severe;
Suppose his creditors are ten;
Four sign, the rest refuse: what then?
If their demand exceed the four
They'll keep the bankrupt in their pow'r;
And although he has all resign'd,
If unproved debts remain behind,
Inhuman creditors then may
His body into prison lay,
Where oft the wretch, to sooth his grief,
In dissipation seeks relief.
Sometimes a parent may prevent
Unmeaningly the law's intent;
And merc'less creditors decline
The hapless debtor's deed to sign,
In hopes the father may one day
The long-neglected son's debts pay.
The Lawyer and the Auctioneer,
Plunges all parties in despair;
When Creditors their bills do see,
Each sighing say nought's left for me.

AN ADDRESS
TO THE
INSOLVENT.

Embarress'd man be just and true,
Insolvent acts releases you;
I mean your person from a jail,
Tho' keen reproach the man assail.
Take my advice when e'er you find,
Misfortunes canker in your mind;
Resign your trade give up your store,
For going on will hurt you more.
When e'er you find you cannot pay,
Your trade give up without delay;
Too apt we are when cares oppress,
To liquor fly to make them less.
Many I fear from business stray,
Soon as they find they cannot pay;
Others to prisons frequent fly,
To waste their time in luxury.
Painful sensations are their doom,
When they behold a prison's gloom;
Do not suppose I mean there are,
But few in prisons that act fair.
Yes, I should hope not one in ten,
Pursue a base ungenerous plan.
If it's your fate to be confin'd,
Enter a jail with fervent mind;
To give up all were all is due,
And virtue's course through life pursue.
Abstain from drinking, or you'll find,
Doing such things disturb the mind;
Think of your wife and view the tear,
That start from her caus'd by despair.
A prison's horrors shake her frame,
When she at entrance say her name;
Perhaps an infant in her arms,
Raise in your mind grief's quick alarms.
Sometimes an aged father flies,
To see you there before he dies;
Likely a tender mother say,
My son I'll see without delay.
Each brings affections sighs and tears,
With throbbing hearts and thousand fears;
Perhaps their little all they give,
That you from prison quickly live.
A brother comes a brother say,
I cannot from you keep away;
Take my