1 188
2 TV.
3 Tim curing virtues which in med'cines dwell
4 Should in disease alone ho in request;
5 If you resort to them when you are well,
6 You may expect them to disturb your rest.
7 Besides, you rob them of their power disease to quell.
8 If in your .service they are idly pressed ;
9 They who would .not medicaments forestall,
10 Should take in health no medicines at till.
11 By tinctures, powders mixtures, draughts, and pills.
12 A hole man always undermines his strength ;
13 Tnys the foundation for a host of ills.
14 Which take awny from life degrees of length .
15 MeiCoine not needed, many a person kills,
16 Which, kept till wanted, might, give health and strength :
17 He who a sink-hole of his hotly makes,
18 Decided steps for its destruction takes.
19 ■vi.
20 Those are mistaken who in every Spring
21 And Autumn fancy that they physic need ;
22 Nature relieves herself; both man and tiling
23 Arc subject, to her laws: to purge'and bleed
24 For custom’s sake, what is it hut to llitig
25 Health, strength, and life away? Blockhead indeed
26 Ts he, who swallows med'cines he does not require ;
27 hong ere his time, shall such a dunce expire.
28 VII.
29 He who would spend an aged life in wise,
30 Must, in his habits, keep within due measure ;
31 In labor, food, arid sleep, tlm medium seize,
32 , In wine and "women take not too much pleasure.
33 Such was the counsel of Hippocrates,
34 "Who thought good health was an important treasure:
35 And, at the age of six score years, expired,
36 Loved, honDied, reverenced, and much admired.