WITHIN THE MEANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 636, 25 November 1865, Page 5

WITHIN THE MEANS.

(FROM "nOUSEHOr.D WOBDJ.' , ) As thou lov'?t freedom, aud preferrest peace, And ratest independence above price, As thou (lost value an unsoiled name. And ftim'st at tnie respectability. Give not desire tho rein, nor ran tho race with everj ostentatious challenger. Keckon thine income keep oxponsc irithin, And be not anxious for appearances; Content thongh thou be last in fashion s raco, The praiFO or blame of fools is little worth, And if thou art poor. 'Tis better far W livo Courageou-sly, as honest poor man should, Than sneak unbidden in at rich men's doori As wealthier than thon art. 'Tia better shine Feebly a dim and all-unnoticed star, Than, rocket-like, go blazing up the sky. And rush to ruin. oh| boware of debt . It crushes out the monliood of & intin, Kobs his bright eyo of boldness, cheats hie Umb» Of elasticity, unnerves his hand. Beclouds his Judgment, dulls his intellect, rcrils hie uprightness, and stains his name, And minifies him to his fellow men, Yea, far worso, degradation, to himself. Who hath the hurried step, tho anxious eyo; Avoids tho public haunt and open street; And anxious waits for evening? Restlessly Tos«es upon his bed, and dreads tb' approach o°tii' the tell-tale morning sunlight ? Who unmanned Starts at the sudden knock, and shrinks with dread E'en at his own shadow; shuns with caro Tho stranger's look, skulks from his fellow s glance, And sees in every man a creditor? The debtor—he is only half a man, lie Baddens and estranges his chief friends, Burdens his dearest relatives; ho hears In vain tho stranger's talc, the widow's prayer, And sends away tho orphan all unalmsed. None dares to place him in a post of trust, And business men regard him with a shrug. If thou art wooing, iriend, howaro, boivare, Can countervail a wifo's extravagance. « Owe no man aught." Stand in the world erect, And lean alone upon thyself and God. W habitual borrower will be ever round Wicked or weak, or both. Sweat, study, ttlnt. Ten. rather anything than meanly owe. LeUWne owThoueft hands feed thce and thiue, And, I', not thy frlend'i purse, at loast r«jpeo! Thin* <r*n ■*«« Indepeadonae.