SATAN'S DECOY.
Ye vicious youths a while I pray draw near,
A pious pattern I have for you here,
If you will but observe what I have penn'd,
You'll gain a crown of glory in the end.
’Tis of a youth eleven years of age,
A merchant's Son of Bristol, as 'tis said,
Who in his learning did take great delight,
And made it all his study day and night.
He was a comfort to his parents dear,
Who brought him the Lord of life to fear,
A youth he was so comely meek and mild,
His parents they were blest with such a child.
As he to school one morning took his way,
Over a field, where flowers grew so gay,
All of a sudden he a man did meet,
Dress'd all in black who did him kindly greet.
He said, my loving youth, where now so soon,
The child said, sir, I'm going straight to school,
To fit myself my maker for to serve,
