Read "The Convict's Farewell: with Advice to Criminals, Before and After Trial" by James Parkerson online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Vile men, abstain from every artful plan, When found out disgrace the name of man; Let those who steal, repent and sin no more, Ere Law decrees, it's vengeance on them pour: From trifling things, we greater ills pursue, Till the Law's fangs are brought within our view; Stop, stop bad courses, ere it be too late, And justice dooms you to a culprit's fate.
Riots avoid, tho' mischief none you do, Your being at them, brings a stain on you; Those who look on, will afterwards repent, And share alike in point of punishment: The Law expressly properly declare, He adds to tumult, that is present there; Take my advice, let reason bear her sway, From scenes of discord, always keep away; You'd think it hard, a worthless savage crew, Should gain by plunder, all your goods from you: The worst of men are foremost on a plan, To gain by rapine, every way they can; Do you suppose, that wasting other's store, Can ease the hardships of the labouring poor; No such a course, our present ills increase, And robs the Nation of its inward peace.