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WOES OF INTEMPERANCE. 17
3 The wife worse than widowed, forlorn and heart-bro-
ken, While hunger and want make her little ones cry; All trembling and pale, hears the terrible token Of anguish, the steps of her husband are nigh!
4 Those sounds once she caught with unspeakable glad-
ness, While lit with affection her eye brightly shone, Now sunken, her bosom o'er burdened with sadness, Like the funeral knell or the dirge's low moan !
5 He comes ! See he comes! But no fond salutation,
Breaks forth from his lips which once murmured of love: Those eyes, once accustomed to smile approbation, Look dark as the storm-cloud which musters above;
6 With oaths and reproaches he vents his displeasure,
And smites the frail form he is bound to protect: Her tears and entreaties avail in no measure; He treats them with scorn or with cruel neglect.
7 His babes who once crowded around for his blessing,
Or sat gaily prating for joy on his knee, Familiar with blows in the place of caressing, Away from their father instinctively flee.
8 Oh ! the withering curse, and the ruin appalling,
Which Alcohol wreaks on a suffering world! Let the people's rebuke, like hot thunder-bolts falling, Shower fierce on the fiend till from earth he is hurled!
17 L. M.
1 VAIN man on foolish pleasure bent, Prepares for his own punishment. What pains, what loathsome maladies. From luxury and lust arise.
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