CARE and GENEROSITY. A FABLE. Christopher Smart Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T42626 K041581.000 Smart, Christopher, 1722-1771. Poems on several occasions: By Christopher Smart, A. M. Fellow of Pembroke-Hall, Cambridge. London printed for the author, by W. Strahan; and sold by J. Newbery, at the Bible and Sun, in St. Paul’s Church-Yard, MDCCLII. 1752 pp. 213-215. [16],230p.,plates; 4⁰.

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CARE and GENEROSITY . A FABLE . OLD Care with Industry and Art , At length so well had play'd his Part ; He heap'd up such an ample store , That Av'rice cou'd not sigh for more : Ten thousand flocks his shepherd told , His coffers overflow'd with Gold ; The land all round him was his own , With corn his crouded granaries groan . In short so vast his charge and gain , That to possess them was a pain ; With happiness oppress'd he lies , And much too prudent to be wise . Near him there liv'd a beauteous maid , With all the charms of youth array'd ; Good , amiable , sincere and free , Her name was Generosity . 'Twas hers the largess to bestow On rich and poor , on friend and foe . Her doors to all were open'd wide , The pilgrim there might safe abide : For th' hungry and the thirsty crew , The bread she broke , the drink she drew ; There Sickness laid her aching head , And there Distress cou'd find a bed . — Each hour with an all-bounteous hand , Diffused she blessings round the land : Her gifts and glory lasted long , And numerous was th' accepting throng . At length pale Penury seiz'd the dame , And Fortune fled , and Ruin came , She found her riches at an end , And that she had not made one friend . — All cursed her for not giving more , Nor thought on what she'd done before ; She wept , she rav'd , she tore her hair , When lo ! to comfort her came Care . — And cry'd , my dear , if you will join , Your hand in nuptial bonds with mine ; All will be well — you shall have store , And I be plagu'd with Wealth no more . — Tho' I restrain your bounteous heart , You still shall act the generous part . — The Bridal came — great was the feast , And good the pudding and the priest ; The bride in nine moons brought him forth A little maid of matchless worth : Her face was mix'd of Care and Glee , They christen'd her Oeconomy ; And styled her fair Discretion's Queen , The mistress of the golden mean . Now Generosity confin'd , Is perfect easy in her mind ; She loves to give , yet knows to spare , Nor wishes to be free from Care .