Hymns for the Amusement of Children (1791)/Praise
HYMN XVII.
PRAISE.
Tho' conscience void of all offence,[1]
Is man's divinest praise,
A godly heart-felt innocence,
Which does at first by grace commence,
5 By supplication stays:
Yet I do love my brother's laud,
In each attempt to please;
O may he frequently applaud,
"Good child, thou soon shalt go abroad,
10 "Or have such things as these. —
"This silver coin'd by sweet queen Anne,
"This nose-gay and these toys,
"Thou this gilt Testament shalt scan,
"This pictur'd Hymn-book on a plan,
15 "To make good girls and boys."
O may they give, before I ask,
Suggest before desire,
While in the summer-house I bask,
The little lab'rer at his task,
20 Is worthy of his hire.[2]
Notes
- ↑ 1. See "Acts 24:16: "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
- ↑ 19—20. See Luke 10:7: "And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire."
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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