uthors_ more from _Truth_ may gain
Than from tropes that please in vain;
_Arts_ will less than _Virtues_ tend
_Happiness_ and _Life_ to blend;
He that _Happiness_ wou'd get
_Prudence_ more must prize than _Wit_,
More than _Riches_ rosy _Health_,
Blameless _Quiet_ more than _Wealth_.
Nought to _owe_, and nought to _hoard_,
Little _Land_ and little _Board_,
Little _Fav'rite_, true and kind,
These are blessings to my mind.
I, when winter comes, desire
Little _Room_ but plenteous _Fire_,
Temp'rate _Glasses_, gen'rous _Wine_,
_Dishes few_ whene'er I dine.
Yes, my sober thoughts are such,
Man must never have _too_ much;
_Not too much_ ... What solid sense.
Three such little words dispense!
Too much _Rest_ benumbs the mind;
Too much _Strife_ distracts mankind;
Too much _Negligence_ is _Sloth_;
Too much _Zeal_ is _Folly's_ growth;
Too much _Love_ our peace annoys,
Too much _Physic_ life destroys;
Too much _Cunning's_ fraudful art,
Too much _Firmness_ want of heart
Too much _sparing_ makes a knave;
Those are _rash_ that are _too_ brave;
Too much _Wealth_ like weight oppresses;
Too much _Fame_ with care distresses;
Too much _Pleasure_ death will bring,
Too much _Wit's_ a dang'rous thing;
Too much _Trust_ is folly's guide,
Too much _Spirit_ is but pride;
He's a dupe that is _too free_,
Too much _Bounty_ weak must be;
Too much _Complaisance_ a knave,
Too much _Zeal to please_ a slave.
This TOO MUCH, tho' bad it seem,
Chang'd with ease to good you deem;
But in this you err my friend,
For on _Trifles_ all depend.
Trifles great effects produce,
Both of pleasure and of use;
Trifles often turn the scale,
When in love or law we fail;
Trifles to the great commend,
Trifles make proud beauty bend;
Trifles prompt the poet's strain,
Trifles oft distract the brain;
Trifles, trifles more or less,
Give us, or withhold success;
Trifles, when we _hope_, can cheer,
Trifles smite us when we fear:
All the flames that lovers know,
Trifles quench and trifles blow.

N. B. This little poem is sold for 6d. sterl. in London, and 3d. here.

_Amer. Mag. and Mo. Chron._, I-440, June 1758, Phila.

ON READING IN THE PUBLICK PAPERS, OF
A LADY THAT HAD ORDER'D THE KING OF