Mediocrity

IN a neighbourly way, with an honest man's fame,
Unoffending, I hope to succeed;
Attend if you please, if you're pleas'd with a name,
Imprimis, let Probity lead.

Be careful to keep on Humility's side,
Nor ever lose Gratitude's view;
Obey not the Envy of Pique nor of Pride,
Nor pilfer from Merit its due.

Be assur'd that Esteem is a noble Estate,—
Let not a fond smile make you proud;
Nor rail at Men merely because they are Great,
Be not dup'd by the Roar of a Croud.

Shun Flattery's phrase, let not Promise allure,
Nor dangle for Dinners in Taste;
Forget not old Friends, tho' perhaps they are poor,
Nor make new Acquaintance in haste.

Oh! suffer not Interest, Friendship to wean,
Accept not Servility's treat;
Nor silently witness Iniquity's scene,
But open at once on Deceit.

Remember Yourself, spare the shame of your Friend,
Nor carry your Wit to excess;
With Spirit the Cause of the Absent defend,
And shrink not your arm from Distress.

Oppress not the Low, nor be High People's Slave,
Nor ever despair nor be vain;
Howe'er inconsistent the World may behave,
Mediocrity ever maintain.

His views let Ambition extend o'er the State,
Let Avarice gluttonize Wealth;
No Nabobs I wish for, I wou'd not be great,
I only ask humbly for Health.

How chearful, in Health, will my latter days pass,
Unenvy'd, unenvying live;
With the Friends I have prov'd, and my fav'rite Lass,
And PRACTICE THE PRECEPTS I GIVE.