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FABLE [27] XXVII.
The Sick Man and the Angel.
1 Is there no hope? the sick Man said.
2 The silent doctor shook his head,
3 And took his leave, with signs of sorrow,
4 Despairing of his fee to-morrow.
5 When thus the Man, with gasping breath.
6 I feel the chilling wound of death.
[Page 91]7 Since I must bid the world adieu;
8 Let me my former life review.
9 I grant, my bargains well were made.
10 But all men over-reach in trade;
11 'Tis self-defence in each profession,
12 Sure self-defence is no transgression.
13 The little portion in my hands,
14 By good security on lands,
15 Is well encreas'd. If unawares,
16 My justice to my self and heirs,
17 Hath let my debtor rot in jail,
18 For want of good sufficient bail;
19 If I by writ, or bond, or deed
20 Reduc'd a family to need,
21 My will hath made the world amends;
22 My hope on charity depends.
23 When I am number'd with the dead,
24 And all my pious gifts are read,
25 By heav'n and earth 'twill then be known
26 My charitys were amply shown.
27 An Angel came. Ah friend, he cry'd,
28 No more in flatt'ring hope confide.
29 Can thy good deeds in former times
30 Outweigh the ballance of thy crimes?
31 What widow or what orphan prays
32 To crown thy life with length of days?
33 A pious action's in thy power,
34 Embrace with joy the happy hour;
35 Now, while you draw the vital air,
36 Prove your intention is sincere:
37 This instant give a hundred pound;
38 Your neighbours want, and you abound.
39 But why such haste, the sick Man whines,
40 Who knows as yet what Heav'n designs?
41 Perhaps I may recover still.
42 That sum and more are in my will.
43 Fool, says the Vision, now 'tis plain,
44 Your life, your soul, your heav'n was gain;
45 From ev'ry side, with all your might,
46 You scrap'd, and scrap'd beyond your right,
[Page 93]47 And after death would fain attone,
48 By giving what is not your own.
49 While there is life, there's hope, he cry'd;
50 Then why such haste? so groan'd and dy'd.
Source edition
Gay, John, 1685-1732. FABLES. By Mr. GAY. London: Printed for J. Tonson and J. Watts, MDCCXXVII., 1727, pp. 90-93. [14],173,[1]p.: ill.; 4°. (ESTC T13818)
Editorial principles
Typography, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation have been cautiously modernized. The source of the text is given and all significant editorial interventions have been recorded in textual notes. This ECPA text has been edited to conform to the recommendations found in Level 5 of the Best Practices for TEI in Libraries version 4.0.0.
Other works by John Gay
- [FABLE ] INTRODUCTION TO THE FABLES. The Shepherd and the Philosopher. ()
- FABLE [01] I. The Lyon, the Tyger, and the Traveller. ()
- FABLE [02] II. The Spaniel and the Cameleon. ()
- FABLE [03] III. The Mother, the Nurse, and the Fairy. ()
- FABLE [04] IV. The Eagle, and the Assembly of Animals. ()
- FABLE [05] V. The Wild Boar and the Ram. ()
- FABLE [06] VI. The Miser and Plutus. ()
- FABLE [07] VII. The Lyon, the Fox, and the Geese. ()
- FABLE [08] VIII. The Lady and the Wasp. ()
- FABLE [09] IX. The Bull and the Mastiff. ()
- FABLE [10] X. The Elephant and the Bookseller. ()
- FABLE [11] XI. The Peacock, the Turkey, and Goose. ()
- FABLE [12] XII. Cupid, Hymen, and Plutus. ()
- FABLE [13] XIII. The tame Stag. ()
- FABLE [14] XIV. The Monkey who had seen the World. ()
- FABLE [15] XV. The Philosopher and the Pheasants. ()
- FABLE [16] XVI. The Pin and the Needle. ()
- FABLE [17] XVII. The Shepherd's Dog and the Wolf. ()
- FABLE [18] XVIII. The Painter who pleased No body and Every body. ()
- FABLE [19] XIX. The Lyon and the Cub. ()
- FABLE [20] XX. The Old Hen and the Cock. ()
- FABLE [21] XXI. The Rat-catcher and Cats. ()
- FABLE [22] XXII. The Goat without a beard. ()
- FABLE [23] XXIII. The Old Woman and her Cats. ()
- FABLE [24] XXIV. The Butterfly and the Snail. ()
- FABLE [25] XXV. The Scold and the Parrot. ()
- FABLE [26] XXVI. The Cur and the Mastiff. ()
- FABLE [28] XXVIII. The Persian, the Sun and the Cloud. ()
- FABLE [29] XXIX. The Fox at the point of death. ()
- FABLE [30] XXX. The Setting-dog and the Partridge. ()
- FABLE [31] XXXI. The Universal Apparition. ()
- FABLE [32] XXXII. The two Owls and the Sparrow. ()
- FABLE [33] XXXIII. The Courtier and Proteus. ()
- FABLE [34] XXXIV. The Mastiffs. ()
- FABLE [35] XXXV. The Barley-mow and the Dung-hill. ()
- FABLE [36] XXXVI. Pythagoras and the Countryman. ()
- FABLE [37] XXXVII. The Farmer's Wife and the Raven. ()
- FABLE [38] XXXVIII. The Turkey and the Ant. ()
- FABLE [39] XXXIX. The Father and Jupiter. ()
- FABLE [40] XL. The two Monkeys. ()
- FABLE [41] XLI. The Owl and the Farmer. ()
- FABLE [42] XLII. The Jugglers. ()
- FABLE [43] XLIII. The Council of Horses. ()
- FABLE [44] XLIV. The Hound and the Huntsman. ()
- FABLE [45] XLV. The Poet and the Rose. ()
- FABLE [46] XLVI. The Cur, the Horse, and the Shepherd's Dog. ()
- FABLE [47] XLVII. The Court of Death. ()
- FABLE [48] XLVIII. The Gardener and the Hog. ()
- FABLE [49] XLIX. The Man and the Flea. ()
- FABLE [50] L. The Hare and many Friends. ()