Poems (Campbell)/To a Wealthy Man

TO A WEALTHY MAN.

Go, man of wealth! and seek the shade
Where Sickness' pining form is laid;
Where honest worth neglected lies,
And wasted sorrow droops and dies.

Go, raise the mourner's drooping head,
And round his dwelling comfort shed;
Go, hush pale mis'ry's doleful cry,
Assuage the tear, and hush the sigh.

Go, bring yon weary wand'rer here,
Where peace and plenty crown the year;
Go, bid his woes and wand'rings cease,
And close his aged eyes in peace.

Go, soothe the pang yon widow feels,
That o'er her babe despairing kneels;
Say, that her children thou'lt protect,
Nor e'en the mother's woes neglect.

Go, tell yon trembling orphan pale,
At ev'ry door that sobs her tale,
Thy wealth shall yield a parent's home,
Nor future wants compel to roam.

Go, search the prison's noisome cell,
Where guilt, disease, and anguish dwell;
Where suff'ring innocence complains,
And man, thy fellow, walks in chains!

There set the pining debtor free,
And blessings shall be pour'd on thee;
Relieve each want, console each care,
And blunt the sorrows of despair.

So may thy bosom ne'er repine,
So may sweet peace be ever thine;
Unnumber'd joys thy life attend,
Virtue thy guide, and God thy friend!

So, long and happy may'st thou live,
With all the bliss that life can give;
And die a death devoid of fear,
And leave a name to thousands dear!