1 188
2 IV.
3 The curing virtues which in med’cines dwell,
4 Should in disease alone be 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 all.
11 By tinctures, powders, mixtures, draughts, and pills,
12 A hale man always undermines his strength ;
13 Lays the foundation for a host of ills,
14 Which take away from life degrees of length :
15 Med ’cine not needed, many a person kills,
16 Which, kept till wanted, might give health and strength ;
17 He who a sink-hole of his body 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 thing
23 Are subject to her laws ; to purge and bleed
24 For custom’s sake, what is it but to fling
25 Health, strength, and life away ? Blockhead indeed
26 Is he, who swallows med’cines he does not require ;
27 Long ere his time, shall such a dunce expire.
28 VII.
29 He who would spend an aged life in ease,
30 Must, in his habits, keep within due measure ;
31 In labor, food, and sleep, the medium seize,
32 In wine and women take not too much pleas ure.
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, honored, reverenced, and much admired.