Against Evil Company
Against Evil Company
Original Text
I. Watts, Divine Songs Attempted in Easy Language for the Use of CHILDREN (London: M. Lawrence, 1715), Song XXI, p. 30. See facsimile reproduction, with introduction by J. H. P. Pafford (London: Oxford University Press, 1971), p. 178. PR 3763 W37 A65 1971 Robarts Library.
1Why should I join with those in Play,
2 In whom I've no delight,
3Who curse and swear, but never pray,
4 Who call ill Names, and fight.
5I hate to hear a wanton Song,
6 Their Words offend my Ears:
7I should not dare defile my Tongue
8 With Language such as theirs.
9Away from Fools I'll turn my Eyes,
10 Nor with the Scoffers go;
11I would be walking with the Wise,
12 That wiser I may grow.
13From one rude Boy that's us'd to mock
14 Ten learn the wicked Jest;
15One sickly Sheep infects the Flock,
16 And poysons all the rest.
Publication Start Year
1715
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 1998.
Rhyme