JT-18-ON MY NEW PEN.

ON MY NEW PEN.

You now are new, you look quite fair,
But you are formed for toil and care;
You soon must plunge within that ocean,
Where you must swim in vast commotion!
Your fate’s unknown, but I will say,
You’ll meet with tempests in the way
Unless you sail with every tide,
And make each veering wind your guide,

Surrounding hosts of furious foes,
Will from afar, your course oppose;
And all combine to sink and drown you.
And in the deep with vengeance frown you,

One thing that augurs ill, I think,--
You’re doom’d to dabble in the ink!
The task that seems laid out for you,
Is quite unpleasant--painful too.

If you intend to be correct,
The faults of men you must detect,
And tell them of their sins and blunders,
In melting strains, and loud as thunders,

Like maddened bees they’ll then arise,
And sting you deep, your words despise.
For your advice they’ll loudly blame you--
Misrepresent and much defame you.
My dear young friend, now let me say,
You’d better tread the beaten way;
And never fail all men to flatter,
If right, or wrong, that makes no matter,

Look o’er their faults, and let them be,
What others do is naught to thee.
Go join yourself to some big creed,
And that will license every deed;
Your friends will then in swarms surround you,
And priestly ease and wealth abound you,
The world will then admire the feather,
Caress and praise you altogether!
When you behold the priests’ corruptions,
And all their craft and interruptions,
Say not a word against their plan,
But join the most applauded clan;
Be priest yourself that interest take,
And then be mute for conscience’ sake;
You’ll find it will your store increase,
To shear the flock and take the fleece,

Pen up your fold within their bounds,
Nor let them tread forbidden grounds!
Go feed them on old Popish stuff,
On men’s inventions, huge and rough,
And swell them up with pride and fashion,
And give them John’s or Martin’s ration!
They’ll scarcely then suspect you wrong,
But loudly praise you in the throng,

They’ll love, and fear, strictly obey you,
And for your service richly pay you.
Now take my word, while you are young,
Lest you be beaten, bruis’d and stung.
And if you will be wayward led,
You may too late think what I’ve said.
To this the pen in warmth replied,
Thou hypocrite and worse beside,
To try to lead me from the truth,
And make me Devil in my youth,
Your sage advice I must despise,
And deem it fruitless and unwise;

I heard it with surprise and horror,
It fill’d my soul with grief and sorrow.
I see mankind by priests are blinded,
But few sincere and honest minded,

They’ve made religion cloak to hide,
The works of darkness, sin and pride.
I will not crowd their beaten way,
But tell them they are gone astray.

I’ll take the word of God in hand,
And on that rock by faith I’ll stand,
And loud oppose the priests’ inventions,
Their numerous creeds, and bad intentions.
And though I should be quite alone,
And represented sad, forlorn;
Though priests should rise in hosts around me,
They shall not daunt, nor once confound me.

I’ll try to teach the truth, and say,
Beware of priests, their craft and way,
Their orthodox is now astray!

I care not what they say of me,
I was a quill, and quill I’ll be,
I’ll mark their faults--their faults I’ll scribble,
Though they may rage and loudly quibble;

I will not seek my future fame,
Nor sink at censure on my name;
I’ll speak in prose and various measure,
Without regard to earthly treasure.