If, my youthful brother.
Thou art low and poor,
Tell't not to another,
He may pass thy door:
If thou would'st have prosperity,
Conceal from men thy poverty.
Should'st thou, youthful brother,
Find misfortunes rife
Tell't not to another,
Bear alone the strife:
With reproof thy friend may grieve thee,
And in thy distress may leave thee.
Act thou thus, my brother:
When life's ills descend,
Trust not to another,
On thyself depend;
And thou wilt soon successful be,
Then men will praise and honour thee.
