The Bankrupt; Or, Advice to the Insolvent

The Bankrupt; Or, Advice to the Insolvent. - A Poem, addressed to a friend, with other pieces

Oft have you prayd me, when in youth, Never to err from paths of truth; But youth to vice is much too prone, And mine by far too much, I own. Induced to riot, swear, and game, I thought in vice tacquire a fame; But found the poisning scenes of riot Soon robbd my mind of joy and quiet. The usual course of rakes I ran, The dupe of woman and of man. Careless of fortunes smile or frown, My desk I left tenjoy the town, At folly dashd in wisdoms spite, Idled by day, revelld by night: p. 4But short was the delusive scene, And I awoke to sorrow keen. Debt pressd on debt: I could not pay, And found that credit had its day. No friend to aid, what should I do? I made bad worse: to liquor flew: For when my bill-book I surveyd, I shrunk, as if Id seen my shade; And to drive terror from my mind, Drank on, and care gave to the wind: But wine nor words can charm away The bankers clerk who comes for pay. Payment is pressd, the cash is gone: Too late I cry, What must be done? Horror! a docket struck appears: I look aghast, my wifes in tears. The naked truth now stares me in the face, And shows me more than one disgrace. My keys a messenger demands; While, as a culprit often stands, The humbled bankrupt lowers his view, And sees the law its work pursue. Soon comes of all his goods the sale, Which, like light straw before a gale, p. 5The hammer-man puffs clean away, And cries, They must be sold this day. They are so, and Ill tell you how: At loss youll readily allow. Then comes the tedious, humbling task, To answer all commissners ask; And those who mean to act most fair Will at first meeting eer appear, To questions askd will answer true, And clearly state accounts to view. A second he need not attend, But if not may perhaps offend. Happy the man who then can lay His hand upon his heart, and say, You all my books and deeds may scan: Im honest, though distressed man. My own just wants, and losses great, Have brought me to this low estate. Then comes the last dread meeting on, Dreadful to such as will act wrong, And through dishonesty or shame Evasive answers tempt to frame: For vain his shifts; howeer he try, He cant elude the searching eye Of lawyers, wholl in all things pry: p. 6His private foibles een must out Grievous exposure tis no doubt! And if hes fraudlent found, must go To witness scenes of vice and woe; Of liberty deprived, to wail His faults and folly in a gaol: But should his conduct seem least fair, Englands blest laws will set him clear; Not only so, but means will give Tenable him again to live: For such the law, that when tis found Theres fifteen shillings in the pound, A handsome drawback hes allowd, When, stead of shamed, he may look proud; And be his divdend eer so low, Theyll never let him coinless go. Yes, be it eer a Britons pride, That mercy in his courts preside. But eer hes paid, he must await Tobtain a fair certificate. Some cases there however are Which, at first view, may seem severe: Suppose his creditors are ten; Four sign, the rest refuse: what then? p. 7If their demand exceed the four Theyll keep the bankrupt in their powr; And although he has all resignd, If unproved debts remain behind, Inhuman creditors then may His body into prison lay, Where oft the wretch, to sooth his grief, In dissipation seeks relief. Sometimes a parent may prevent Unmeaningly the laws intent; And mercless creditors decline The hapless debtors deed to sign, In hopes the father may one day The long-neglected sons debts pay. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 32275
Author: Parkerson, James
Release Date: May 6, 2010
Format: eBook
Language: English