aid,-- Then died!--I saw our careful Swains convey, From this our changeful World the Matron’s Clay, Who to this World, at least, with equal Care, Brought them its Changes, Good and Ill to share.