Fragments for Alma: Yet Happy Human Race My Friend

Yet happy Human race my Friend
Did here the sickly madness end.
But Mitis troubl'd half the nation
About his Offsprings Education ;
And urg'd by some unhappy fate
Gave him Two Thirds of his Estate
To settle the sad Wretch in Mariage
(This of his life the Sole Miscariage)
Yet Hopeful counts his Fathers Years,
And blames the Sloth of Clotho's Sheers ;
That thus protracts the long wish'd death ;
Of whom ? the Man who gave him breath,
Say this, and the ill jesting Calf
Replyes ye with an impious laugh
His Mother help'd, and he cou'd spare
Her too, from all this Worldly care :
Were She, good Soul, but once in Heav'n
Her Jointure wou'd set matters even.
Wou'd Fate this double Blessing give
A happy Orphan he shou'd Live.