The Emigrant Mechanic and Other Tales In Verse | Page 7

it is to make our laws,?Lend your strong influence to aid this cause;?See that your hands are clean--or make them so--?You've much to answer for, of weal or woe.?Young COOPER'S parents did on him impress?The way to gain domestic happiness:?More by example than by precepts strong?They their dear children sought to lead along?Their constant conduct to each other told?What they preferred before the richest gold.?And one who knows them well can testify?That they themselves would evermore deny,?Ere they would risk their own or family's peace,?As some have done, who scarce from jarring cease.?In such a family, as we might expect,?True discipline met not with long neglect.?And this, employed aright, the Lord will bless,?In spite of childhood's frequent waywardness.
Trained in this manner, WILLIAM soon arrived?Just to the time when means should he contrived?To get for him at once a proper trade,?And he to this not one objection made.?It was his choice that he might he employed?In marble works, and had the thought enjoyed?That some good master would his service need;?But disappointment was for him decreed.?Some other places then the father tried,?But all with boys appeared to be supplied.?The youth more anxious grew from day to day,?Nor could well brook what seemed such sad delay.?He oft retired at night unto his bed,?With various plans contrived in his young head;?But vanished soon were all these well-formed schemes,?As though they were so many empty dreams;?Until, by "hope deferred," he was made sad,?And even home scenes failed to make him glad.?He now had nearly reached his thirteenth year,?And did a small, weak youth, indeed, appear;?Yet though so very young and small, this boy?Had felt deep sorrow, and no little joy.
Good news at last he heard, with much delight,?When his dear father came from work one night;?He said a tradesman an apprentice wanted,?And told what wages would to him be granted.?WILLIAM at once accepted of the place,?And met the man next morn with smiling face.?'Twas soon agreed that he a month should try?The work, and his new master satisfy.?This soon flew past, and he was strongly bound?Till seven long years should, in their course, move round.
To mention all his trials and mishaps?Would please no reader of this tale, perhaps;?Suffice to say, he did himself exert?In his new business, and was soon expert?In making up their wares of shining metal--?A teapot, can, or otherwise a kettle.?Let none despise him for his occupation,?For God has stamped it with His approbation.?'Tis therefore lawful, and should always be?Approved of men, though e'en of high degree.?God's holy book commands that saints engage?In honest callings, throughout every age;?That they may lead a just and holy life,?Nor needlessly be found in worldly strife;?That they themselves and households may maintain,?From the just proceeds of a righteous gain.?Let none be found so foolish or so base,?As to regard mechanics as a race?Devoid of intellect and common sense,?Who to true honor have no just pretence.?Our ranks can boast of one far higher name?Than e'er was found in other paths of fame.?This, my assertion, may to many prove?A puzzle great, while puzzles they do love.?Cheer up, ye poor mechanics! and pursue?Your lowly trades, and Heaven keep still in view.
Ye who have naught to boast save rank and wealth,?Look round you openly--or look by stealth;?See what our factories have done for you--?And for the world--whichever side you view!?Without them, Ocean ne'er would bear a sail?To catch the breeze, or fly before the gale;?Without them, where could we obtain the Press--?That mightiest engine in the universe??Take it away, and we should back be thrown?Into dark ages, which would Science drown.?While all the household comforts that we boast?Would disappear, and be forever lost!?Such thoughts as these would ramble through the brain?Of our apprentice, while he did maintain?A due respect for those above him placed,?And kept these things within his mind encased.
Let none suppose that he his trade pursued?Without exposure to temptations rude.?In that small shop he found a vicious youth,?Who feared not God, nor yet regarded truth:?One who deep drank, who gambled, swore and lied?Most awfully; nor can it be denied,?Some other practices he did pursue?Which, I would hope, he long has learned to rue.?'Twas well for WILLIAM that this vicious youth?Was, undisguisedly, averse to truth;?That, in attempting to sow evil seeds,?He made no secret of his foulest deeds.?Howe'er it was, our hero stood his ground,?In such sad vices never was he found.?He now acknowledges 'twas God's rich grace?Kept him from falling in that dangerous place.?And, from his heart, that goodness would adore?Which did preserve him 'midst such trials sore.?"Evil communications," God declares,?"Corrupt good manners." Who then boldly dares?To say their influence will not be seen?In those who long exposed to them have been??For, well we know, the unregenerate mind?Is proper soil wherein to seek and find?The seeds of latent evil, which may spring--?And springing, grow, till they destruction bring.?Even